I. Illinois ' Forest Resources 1

Illinois forests have many recreation and wildlife benefits. In addition, over 32,000 people are employed in primary and secondary wood processing and manufacturing. The net volume of growing stock has increased by 40 percent since 1962, a reversal of the trend from 1948 to 1962. The volume of elms has continued to decrease due to Dutch elm disease, but red and white oaks, along with black walnut, have increased by 38 to 54 percent since 1962. The area of forest land in Illinois is approximately 5.3 million acres and represents 15 % of the total land area of the state (Figure 1). Illinois ’ forests are predominately hardwoods, with 90 % of the total timberland area classified as hardwood forest types (Figure 2). The primary hardwood forest types in the state are oak-hickory, at 65 % of all timberland, elm-ash-cottonwood at 23%, and maple-beech which covers 2 % o