Forest Health Programs in the Northeast

Ownership of Maine’s forested land has remained stable since 1960. Almost all— approximately 93 percent—of the State’s forest lands are privately owned, the majority being commercial timberland. Public ownership, including some reserved lands, has remained below 8 percent of the total forested area. The 1 percent that is federally owned encompasses the eastern portion of the White Mountain National Forest, most of which is in New Hampshire, and Acadia National Park. The latest Maine forest inventory estimated that there are approximately 17.6 million forested acres in the State. The forest resource is made up of a variety of forest species, over half of which is spruce and balsam fir; the other half is made up of maples, pines, hemlock, birch, beech, oak, and other hardwoods and softwoods