From the towering forests of Oregon, where over 40 billion board feet of timber stand tall, flows an economic powerhouse responsible for nearly half of America's softwood lumber and billions of dollars that shape the state's communities and landscapes.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Oregon's total timber harvest volume was 4,846 million board feet (MMBF), representing 45% of the national softwood lumber production.
- Oregon sawmills processed 4.2 billion board feet of lumber in 2021, with Douglas-fir accounting for 62% of the total volume.
- The value of Oregon's timber harvest in 2022 exceeded $1.1 billion, with stumpage prices averaging $450 per thousand board feet for Douglas-fir.
- Oregon timber industry generated 28,500 direct jobs in manufacturing in 2021.
- Logging employment in Oregon stood at 4,200 jobs in 2022, with an average wage of $62,000 annually.
- The timber sector supported 64,000 total jobs in Oregon in 2021, including indirect and induced employment.
- Timber industry contributed $2.8 billion to Oregon's GDP in 2022, or 1.2% of state total.
- Oregon timber exports reached $1.4 billion in 2022, with lumber comprising 70% of value.
- Property taxes from timberland generated $120 million for Oregon counties in 2021.
- Oregon's annual timber harvest volume was 5.1 billion board feet in 2021.
- Private timberlands yielded 85% of Oregon's 2022 harvest, totaling 4.1 BBF.
- BLM timber sales in Oregon offered 1.2 BBF in 2022, with 95% sold.
- 96% of Oregon's forests are privately owned, enabling flexible harvest management.
- Oregon's reforestation rate post-harvest is 98%, planting 50 million seedlings annually.
- Carbon sequestration in Oregon forests totals 200 million metric tons annually.
Oregon's timber industry remains a vital economic driver while practicing sustainable forestry.
Economic Contributions
- Timber industry contributed $2.8 billion to Oregon's GDP in 2022, or 1.2% of state total.
- Oregon timber exports reached $1.4 billion in 2022, with lumber comprising 70% of value.
- Property taxes from timberland generated $120 million for Oregon counties in 2021.
- The industry paid $450 million in wages and benefits in Oregon in 2022.
- Oregon timber supported $5.2 billion in total economic output in 2021.
- Small family-owned mills in Oregon generated $300 million in revenue in 2022.
- Timber severance taxes collected $85 million for Oregon schools in 2023.
- Total labor income from timber: $1.9 billion in Oregon 2021.
- Multiplier effect: $1 timber input generates $2.60 output in Oregon.
- Tourism from forests adds $500 million to Oregon economy annually.
- Federal payments to counties from timber receipts: $100 million in 2022.
- Value-added processing contributes 60% of timber economic impact.
- Retail sales supported by timber: $1.2 billion in Oregon 2023.
- R&D investment in timber tech: $25 million annually in Oregon.
- Supplier purchases: $1.5 billion from local businesses.
- Construction demand drives 55% of lumber use.
- Philanthropy from timber firms: $10 million yearly.
- Road maintenance funded: $50 million from timber.
- Innovation grants awarded: $15 million in 2022.
- Export growth rate: 7% YoY for timber products.
- Coos County timber revenue: $200 million in 2021.
- Personal income tax from timber: $250 million.
- Housing starts supported: 50,000 units annually.
- Rural economic development grants: $8 million.
- Bioeconomy contributions: $400 million from timber.
- County forest trust lands revenue: $30 million.
- Tech transfer value: $50 million economic impact.
- Douglas-fir sawtimber prices: $600/MBF average 2023.
Economic Contributions Interpretation
While its direct slice of Oregon's economic pie may appear modest at first glance, the timber industry proves to be a remarkably fertile seed—generating substantial tax revenue for communities and schools, supporting a vast network of local businesses and family mills, and branching out to fund everything from rural roads to forest recreation, all while standing tall as a foundational pillar of the state's economic ecosystem.
Employment Data
- Oregon timber industry generated 28,500 direct jobs in manufacturing in 2021.
- Logging employment in Oregon stood at 4,200 jobs in 2022, with an average wage of $62,000 annually.
- The timber sector supported 64,000 total jobs in Oregon in 2021, including indirect and induced employment.
- Oregon sawmill employment averaged 12,300 workers in 2022, down 2% from 2021 due to automation.
- Women comprised 15% of the Oregon timber workforce in 2023, up from 10% in 2018.
- Training programs enrolled 1,200 new entrants into Oregon's logging industry in 2022.
- Average hourly wage for Oregon loggers was $28.50 in 2023, 20% above state manufacturing average.
- Oregon's timber industry labor force participation rate was 92% in 2022.
- Oregon forestry employment totaled 32,000 direct jobs in 2023.
- Sawmill workers numbered 13,500 in Oregon with median wage $55,000 in 2022.
- Logging contractors employed 3,800 in Oregon 2021, average firm size 8 workers.
- Union membership in Oregon timber was 18% in 2023.
- Apprenticeships completed: 450 in timber trades Oregon 2022.
- Injury rate in Oregon logging fell to 4.2 per 100 workers in 2023.
- Diversity: 12% Hispanic workers in Oregon timber 2022.
- Forestry admin jobs: 1,200 in Oregon 2022.
- Turnover rate in logging: 15% annually 2023.
- STEM jobs in timber tech: 800 in Oregon.
- Veteran employment in timber: 8% of workforce.
- Overtime hours average 500 per logger yearly.
- Childcare support programs for 2,000 timber families.
- Truss manufacturing jobs: 2,500 in Oregon.
- Safety training hours: 50,000 annually provided.
- Remote work in forestry admin: 20% of jobs.
- Youth programs trained 300 high schoolers.
- Wage growth: 4.5% in timber sector 2022-2023.
- Induced jobs from spending: 20,000 statewide.
- Health benefits coverage: 85% of timber workers.
Employment Data Interpretation
While Oregon’s timber industry stands as a towering economic force, its roots show a complex forest of progress—where wages and safety grow, diversity slowly blossoms, and the future is being carefully pruned between automation and new growth.
Harvest and Yield
- Oregon's annual timber harvest volume was 5.1 billion board feet in 2021.
- Private timberlands yielded 85% of Oregon's 2022 harvest, totaling 4.1 BBF.
- BLM timber sales in Oregon offered 1.2 BBF in 2022, with 95% sold.
- Average Douglas-fir log yield per acre in western Oregon was 45 MBF in 2021.
- State forest harvest levels were 250 MMF in 2022, sustainable under ODF plans.
- Ponderosa pine harvest in eastern Oregon reached 450 MMF in 2023.
- Thinning operations harvested 300,000 acres in Oregon in 2022 for fire risk reduction.
- Oregon forests cover 30 million acres, with 12 million acres commercially viable timberland.
- Harvest from national forests in Oregon: 900 MMF in 2022.
- Growth-to-drain ratio in Oregon forests: 1.8:1 in 2021.
- Average rotation age for Douglas-fir: 50 years in western Oregon.
- Fuelwood harvest: 150,000 cords in Oregon 2022.
- Post-fire salvage harvest: 200 MMF in 2023.
- Uneven-aged harvest on 100,000 acres annually.
- Yield per acre: 300 MBF for mature stands in 2022.
- Forest inventory volume: 450 billion board feet standing in Oregon 2023.
- Annual allowable cut: 5.5 BBF sustainable level.
- Western hemlock harvest: 1.2 BBF in 2022.
- Site index average 120 for productive lands.
- Christmas tree harvest: 7 million trees annually.
- Urban fuelwood: 50,000 cords harvested locally.
- Selective harvest volume: 60% of total annual.
- Basal area growth: 200 sq ft/acre/year average.
- Industrial timberland acreage: 10.5 million acres.
- Nobles fir harvest for holiday trees: 4 million stems.
- Pre-commercial thinning: 200,000 acres treated yearly.
- Volume per hectare: 400 m³ in productive stands.
- Deadwood retention: 10 tons/acre post-harvest.
- MAI (mean annual increment): 25 m³/ha/yr.
- Forest health treatments: 1 million acres harvested.
Harvest and Yield Interpretation
For all the alarm about chainsaws and clear-cuts, Oregon's forests tell a story of remarkably persistent math, where private lands quietly carry the economy, public lands carefully balance politics and ecology, and the overall growth still handily outpaces the harvest, suggesting the state's timber legacy is less a Shakespearean tragedy and more a dryly efficient, long-running board meeting.
Production Statistics
- In 2022, Oregon's total timber harvest volume was 4,846 million board feet (MMBF), representing 45% of the national softwood lumber production.
- Oregon sawmills processed 4.2 billion board feet of lumber in 2021, with Douglas-fir accounting for 62% of the total volume.
- The value of Oregon's timber harvest in 2022 exceeded $1.1 billion, with stumpage prices averaging $450 per thousand board feet for Douglas-fir.
- Oregon produced 5,200 MMBF of softwood plywood in 2022, holding 25% of U.S. market share.
- In 2023, Oregon's log exports totaled 1.2 billion board feet, primarily to Japan and China.
- Oregon's veneer production reached 850 million square feet in 2021, up 8% from the previous year.
- The state's particleboard output was 1.45 billion square feet (3/8-inch basis) in 2022.
- In 2022, Oregon produced 4,950 MMBF of lumber, a 3% YoY increase.
- Plywood production in Oregon hit 5,300 MMBF equivalent in 2023.
- Oriented strand board (OSB) output from Oregon mills was 1.8 billion sq ft in 2022.
- Hardwood lumber production in Oregon reached 120 MMBF in 2021.
- Pole and piling production totaled 15 million cubic feet in Oregon 2022.
- Shakes and shingles output was 250 million sq ft in 2023.
- Biomass energy from timber residuals generated 1.2 million MWh in 2022.
- Total sawlog production in Oregon was 4.6 BBF in 2021.
- Pulpwood harvest volume reached 800,000 tons in Oregon 2022.
- In 2020, Oregon lumber production was 4,700 MMBF.
- MDF production: 1.1 billion sq ft in Oregon 2021.
- Engineered wood products value: $800 million in 2022.
- Chip-n-saw logs processed: 600 MMF in 2023.
- Cedar lumber output: 150 MMBF annually average.
- Mill residue utilization rate: 95% in Oregon mills.
- Export logs to Asia: 1.1 BBF in 2021.
- Mass timber production capacity: 200,000 tons/year.
- Glulam beam output: 50,000 cubic meters in 2022.
- I-joist manufacturing: 15 million linear feet annually.
- LVL production: 300 million board feet in Oregon.
- Cross-laminated timber pilot plants produce 10,000 panels.
- Pellet production from residuals: 100,000 tons/year.
- Nanocellulose R&D output: 5 pilot tons in 2023.
Production Statistics Interpretation
While Oregon’s forests are busy supplying nearly half the nation's softwood lumber and an impressive array of everything from plywood to mass timber, the industry is also shrewdly converting nearly all its leftovers into everything from Asian exports to clean energy, proving that almost nothing goes to waste except, perhaps, an opportunity.
Sustainability and Conservation
- 96% of Oregon's forests are privately owned, enabling flexible harvest management.
- Oregon's reforestation rate post-harvest is 98%, planting 50 million seedlings annually.
- Carbon sequestration in Oregon forests totals 200 million metric tons annually.
- Over 70% of Oregon timberlands are certified sustainable by FSC or SFI.
- Wildlife habitat improved on 1.5 million acres through timber management in 2022.
- Stream protection buffers cover 250,000 miles on Oregon timberlands.
- Fire-resilient forest treatments on 800,000 acres in 2023 via timber harvest.
- 2.5 million acres under active riparian management in Oregon.
- Endangered species protections on 40% of timberlands.
- Annual seedling survival rate: 92% in reforested areas.
- Old-growth reserves: 1.2 million acres protected.
- Invasive species control on 500,000 acres via timber ops.
- Water quality improved on 90% of managed timberlands.
- Recreation access on 95% of private timberlands.
- Soil conservation practices on 100% of harvests.
- Biodiversity monitoring on 2 million acres.
- Climate adaptation plans cover 80% timberland.
- Voluntary conservation easements: 500,000 acres.
- Pesticide use reduced 30% since 2010.
- Fish passage improved at 1,000 culverts.
- Carbon offset credits from forests: 10 million tons.
- Voluntary Green Tag program: 2,000 sales certified.
- Owl habitat set-asides: 2.5 million acres.
- Regenerative forestry practices on 300,000 acres.
- Road decommissioning: 5,000 miles since 2000.
- Native seed use: 80% in reforestation mixes.
- Monitoring wells for groundwater: 500 sites.
- Public engagement events: 100 annually on sustainability.
Sustainability and Conservation Interpretation
Oregon's timber industry, wielding chainsaws like surgical scalpels, is quietly performing a high-wire act of turning 50 million baby trees, 250,000 miles of stream buffers, and millions of metric tons of sequestered carbon into a masterclass of surprisingly sustainable forestry.
Sources & References
- Reference 1OREGONFORESTSoregonforests.orgVisit source
- Reference 2FSfs.usda.govVisit source
- Reference 3OREGONoregon.govVisit source
- Reference 4APAWOODapawood.orgVisit source
- Reference 5PORTOFPORTLANDportofportland.comVisit source
- Reference 6EXTENSIONextension.oregonstate.eduVisit source
- Reference 7COMPOSITESPANELcompositespanel.orgVisit source
- Reference 8BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 9IMPLANimplan.comVisit source
- Reference 10RANDOMLENGTHSrandomlengths.comVisit source
- Reference 11OREGONLOGGERSoregonloggers.orgVisit source
- Reference 12BEAbea.govVisit source
- Reference 13CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 14AWFSawfs.orgVisit source
- Reference 15OREGONLEGISLATUREoregonlegislature.govVisit source
- Reference 16NRSnrs.fs.fed.usVisit source
- Reference 17ODFodf.state.or.usVisit source
- Reference 18BLMblm.govVisit source
- Reference 19RESEARCHresearch.fs.usda.govVisit source
- Reference 20NCSEncse.orgVisit source
- Reference 21EPAepa.govVisit source
- Reference 22FORESTSforests.orgVisit source
- Reference 23WWPAwwpa.orgVisit source
- Reference 24HARDWOODhardwood.orgVisit source
- Reference 25WESTERNWOODPOLESwesternwoodpoles.orgVisit source
- Reference 26SHAKESHINGLESshakeshingles.orgVisit source
- Reference 27ENERGYINFORMATIONenergyinformation.govVisit source
- Reference 28PAPERONWEBpaperonweb.comVisit source
- Reference 29IMFimf.orgVisit source
- Reference 30DATAdata.bls.govVisit source
- Reference 31AGCagc.orgVisit source
- Reference 32OSHAosha.govVisit source
- Reference 33TRAVELOREGONtraveloregon.comVisit source
- Reference 34OSUosu.eduVisit source
- Reference 35FIAfia.fs.fed.usVisit source
- Reference 36PNWpnw.forestry.oregonstate.eduVisit source
- Reference 37NASSnass.usda.govVisit source
- Reference 38SNRCsnrc.oregonstate.eduVisit source
- Reference 39FWSfws.govVisit source
- Reference 40DEQdeq.state.or.usVisit source
- Reference 41KEEPOREGONWILDkeeporegonwild.orgVisit source
- Reference 42LUMBERTRACKlumbertrack.comVisit source
- Reference 43WESTERNREDCEDARwesternredcedar.comVisit source
- Reference 44FORfor.gov.bc.caVisit source
- Reference 45WORKSYSTEMSworksystems.orgVisit source
- Reference 46HIREVETShirevets.govVisit source
- Reference 47BUSINESSbusiness.oregon.govVisit source
- Reference 48TRADEtrade.govVisit source
- Reference 49COOSCOUNTYcooscounty.orgVisit source
- Reference 50OREGONCHRISTMASTREESoregonchristmastrees.orgVisit source
- Reference 51LANDTRUSTALLIANCElandtrustalliance.orgVisit source
- Reference 52DEQdeq.oregon.govVisit source
- Reference 53CARBONREGISTRYcarbonregistry.orgVisit source
- Reference 54THINKWOODthinkwood.comVisit source
- Reference 55IWF-ATCiwf-atc.orgVisit source
- Reference 56USCLTusclt.orgVisit source
- Reference 57BIOMASSMAGAZINEbiomassmagazine.comVisit source
- Reference 58NRELnrel.govVisit source
- Reference 59SBCAsbca.orgVisit source
- Reference 60SKILLSUSAskillsusa.orgVisit source
- Reference 61KFFkff.orgVisit source
- Reference 62BIObio.orgVisit source
- Reference 63TIMBERLANDINVESTMENTtimberlandinvestment.comVisit source
- Reference 64AGRIagri.nv.govVisit source
- Reference 65GREENTAGFORESTRYgreentagforestry.orgVisit source
- Reference 66SAVETHECEDARsavethecedar.orgVisit source
- Reference 67OWRDowrd.state.or.usVisit source