![[photo, Pines, Gunpowder Falls State Park, south of Bradshaw, Baltimore County, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/01glance/images/i005730a.jpg)
Over 160 native or naturalized tree species can be found in Maryland. Oak and hickory are the dominant hardwoods, making up 60 percent of forested areas. Loblolly pine, the predominant forest tree on the Eastern Shore, is the most prevalent softwood. Chief forest products are lumber, pulpwood, and piling. Income from forest products sold increased from $25.6 million in 2000 to $26.2 million in 2002.
In 1999, nearly 2.6 million acres (41%) of Maryland's land surface were forests, a 3 percent decrease in forest land since 1986 (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Forest Inventory, 1999).
Pines, Gunpowder Falls State Park, south of Bradshaw, Baltimore County, Maryland, October 2000. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Maryland has seven State forests. The State Forest and Park Service of the Department of Natural Resources oversees them along with four demonstration forests covering 136,907 acres. Demonstration forests show short- and long-term effects of sound forest and wildlife management practices.
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