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Forestry Resources of ArkansasForests in Arkansas vary a great deal across the state can be divided into into four different regions: 1) the Delta; 2) the Ozarks; 3) the Ouachitas; and 4) the Southwest. In the Delta and Ozark regions mixtures hardwood species dominate the forests. In the Southwest region, loblolly pine is the leading species and short-leaf pine dominate the forests of the Ouachita region. The Delta Region. The region is best described as the alluvial plain of the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers that extends from Missouri south to Louisiana. Although the Delta includes roughly a third of the state, only about 11 percent of the area is in forests. The remaining land base has been cleared for agriculture. Bottomland hardwood (elm, ash, cottonwood, oak, gum, and cypress) account for more than 2/3's of the timberland and oak-hickory stands account for another quarter. The St. Francis National Forest, at the south end of Crowley's Ridge, is the largest public ownership in the region. Nonindustrial private forest landowners own about 72% of the forest land in the Delta. The Ozark Region. The region encompasses the Ozark Plateau and the Boston Mountains in the northwestern corner of the state. Upland oak-hickory forests are the dominant forest type in the region. Roughly 20% of the forest land is in public ownership most of which is in the Ozark National Forest. Private landowners own more than 77 percent of the remaining forest land. The Ouachita Region. The Ouachita region extends west of the Delta northward to the Arkansas River and contains the eastern portion of the Ouachita Mountains. Loblolly and short-leaf pine and oak-pine forests occupy most of the forest land. Bottomland hardwood stands along the major stream and river systems comprise approximately 6% of the total forest land. The timber products industry has a long history in the Ouachitas and commercial industry still owns or leases about 22 percent of the timberland. This region is the second most important timber producing area in Arkansas. The Southwest Region. The Southwest region covers the southern part of Arkansas west of the Delta. This region can be called the "wood basket" of the state because it produces almost two-thirds of the annual timber harvest. Loblolly pine and mixed oak-pine stands cover more than 60% of the forest land in the region. Bottomland hardwood and oak-hickory stands comprise the remaining portion. Forest product industries own or lease at least half of the forest land in this region. Not surprisingly, most of the pine plantations in Arkansas have also been established in the region. The Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge is the largest public holding. To learn more about the forest situation in your county, including ownership and harvest trends, go to the Southern Research Station's web site. |
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