All Kentuckians benefit from our trees and forests. Whether a dense stand of hardwoods in the east, a riparian forest along rivers in the west, or a stately bur oak in the Bluegrass, every Kentuckian will breathe the clean air, drink the clean water, enjoy the wildlife and use the products derived from our forests. Although the Division of Forestry serves landowners, communities and all Kentuckians by maintaining the health and productivity of our state's forests, it is important that all citizens be aware of the importance of this resource in order to ensure sustainability. The following facts about Kentucky's forests are a testament to their ecologic, economic and social importance.
General Facts:
* Kentucky has one of the most diverse hardwood species mix in the nation (second only to Florida).
* Forty-seven percent of Kentucky is forestland - that's 11.9 million acres of forests.
* Eighty-nine percent of Kentucky's forestland is owned by private landowners.
* Seventy-two percent of the forestland is composed of oak-hickory species.
Wildland Fire:
* Forest fires are a major threat to Kentucky's forests.
* The average number of wildland fires in Kentucky each year is 1,447.
* Arson is the No. 1 cause of wildland fires in Kentucky.
* The second leading cause of wildland fires is uncontrolled debris burning.
* Ninety-nine percent of all wildfires in Kentucky are caused by humans.
* The worst fire year in Kentucky in the last decade was 2001 with a total of 178,925 acres burned.
* Unlike the western United States, hand crews put out most of the wildland fires in Kentucky.
* Aircraft assistance is used only in extreme situations.
Timber Industry:
* More than $4.5 billion of revenue is generated annually from wood industries.
* Kentucky ranks second nationally in hardwood production.
* The top three species of lumber produced are white oak, yellow poplar and red oak.
* There are more than 3,500 forest industries in the state.
* Forest industries employ more than 30,000 Kentuckians.
* The Kentucky Forest Conservation Act requires the division to inspect all known commercial timber harvest operations statewide to ensure best management practices are implemented.
* Forest landowners work with state agencies on timber harvesting methods to protect streams and wetlands and to improve wildlife habitat.
Champion Trees:
* The tallest champion tree in the state is a Scarlet oak located in Bell County measuring 199 feet tall.
* The largest recorded champion tree in Kentucky is a Baldcypress in Fayette County. It is 328 inches (more than 27 feet) in circumference.
* The county with the most state champions is Fayette County with 17.
* The smallest champion is a smooth sumac with a circumference of 13 inches and is located at McConnell Springs in Fayette County.
* The Kentucky State Tree is the tulip poplar, also called yellow-poplar.
* The State Heritage Tree is the Kentucky coffeetree.
Fall Colors:
* Leaves change color as the amount of sunlight wanes and their fall brillance is determined not only by the genetic characteristics of the parents but by other environmental factors including temperature and soil moisture.
* Brillant fall colors occur when there is ample moisture, followed by dry, warm days and cool, frostless nights.
* Less vibrant colors occur after an early frost.
* Visit The Weather Channel's link to fall foliage at http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/fallfoliage/.
* Visit About.com's site on Fall Foliage in the Southeast Peak Periods at http://gosoutheast.about.com/od/wintereventsfestivals/ss/fall_foliage_6.htm.
Further information about Kentucky's forest facts can be reviewed in the 2009 Forest Inventory and Analysis Fact Sheet.