Home

 › 

Lifestyle

 › 

States With the Most Forest

States With the Most Forest

In 1630, prior to European colonization, about half the land area of what is now the United States was forested – a little over 1.02 billion acres, according to an estimate by the Department of Agriculture. Since then, more than 250 million acres of forested lands have been cut and converted to other uses. About two-thirds of this deforestation happened between 1850 and 1900, when forest clearing in the eastern U.S. averaged 13 square miles per day.

According to the USDA, forest now covers an estimated 36.2% of the 48 contiguous states, or about 818 million acres, including 190 million acres on federal lands. (Check out how much land the government owns in every state, and what it’s used for.)

To determine America’s states with the most forest and woodland area, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on land use from the the United States Geological Survey. States are ranked by the share of total land area classified as forest and woodland. All states were included except Alaska and Hawaii, for which no updated land use data was available. 

The top ten states by percentage of forested land all lie east of the Mississippi River, with New Hampshire, West Virginia, Maine, and Vermont in the lead, each comprising over 70% forest and woodland. Oregon and Washington – some of the biggest lumber-producing states in the nation, rank at No. 20 and No. 21, respectively.

Besides providing habitat for countless species and harboring biodiversity, forests filter air and water, prevent erosion, provide society with both natural resources and a haven for recreation, and serve as buffers against climate change, even as it threatens to alter our forested landscapes.

Drought and wildfires, both symptoms of climate change, pose a significant threat to U.S. forests, especially in the West. In the last few decades, wildfire seasons have grown longer and the frequency and severity of wildfires in the U.S. has increased. (Read about the 30 most destructive wildfires in the U.S. this century.)

Source: Tammi Mild / iStock via Getty Images

48. North Dakota
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 4.0%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 1.8 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (64.2%); shrub & herb vegetation (22.1%); open water (4.3%)

Source: Miriam Bade / iStock via Getty Images

47. Nebraska
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 4.1%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 2.0 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Shrub & herb vegetation (50.5%); agricultural & developed vegetation (40.4%); developed & other human use (3.6%)

Source: ricardoreitmeyer / iStock via Getty Images

46. Kansas
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 4.3%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 2.3 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (62.6%); shrub & herb vegetation (26.2%); developed & other human use (5.2%)

Source: drnadig / E+ via Getty Images

45. South Dakota
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 5.4%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 2.7 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Shrub & herb vegetation (46.0%); agricultural & developed vegetation (39.9%); open water (2.9%)

Source: Maksymowicz / iStock via Getty Images

44. Iowa
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 9.6%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 3.5 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (80.6%); developed & other human use (7.5%); shrub & herb vegetation (1.1%)

Source: roman_slavik / iStock via Getty Images

43. Nevada
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 14.5%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 10.3 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Desert & semi-desert (73.3%); shrub & herb vegetation (6.9%); introduced & semi natural vegetation (2.1%)

Source: JenniferPhotographyImaging / E+ via Getty Images

42. Illinois
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 15.4%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 5.7 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (67.1%); developed & other human use (11.6%); open water (4.6%)

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

41. Texas
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 16.3%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 28.0 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (26.7%); shrub & herb vegetation (22.0%); desert & semi-desert (21.5%)

Source: DC_Colombia / iStock via Getty Images

40. Wyoming
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 16.8%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 10.5 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Desert & semi-desert (56.3%); shrub & herb vegetation (16.6%); agricultural & developed vegetation (3.3%)

Source: Harry Collins / iStock via Getty Images

39. Delaware
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 22.7%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 362,222 acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (33.1%); open water (21.4%); developed & other human use (15.2%)

Source: Rodrigo A. Rodriguez Fuentes / Getty Images

38. Indiana
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 23.9%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 5.6 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (62.3%); developed & other human use (10.7%); open water (1.9%)

Source: Milosz_G / Getty Images

37. Oklahoma
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 24.0%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 10.7 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (46.4%); shrub & herb vegetation (16.5%); developed & other human use (5.8%)

Source: Mableen / E+ via Getty Images

36. Montana
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 25.0%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 23.5 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Shrub & herb vegetation (28.9%); desert & semi-desert (20.0%); agricultural & developed vegetation (16.7%)

Source: DCorn / iStock via Getty Images

35. Arizona
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 26.6%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 19.4 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Desert & semi-desert (62.6%); shrub & herb vegetation (4.7%); developed & other human use (3.1%)

Source: amygdala_imagery / E+ via Getty Images

34. New Mexico
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 29.2%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 22.7 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Desert & semi-desert (40.7%); shrub & herb vegetation (25.8%); agricultural & developed vegetation (2.0%)

Source: beklaus / E+ via Getty Images

33. Colorado
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 29.4%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 19.6 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Shrub & herb vegetation (31.4%); agricultural & developed vegetation (18.5%); desert & semi-desert (11.5%)

Source: Joecho-16 / iStock via Getty Images

32. Utah
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 29.5%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 16.1 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Desert & semi-desert (44.1%); shrub & herb vegetation (13.2%); agricultural & developed vegetation (3.7%)

Source: Ronald E Grafe / iStock via Getty Images

31. Ohio
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 29.6%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 8.5 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (47.2%); developed & other human use (13.5%); open water (9.0%)

Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

30. California
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 32.6%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 34.1 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Desert & semi-desert (26.6%); shrub & herb vegetation (16.5%); agricultural & developed vegetation (10.0%)

Source: flownaksala / iStock via Getty Images

29. Maryland
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 33.3%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 2.6 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (25.0%); open water (21.5%); developed & other human use (15.2%)

Source: ehrlif / iStock via Getty Images

28. Michigan
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 33.9%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 21.0 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Open water (41.3%); agricultural & developed vegetation (16.6%); developed & other human use (6.5%)

Source: shanecotee / Getty Images

27. Idaho
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 35.8%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 19.1 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Desert & semi-desert (35.2%); agricultural & developed vegetation (11.1%); shrub & herb vegetation (8.3%)

Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

26. Missouri
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 37.1%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 16.5 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (52.9%); developed & other human use (6.9%); open water (1.4%)

Source: Jacqueline Nix / iStock via Getty Images

25. Louisiana
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 37.9%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 12.7 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (20.8%); open water (18.3%); shrub & herb vegetation (8.9%)

Source: Leembe / iStock via Getty Images

24. New Jersey
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 38.8%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 2.2 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Developed & other human use (28.1%); open water (14.6%); agricultural & developed vegetation (12.4%)

Source: gurineb / iStock via Getty Images

23. Minnesota
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 39.2%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 21.8 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (43.9%); open water (8.9%); developed & other human use (5.2%)

Source: iShootPhotosLLC / iStock via Getty Images

22. Rhode Island
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 39.5%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 390,394 acres
> Other major land cover types: Open water (31.9%); developed & other human use (21.4%); agricultural & developed vegetation (3.8%)

Source: SEASTOCK / iStock via Getty Images

21. Washington
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 39.7%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 18.1 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (16.6%); desert & semi-desert (16.4%); recently disturbed or modified (8.6%)

Source: Alexander Fattal / iStock via Getty Images

20. Oregon
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 41.3%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 26.0 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Desert & semi-desert (31.8%); agricultural & developed vegetation (8.0%); recently disturbed or modified (6.7%)

Source: UWMadison / iStock via Getty Images

19. Wisconsin
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 41.9%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 17.6 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (33.4%); open water (17.3%); developed & other human use (6.1%)

Source: Ingus Kruklitis / iStock via Getty Images

18. Florida
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 42.8%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 18.0 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Open water (16.0%); agricultural & developed vegetation (14.5%); developed & other human use (13.4%)

Source: WerksMedia / iStock via Getty Images

17. North Carolina
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 47.9%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 16.5 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (20.9%); developed & other human use (10.2%); open water (9.4%)

Source: Daniel Hanscom / iStock via Getty Images

16. Massachusetts
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 49.6%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 3.3 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Open water (21.1%); developed & other human use (20.9%); agricultural & developed vegetation (5.0%)

Source: WerksMedia / iStock via Getty Images

15. Tennessee
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 51.7%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 13.9 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (29.6%); developed & other human use (9.7%); recently disturbed or modified (5.4%)

Source: Ivelin Denev / iStock via Getty Images

14. Kentucky
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 52.2%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 13.5 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (32.9%); developed & other human use (7.6%); recently disturbed or modified (4.5%)

Source: Paul Knightly / iStock via Getty Images

13. Arkansas
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 53.8%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 18.3 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (34.5%); developed & other human use (5.9%); recently disturbed or modified (2.9%)

Source: lightphoto / iStock via Getty Images

12. New York
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 54.2%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 18.9 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (21.0%); open water (13.6%); developed & other human use (8.5%)

Source: ablokhin / iStock via Getty Images

11. Virginia
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 55.9%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 15.3 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (20.0%); developed & other human use (9.4%); open water (7.4%)

Source: KeithBriley / iStock via Getty Images

10. South Carolina
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 56.0%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 11.5 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (16.4%); developed & other human use (9.4%); recently disturbed or modified (8.9%)

Source: Jaimie Tuchman / iStock via Getty Images

9. Mississippi
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 56.0%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 17.4 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (26.2%); recently disturbed or modified (6.8%); developed & other human use (6.4%)

Source: Daniel Hanscom / iStock via Getty Images

8. Connecticut
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 56.2%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 2.0 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Developed & other human use (22.3%); open water (12.8%); agricultural & developed vegetation (6.6%)

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

7. Georgia
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 58.2%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 22.1 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (18.1%); developed & other human use (10.1%); recently disturbed or modified (9.5%)

Source: Linda Bielko / iStock via Getty Images

6. Pennsylvania
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 59.6%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 17.6 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (22.7%); developed & other human use (12.3%); open water (2.9%)

Source: Jaimie Tuchman / iStock via Getty Images

5. Alabama
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 61.4%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 20.6 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (17.9%); recently disturbed or modified (9.5%); developed & other human use (7.3%)

Source: AlbertPego / iStock via Getty Images

4. Vermont
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 73.9%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 4.5 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (15.1%); developed & other human use (5.6%); open water (4.0%)

Source: Sharan Singh / iStock via Getty Images

3. Maine
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 76.6%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 17.3 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Open water (12.1%); agricultural & developed vegetation (4.0%); developed & other human use (3.4%)

Source: aheflin / Getty Images

2. West Virginia
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 80.1%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 12.4 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Agricultural & developed vegetation (9.0%); developed & other human use (7.3%); recently disturbed or modified (1.5%)

Source: kanonsky / iStock via Getty Images

1. New Hampshire
> Land covered by forest & woodland: 80.3%
> Area covered by forest & woodland: 4.8 million acres
> Other major land cover types: Developed & other human use (8.1%); agricultural & developed vegetation (4.2%); open water (4.0%)

To top