There are several analyses that we conduct on a regular and ongoing basis. Harvest Trends, where we annually estimate industrial timber harvest and production of wood products, is one example. Other analyses arise because of events like hurricanes, fire or drought. These analyses are driven by the basic need to understand impacts on forest resources. In the case of hurricanes and large fires, (within a few days of the event), we conduct rapid damage assessments to estimate the area, number, volume, biomass, debris and/or value of forest resources impacted.

We estimated that 301 million trees died on forestland in Texas. We measured tree mortality at hundreds of locations and combined this data with satellite imagery to estimate mortality across the state. Through FIA we estimate there were approximately 4.9 billion trees prior to the drought, so about 1 in 16 trees died as a result of the drought.

This is a question we receive on a regular basis and is one that we have built an online tool called Timber Supply Analysis at TexasForestInfo.com to answer. The tool allows the user to input a location and specify a 50-, 75-, and 100-radius. A report specifying forest area, volume and growth/drain is then prepared and available for viewing and downloading.