This report is compiled annually by Minnesota DNR - Forestry Division, Resource Assessment and Utilization & Marketing Program staff. The report is intended to answer frequently asked questions about Minnesota's forest resources such as: current conditions and trends in forest resources, and forest resource industrial use. 

Highlights:

• Mill Changes: Mill shutdowns, slowdowns and curtailments continue to have a large impact on timber markets in Minnesota. Harvest levels of 2009 are down by nearly 1 million cords compared to 2005 levels, resulting in opportunities (and need) for additional utilization and management of Minnesota's forest resources.
• Timber imports of pulpwood into the state as well exports out of the state saw decreases in 2009. This is in contrast with the previous year for both imports and exports. It is likely that Minnesota is still a net importer of raw wood as of December 2011, but by a greatly reduced margin as compared to levels of seven years ago.
• Overall net growth for all species continued to outpace harvest levels. According to 2010 FIA figures, annual net growth of growing stock on timberland was approximately 5.6 million cords,with mortality of approximately 4.0 million cords. According to Draft 2009 mill and fuelwood survey data, the volume of wood harvested and utilized by industry and fuelwood users was approximately 2.73 million cords. Hence, there are significant volumes of wood above current harvest levels potentially available for additional harvest.
• Woody biomass use for energy markets and forest carbon credits are significant emerging issues that will have an impact on forest management in the future. Updates pertaining to woody biomass use for energy are included in this report.
• Harvest levels: Total wood harvested and utilized from timberland by industry and fuelwood users in Minnesota was 2.73 million cords in 2009. Readers will also want to be aware that while actual survey figures will not be available until later, based on analysis of mill consumption, it appears that harvest levels are within the 2.6 to 2.9 million cord range in 2010 and 2011.