Illinois Forest Inventories

How have Illinois forests changed over time? Historical forest inventories provide a record of the state's changing forest landscape.

In 2002, the University of Illinois published Forest Resources of Illinois, compiling information on Illinois forestland, forest landowners, and forest- and wood-based businesses. The report reviewed forest inventories from 1820, 1924, 1948, 1962, 1985, 1996, and 1998, explaining how different survey methods affected the accuracy of the data.

The report was a collaboration among the Illinois Forestry Development Council, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and University of Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. It was authored by Scott Bretthauer and John Edgington.

Download Forest Resources of Illinois (PDF, 10.6 MB)