Lewis County, New York - Contact the LCIDA for business assistance (315)376-3014

The forest industry is an important component of Lewis County's overall economy. 

Our timber furnishes an excellent wood supply for our wood products manufacturers (Wood Products Producers).  Our maple syrup industry produces (American Maple Museum, &  Lewis County Maple Producers Association) the best maple products in the world.  Our forests are also known as the land of the great outdoors.   Whatever the season there is recreation for everyone. 
 
The Adirondacks and the Tup Hill Plateau are the most heavily forested areas in Lewis County, part of the western Adirondack Unit.  Sugar maple is the leading species in volume, a position it has held for the last four inventories.  But red maple -- which is widely distributed, an agressive competitor, and not as heavily cut -- will likely overtake sugar maple as the leading species in the near future.  There are also ample stands of eastern hemlock, white pine, American beech, and black cherry.  Red pine plantations are coming into maturity, making this an important commercial species for the future.
 
Our Timber Supply
The forest products industry is an important component of the overall economy of the area. 

Lewis County has about 600,000 acres of forest land, mostly privately owned and located in the Adirondacks and Tug Hill Plateau. With the procurement range commonly being 50-100 miles, there is access to thousands of acres of additional forest land.  The vast majority of the timber in Lewis County's forests are northern hardwood species.  There is also an abundant supply of white and red pine along with other hardwoods.  Forest Resources (Growing Stock, Sawtimber, Pole Timber) by Species  

  
No Hassles, No Stress 
 
The Great Outdoors at your doorstep... 

  • If you love the outdoors, Lewis County is a great place to live and work.
  • Just imagine being outdoors - Lewis County is an outdoor playground.  Recreation is within minutes after leaving work.
  • No loading up the car and commuting long distances. 
  • No advance planning or reservations needed. 
  • No traffic.  No crowds. Lewis County has no cities.  Lewis County has only seven (7) stoplights.
  • Whatever the season, there is an abundance of outdoor entertainment and recreation for everyone.  
Lewis County has the lowest crime rate in New York State. 
 
Recreation
 
  • 600 miles of groomed snowmobile trails 
  • 22 slopes of downhill skiing 
  • 100 + miles of cross country skiing
  • Canoeing & Kayaking
  • Golfing
  • 65 + miles of horseback riding
  • Biking
  • Backpacking
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • and much, much, more
 The Forest Support Services (are second to none) 
  • Machine shops and other maintenance and repair shops within the county. 
  • Lenders who know the forest. 
  • Soil Conservation Service. 
  • A.S.C.S. 
  • Cooperative Extension of Lewis County
  • Farm Service Agency
  • DEC
  • Adirondack North Country Assoc.
  • Many small businesses and other agencies support the forest industry. 
 Markets (Strong Markets for the timber production) 
 
  • More than 126 logging firms originating in Lewis County. 
  • Six whole-tree chipping operators. 
  • Over 26 sawmills, with many small portable operators entering the business. 
  • Six large paper or paper related processing mills. 
  • 17 secondary value-added operators and many in neighboring counties. 
  • Hundreds of small wood products producers.
  • Wood-burning co-generator facilities. 
  • Several hardwood and softwood dry kilns. 
 
Easy Access Transportation (Roads are well maintained & plowed).  Lewis County is an excellent location to serve the region's major wood users.  With the great transportation and road systems available, Lewis County plays an important role in the raw material acquisition and distribution. 
  • 248.08 miles of county roads
  • 895.26 miles of town roads
  • 155.13 miles of state highways
  • 2 Railroads
  • Close to Water Transport (Shipping)
  • Close to Air Service.
Weather - Ideal climate for the Forest Industry.  Four wonderful seasons 
  
Made in Lewis County
  
An Interesting Mill
 
 
 
FOREST RESOURCES: Northern New York Timber Supply
Species
Growing Stock
(MMCF)
SawTimber
(MMBF)
Poletimber
(MCF)
Balsum Fir
170.7
321.0
104.9
Spruces
244.1
671.1
101.7
Red Pine
81.8
320.2
14.3
White Pine
439.4
1929.3
51.3
Eastern Hemlock
315.9
1,100.5
65.5
Other Softwoods
180.8
377.8
79.6
TOTAL SOFTWOODS
1,432.7
4,719.9
417.3
Red Maple
718.7
1,664.4
409.6
Sugar Maple
960.3
3,091.4
383.5
Yellow Birch
213.7
624.4
96.0
Sweet Birch
0
1.7
0
Paper Birch
93.9
177.8
61.4
Hickory
35.7
65.4
24.2
American Beech
349.2
891.9
203.2
White Ash
164.2
414.4
91.7
Aspen
280.2
1,022.7
116.8
Black Cherry
234.8
990.5
73.0
Selected White Oaks
8.7
35.0
3.1
Northern Red Oak
144.5
476.6
58.6
Other Oaks
1.1
0
1.1
Basswood
75.8 
365.7
23.6
Elm
31.3 
2.6
31.7
Other Hardwoods
72.6 
159.3
45.8
TOTAL HARDWOODS
3,384.7
8,896.20
1,623.0
ALL SPECIES
4,817.4
13,616.1
2,040.3
Source: Data from Product Market Opportunities for Low-Grade Wood,  Adirondack Economic Development Corp., June 2001 		       LOGS TO LUMBER 
Source: Working with Wood,Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA)   
Enlarged Version 

Forest Information Links: 
Definitions & Conversions   How Lumber is Measured 
Air Drying Lumber Kiln Dry Lumber 
Lumber - Interior Uses  Lumber - Exterior Uses 
Grading-Softwood Lumber  Grading-Hardwood Lumber 
 
 
 
Forest Links   
Adirondack North Country Assoc. County & State Maps USDA - Forest Service
DEC (Department of Conservation) Lowville Farmer's Coop US Rural Development 
Lewis County Soil & Water Tug Hill Commision Forest Products
Come Farm with Us  Grown in Lewis County  American Maple Museum
Lewis County Maple Producers Association  "Made in Lewis County"  Maple Producers Wood Products Producers 
 
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