Most Forested States

Last updated September 18, 2024

Percent of Land Forested
Top
Last
Percent of Land Forested
1.MaineMaine89.46%
2.New HampshireNew Hampshire84.32%
3.West VirginiaWest Virginia79.01%
4.VermontVermont77.81%
5.AlabamaAlabama70.57%
6.South CarolinaSouth Carolina68.19%
7.GeorgiaGeorgia67.28%
8.MississippiMississippi65.07%
9.VirginiaVirginia62.93%
10.New YorkNew York62.88%
11.MassachusettsMassachusetts60.57%
12.North CarolinaNorth Carolina59.73%
13.PennsylvaniaPennsylvania58.60%
14.ArkansasArkansas56.31%
15.MichiganMichigan55.62%
16.ConnecticutConnecticut55.24%
17.Rhode IslandRhode Island54.38%
18.LouisianaLouisiana53.20%
19.TennesseeTennessee52.83%
20.WashingtonWashington52.74%
21.FloridaFlorida50.68%
22.KentuckyKentucky49.35%
23.WisconsinWisconsin48.98%
24.OregonOregon48.51%
25.HawaiiHawaii42.53%
26.New JerseyNew Jersey41.72%
27.IdahoIdaho40.55%
28.MarylandMaryland39.36%
29.TexasTexas37.33%
30.AlaskaAlaska35.16%
31.MissouriMissouri35.16%
32.UtahUtah34.48%
33.ColoradoColorado34.42%
34.MinnesotaMinnesota34.08%
35.CaliforniaCalifornia32.71%
36.New MexicoNew Mexico31.99%
37.OhioOhio30.92%
38.OklahomaOklahoma28.80%
39.MontanaMontana27.45%
40.DelawareDelaware27.26%
41.ArizonaArizona25.64%
42.IndianaIndiana21.06%
43.WyomingWyoming18.42%
44.NevadaNevada15.89%
45.IllinoisIllinois13.64%
46.IowaIowa8.43%
47.KansasKansas4.78%
48.South DakotaSouth Dakota3.93%
49.NebraskaNebraska3.20%
50.North DakotaNorth Dakota1.72%

Introduction

Forests cover about one-third of the Earth's terrain and are home to countless species as well as approximately 300 million people globally; amongst them are 60 million indigenous individuals whose livelihoods are largely associated with these ecosystems. In the United States, the forest landscape varies significantly by state, from the lush evergreen forests of Maine to the sparse woodlands of North Dakota.

  • Maine leads the nation with a phenomenal 89.46% of its land enveloped by forests, followed closely by New Hampshire (84.32%) and West Virginia (79.01%).
  • New York, despite being known for its bustling concrete jungle, contains a significant percentage of forest area, ranking tenth with 62.88% forest cover.
  • Southern states such as Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia boast considerable forest cover, above 67%, exhibiting the rich biodiversity of these regions.
  • At the other end of the spectrum, states like North Dakota (1.72%), Nebraska (3.20%) and South Dakota (3.93%) have the least forest cover in the country as prairies and farmland prevalent in these regions dominate the landscape.
  • Intriguingly, some states known for their iconic wilderness, like Alaska and Montana, fall in the medium to low-range of forest coverage, with 35.16% and 27.45%, respectively.

10 Most Forested States

Topping the list is Maine, where an impressive 89.46% of its total land is draped in lush forest cover. This northeastern state is noted for its diverse woodland habitats, which are primarily composed of spruce-fir and northern hardwood forests. Next is New Hampshire, with a forest cover percentage of 84.32%. The Granite State, renowned for its vast northern hardwood and pine forests, showcases nature's splendor throughout its landscape, especially during the vibrant display of fall colors. Thirdly, West Virginia, virtually living up to its official state nickname, "The Mountain State," boasts 79.01% forest cover. With robust Appalachian hardwood forests that house valuable timber species, West Virginia plays a pivotal role in the country's forest industry. In fourth place, Vermont, known as the "Green Mountain State", lives up to its name with 77.81% forest cover. Its plentiful forests, rich with maple trees, lend to its well-established maple syrup industry. Southern states also leave a substantial footprint in this ranking. Alabama stands fifth with a forest coverage ratio of 70.57%. South Carolina and Georgia follow closely, with forest coverage of 68.19% and 67.28%, respectively. These states are dominant in southern pine ecosystems, a vital source for the nation's timber supply. Eighth on the list, Mississippi exhibits a forest cover of 65.07%. Virginia with a forest cover of 62.93% and New York with a forest cover of 62.88% round off the top ten. Top 10 Most Forested States:

  1. Maine - 89.46%
  2. New Hampshire - 84.32%
  3. West Virginia - 79.01%
  4. Vermont - 77.81%
  5. Alabama - 70.57%
  6. South Carolina - 68.19%
  7. Georgia - 67.28%
  8. Mississippi - 65.07%
  9. Virginia - 62.93%
  10. New York - 62.88%

By Region

Alabama

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Ranked in U.S.

#5

Alaska

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Ranked in U.S.

#30

Arizona

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Ranked in U.S.

#41

Arkansas

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Ranked in U.S.

#14

California

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Ranked in U.S.

#35

Colorado

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Ranked in U.S.

#33

Connecticut

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Ranked in U.S.

#16

Delaware

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Ranked in U.S.

#40

Florida

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Ranked in U.S.

#21

Georgia

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Ranked in U.S.

#7

Hawaii

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Ranked in U.S.

#25

Idaho

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Ranked in U.S.

#27

Illinois

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Ranked in U.S.

#45

Indiana

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Ranked in U.S.

#42

Iowa

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Ranked in U.S.

#46

Kansas

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Ranked in U.S.

#47

Kentucky

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Ranked in U.S.

#22

Louisiana

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Ranked in U.S.

#18

Maine

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Ranked in U.S.

#1

Maryland

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Ranked in U.S.

#28

Massachusetts

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Ranked in U.S.

#11

Michigan

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Ranked in U.S.

#15

Minnesota

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Ranked in U.S.

#34

Mississippi

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Ranked in U.S.

#8

Missouri

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Ranked in U.S.

#31

Montana

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Ranked in U.S.

#39

Nebraska

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Ranked in U.S.

#49

Nevada

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Ranked in U.S.

#44

New Hampshire

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Ranked in U.S.

#2

New Jersey

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Ranked in U.S.

#26

New Mexico

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Ranked in U.S.

#36

New York

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Ranked in U.S.

#10

North Carolina

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Ranked in U.S.

#12

North Dakota

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Ranked in U.S.

#50

Ohio

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Ranked in U.S.

#37

Oklahoma

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Ranked in U.S.

#38

Oregon

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Ranked in U.S.

#24

Pennsylvania

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Ranked in U.S.

#13

Rhode Island

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Ranked in U.S.

#17

South Carolina

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Ranked in U.S.

#6

South Dakota

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Ranked in U.S.

#48

Tennessee

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Ranked in U.S.

#19

Texas

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Ranked in U.S.

#29

Utah

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Ranked in U.S.

#32

Vermont

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Ranked in U.S.

#4

Virginia

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Ranked in U.S.

#9

Washington

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Ranked in U.S.

#20

West Virginia

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Ranked in U.S.

#3

Wisconsin

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Ranked in U.S.

#23

Wyoming

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Ranked in U.S.

#43

Table

Region ↕Percent of Land Forested↕
Alabama iconAlabama70.57%
Alaska iconAlaska35.16%
Arizona iconArizona25.64%
Arkansas iconArkansas56.31%
California iconCalifornia32.71%
Colorado iconColorado34.42%
Connecticut iconConnecticut55.24%
Delaware iconDelaware27.26%
Florida iconFlorida50.68%
Georgia iconGeorgia67.28%
Hawaii iconHawaii42.53%
Idaho iconIdaho40.55%
Illinois iconIllinois13.64%
Indiana iconIndiana21.06%
Iowa iconIowa8.43%
Kansas iconKansas4.78%
Kentucky iconKentucky49.35%
Louisiana iconLouisiana53.20%
Maine iconMaine89.46%
Maryland iconMaryland39.36%
Massachusetts iconMassachusetts60.57%
Michigan iconMichigan55.62%
Minnesota iconMinnesota34.08%
Mississippi iconMississippi65.07%
Missouri iconMissouri35.16%
Montana iconMontana27.45%
Nebraska iconNebraska3.20%
Nevada iconNevada15.89%
New Hampshire iconNew Hampshire84.32%
New Jersey iconNew Jersey41.72%
New Mexico iconNew Mexico31.99%
New York iconNew York62.88%
North Carolina iconNorth Carolina59.73%
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota1.72%
Ohio iconOhio30.92%
Oklahoma iconOklahoma28.80%
Oregon iconOregon48.51%
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania58.60%
Rhode Island iconRhode Island54.38%
South Carolina iconSouth Carolina68.19%
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota3.93%
Tennessee iconTennessee52.83%
Texas iconTexas37.33%
Utah iconUtah34.48%
Vermont iconVermont77.81%
Virginia iconVirginia62.93%
Washington iconWashington52.74%
West Virginia iconWest Virginia79.01%
Wisconsin iconWisconsin48.98%
Wyoming iconWyoming18.42%
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