Lumbering was one of the earliest industries to be started in America. In fact, there is a legend that Leif Ericson, who was supposed to have visited North America about the year 1000, brought back a cargo of timber from the new world! We do know that one of the first products shipped to England from the Jamestown colony was timber from the Virginia forests.

There are many trees used for building and other purposes. The leading softwood trees include pine, Douglas fir, hemlock, spruce, white fir, cypress, and redwood. Hardwood timber or lumber used for furniture making, flooring, and certain other special purposes comes from such trees as oak, gum, maple, poplar, and walnut.