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The Trials of Montana Timber

In the past 40 years, the state’s timber industry has dwindled due to diminished log supply and volatile markets. What’s next?

By Dillon Tabish & Tristan Scott

Out On a Limb, Timber Industry Hangs On in New Era of Forest Management

Industry experts presage future of logging in Montana amid ongoing battle over public lands

BY DILLON TABISH

At the midway point of the 20th century, the wood products industry developed into one of the bright signs in Montana’s economy, especially in the forested western section of the state. While agriculture and railroads laid off employees in this part of the state, sawmills and other wood product facilities ballooned, with nearly 4,000 new jobs added in the industry from 1950 to 1970. Total personal income grew 93 percent in the seven western counties, compared to the state average of 52 percent. READ MORE


A Future for Montana’s Forests

Stakeholders say “bottom-up” collaborations the key to balanced land management

BY TRISTAN SCOTT

On a ridge high above Haskill Basin, looking out over the swaths of land owned by F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. – parcels bristling with stands of grand and alpine fir, spruce, larch and cedar – Paul McKenzie sees a healthy, well-managed forest and a bright future for the western wood products industry. READ MORE