Publications & reports
Agency reports
- SCFC strategic plan, 2020-2030
- Strategic plan progress reports
- Annual reports
If you need older annual reports, please contact us.
State government reports
Collaborative management/partnership reports
- South Carolina Forest Action Plan
- SC Landscape Management Plan
- Shared Stewardship Agreement (coming soon)
- Economic Impact Analysis of SC’s Forestry Sector, 2017 (pdf)
- South Carolina Landscape Management Plan (pdf)
Fact sheets
Forestry’s Economic Impact (pdf)
SC Forestry: By The Numbers, FY2021-22 (pdf)
South Carolina’s Forested Acreage by County (pdf)
Publications
‘The Wave Of Wood’
The study and analysis of forestry’s economic impact in South Carolina, 2018.
“Forest Trees of SC” tree ID manual
The South Carolina Forestry Commission is proud to present to the citizens of South Carolina this updated 180-page edition of the agency’s native forest tree identification manual, originally produced in 2003.
This greatly improved guide represents a significant upgrade to its predecessor in scope and detail; in addition to replacing one-color line drawings of trees and their identifying characteristics with full-color photographs, we have added more than a dozen native species than appeared in the first edition, added an illustrated guide to tree and leaf anatomy, incorporated range maps for every species and included many more anecdotal and characteristic keys to identifying South Carolina’s native trees. VIEW/DOWNLOAD A PREVIEW OF THE BOOK >>>
Soft-bound copies of the book may be purchased directly from the SC Forestry Commission for $20 ($15 if you pick up in person). CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY/COPIES TODAY!
Forest Health manual
This forest health manual highlights some of the insect pests and diseases you are likely to encounter in South Carolina’s forests, as well as some threats that are on the horizon. The South Carolina Forestry Commission plans to expand on the manual, as well as adapt it into a portable manual that can be consulted in the field.
Invasive Species of South Carolina
For more than 200 years, invasive-exotic species have plagued the urban and rural forests of South Carolina. This gradual integration of escaped nonnatives has imperiled native communities in South Carolina’s forests and has led to a transformed and less resilient landscape. There are an estimated 100 million invasive-exotic plants looming within the boundaries of the United States. Invasive-exotic species are any plants or animals that are nonnative to the ecosystem in which they now appear (or are being planted) and that can cause harm to the economy, the environment or human health. Invasive species commonly invade forests, fields, roadsides, parks and rights-of-way.
SC Forest Law Handbook
Forest Laws in South Carolina, Eighth Edition, published by the South Carolina Forestry Commission, October 2017
Compiled by the SC Forestry Commission as a reference for law enforcement officers and forest managers.
South Carolina’s Smoke Management Guidelines
Guidelines for Vegetative Debris Burning for Forestry, Agriculture, and Wildlife Purposes in the State of South Carolina.
South Carolina’s Best Management Practices
South Carolina’s Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) give forest landowners and the professional forestry
community guidelines to follow in practicing good stewardship on our valuable forestland. Good stewardship during forestry activities will protect the water quality of nearby streams, lakes, or ponds. Most of the BMPs in this manual address the protection of water quality or the requirements of Section 404 (dredge and fill) of the Clean Water Act.
BMPs for Braided Stream Systems: A Supplement to the 1994 BMP Manual
A Supplement to South Carolina’s Best Management Practices for Forestry. Braided stream systems have multiple interconnected channels, resembling the strands of a braid, with very low stream gradient. These systems generally have broad valleys with well-defined floodplains. High water tables for much of the year result in soils with high organic content. Overland flows generally occur during the winter and spring. These characteristics create unique conditions for harvesting operations; therefore, additional BMPs are necessary.
BMPs: Forest Biomass Harvesting Recommendations
A Supplement to South Carolina’s Best Management Practices for Forestry. Growing interest in renewable energy creates an opportunity for woody biomass to emerge as a potentially significant new market for South Carolina
forest landowners. Many forest products companies already use biomass for steam and power generation
and could readily transition to increased biomass energy production.
Smartphone app
Download the Forestry Commission’s wildfire smartphone app!
With the outlook for the fall/winter wildfire season across the south changing so drastically in the last few weeks, having our free app can offer an extra layer of protection to you and your family. The SC Forestry Commission’s wildfire smartphone app allows citizens, media and fire departments to view current wildfires and burn notifications, check the latest fire weather, receive push notifications about important news such as burning bans and red flag fire alerts, and much more. The easy-to-use interface lets users:
- View all the current wildfires in the state. Pinch-zoom, then click, on any fire or notification to see its location, size and containment status;
- See all the current prescribed burns for forestry, wildlife and agriculture around the state;
- Check the day’s fire weather in any region of the state;
- Watch the agency’s videos on how to conduct legal debris burns, including making notification to the Forestry Commission and taking the proper precautions;
- Report a wildfire, arson, litter or other forest law violation.
LEARN HOW TO INSTALL AND USE THE APP>>> (YouTube video)