Deforestation in the United States

[a] Native Americans cleared millions of acres of forest for many reasons, including hunting, farming, berry production, and building materials.

[1] Prior to the arrival of European-Americans, about one half of the United States land area was forest, about 1,023,000,000 acres (4,140,000 km2) estimated in 1630.

[3] For the 300 years following the arrival of Europeans, land was cleared, mostly for agriculture, at a rate that matched that of population growth.

[4] After 1963, there was a gradual decrease through the next few decades which has been reversed with recovery and slight gains in the early 21st century.

The biggest issue thought to be facing deforestation in the United States was illegal logging.