With the dawn of the 19th century, settlement and westward expansion spawned almost 100 years of forest removal. Lands that nurtured excellent tree growth also supported bountiful crop production. Thus started massive forest clearing that continued through the twilight of the century. By the first decade of the 1900s, forest cover had dropped to 10 percent of the state.

Remarkable changes soon took place, due to sound government policy and social changes.

A forestry agency was created, as were laws that encouraged forest development. Efforts made by the Division of Forestry resulted in the growing and planting of more trees, as well as the protection of forests from fire.