NAICS 1153

Support Activities for Forestry

NAICS 1153: Support activities for forestry including consulting, forest management planning, timber cruising, and reforestation services for timber companies and landowners.

Published by VantaInsights Research·Methodology·Data Sources· AI-drafted
Built on data from Census Bureau CBP Bureau of Labor Statistics Federal Reserve FRED SEC EDGAR

Industry at a Glance

Sector-wide aggregates across all businesses classified under NAICS 1153 (2017 classification frame). For specific sub-industries within this sector, see the individual reports below.

Employment
15K
US Census CBP · 2023 · NAICS 2017
Establishments
2,023
US Census CBP · 2023 · NAICS 2017
Annual Payroll
$1.0B
US Census CBP · 2023 · NAICS 2017
Avg Annual Wage
$65,246
Derived from US Census CBP · 2023 · NAICS 2017

Industry Overview

Support activities for forestry (NAICS 1153) encompasses specialized services that support timber production, forest management, and related forestry operations. This industry group includes activities such as forestry consulting, forest management planning, reforestation services, timber cruising, forest fire prevention and suppression support, and other technical forestry services performed on a contract or fee basis. These supporting activities are essential to the forestry supply chain, enabling forest landowners, timber companies, and government agencies to optimize forest health, productivity, and sustainable management practices.

The industry serves a critical intermediary role between forestry operations and downstream timber processing industries. Firms in this sector employ forestry professionals including foresters, timber cruisers, and forest technicians who provide expertise in resource assessment, forest stewardship, environmental compliance, and operational planning. The industry is geographically concentrated in regions with significant commercial forestry activity, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, Southeast, and other timber-producing regions of the United States.

Market demand for support forestry services is driven by regulatory requirements, sustainability initiatives, timber market conditions, and the complexity of modern forest management. The industry operates within a framework of state and federal regulations governing timber harvesting, environmental protection, and forest stewardship certification. Climate change concerns and increasing emphasis on sustainable forestry practices have expanded demand for professional forestry consulting and forest management services.

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Industry Trends

GIS

Increasing adoption of digital forestry technologies including remote sensing, GIS mapping, drone surveying, and forest inventory software to improve accuracy, efficiency, and decision-making informed by real-time forest data in forest management planning.

FSC

Growing emphasis on sustainable forestry practices and third-party forest certification (FSC, PEFC) is driving demand for consulting services that help landowners and operators achieve and maintain certification compliance.

03

Climate change adaptation and resilience planning has become a significant service area, with forestry consultants advising on forest health, wildfire risk management, species migration, and carbon sequestration strategies.

04

Consolidation among forestry service providers as larger timber companies and environmental firms acquire specialized forestry consulting practices to expand service offerings and geographic reach.

05

Expansion of forest carbon credit and voluntary carbon market services, where forestry consultants help landowners quantify and monetize forest carbon through emerging carbon offset programs and frameworks.

Specialty Reports Available on Request

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Support Activities for Forestry
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Support Activities for Forestry

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NAICS 1153? ▾
NAICS 1153 classifies establishments primarily engaged in providing specialized support services for forestry operations on a contract or fee basis. These services include forestry consulting, forest management planning, timber cruising and scaling, reforestation services, and forest fire prevention support. The classification encompasses the technical and professional forestry services that support timber production and sustainable forest management.
What types of services do forestry support companies provide? ▾
Forestry support companies offer a wide range of professional services including forest inventory and timber cruising, forest management plan development, reforestation and site preparation, timber marking and harvest planning, forest health assessments, environmental impact analysis, forest certification consulting, and regulatory compliance guidance. Many firms also provide GIS mapping, drone surveying, and forest monitoring services using advanced technology platforms.
Who are the primary customers for forestry support services? ▾
Primary customers include timber and forest products companies, private forest landowners and investment groups, government forestry agencies, conservation organizations, and real estate developers with significant forest holdings. Customers range from large industrial timber companies to small family forest owners seeking professional expertise in managing their forest resources.
How do timber prices and market conditions affect this industry? ▾
Forestry support services are cyclical and sensitive to timber market conditions. During periods of strong timber prices and active harvesting, demand for planning, cruising, and harvest support services increases significantly. Conversely, during timber market downturns, investment in forest management consulting may decline as landowners postpone non-essential services, making the industry vulnerable to commodity price fluctuations.
What regulatory factors impact forestry support service providers? ▾
Forestry consultants must navigate complex state and federal regulations governing timber harvesting, environmental protection, endangered species protection, and water quality standards. Additionally, forest certification requirements (FSC, PEFC), carbon accounting standards, and increasingly stringent wildfire prevention regulations require consultants to maintain current knowledge and specialized expertise to serve clients effectively.

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