Forest Landscape: The landscape is glacial in origin and is characterized by rolling hills, potholes, and lakes. The rough terrain and rocky soils make much of the area unsuited to agriculture. The forest is primarily forested and undeveloped. Much of the forest is comprised of northern hardwoods (predominately maple, basswood, red oak, ironwood, elm, and aspen) and conifers 9red pine, white pine and white spruce). About one fifth of the area is lowland brush and marsh.

Management Activities: Management activities in White Earth State Forest include the harvest of more than 475 acres annually, producing 9,500 cords of wood. There is the potential to harvest more acres annually if sufficient markets could be found. Most of the wood harvested is aspen and is used to make oriented strand board at plants near Bemidji. approximately 180 acres of conifers are planted each year while all of the aspen sites are left to regenerate naturally. Wildlife habitat projects include the development of openings and harvesting practices that promote the development of browse for deer and other species.

History: White Earth State Forest contains 160,502 acres of land and was established by the Minnesota Legislature in 1935. Of this total, the state administers 37,577 acres, the counties administer 55,626 acres, and the remainder is owned by the federal government or private individuals. This substantial amount of public ownership allows for efficient forest management and provides access to the public for hunting, fishing, and other forms of dispersed recreation.