This report highlights principal findings of the seventh forest survey of the State of North Carolina. Field work began in January 1998 with was completed in December of 2002. Six previous surveys, completed in 1938, 1956, 1964, 1974, 1984, and 1990, provide statistics for measuring changes and trends over the past 64 years. This report primarily emphasizes changes and trends since 1990. It discusses the extent and condition of forest land, associated timber volumes, and rates of timber growth, mortality, and removals.