U.S. Forest Service: Black Hills forest at risk of being over-logged without drastic turnaround The Rocky Mountain Research Station scientists behind an influential general technical report spoke on Wednesday by webinar about their findings, including the "double-whammy" wrought by pine beetle infestation and forest fires on the Black Hills. Written By: Christopher Vondracek | × While only 4% of South Dakota is forested, the Ponderosa Pine-spotted Black Hills have been a major timber producer for the National Forest System over the last two decades. (Christopher Vondracek / Forum News Service) PIERRE, S.D. — The Black Hills forest could be cut clean of "suitable sawtimber" in 60 years, if logging keeps at its current pace and the forest's mortality rate remains low, report the researchers behind an influential U.S. Forest Service study.