Abstract: Hunan Province is one of main timber producing areas in China. Because there is a network of rivercourses in Hunan and the transport of timber mainly relies upon rivercourse, thus the timber markets are distributed in the hubs of forest districts and river transportation. During the period of the Republic of China, due to the development of cities and the construction of modern industries, the drastic increase of timber demand promoted the flourishing of timber trade in Hunan. However, the over- deforestation in Hunan led to severe damages to forests, and caused ecological imbalance. This paper recalls and summarizes the history of timber trade in Hunan in this period, which may provide certain references to the sustainable development of present forestry economy and ecological construction in China.