Research on the Timber Trade in Hubei Province During the Qing Dynasty

Qing Dynasty is a period of rapid development in Chinese traditional timber market when timber were circulated and traded frequently. Hubei Province is located in the middle reaches of Yangtze River, and is rich in timber resources and developed as the main basis of timber trade. Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province, developed to be a national famous wood distribution center at the end of the Qing Dynasty because as transportation junction of nine provinces冶it is convenient by waterway. Wood businessmen from all over the country gathered here and formed powerful wood business organizations. With the support of capital turnover provided by the developed financial institutions, the long-distance transportation of wood was supported; therefore there was huge selling volume and a wide market. The timber in Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou and Sichuan provinces was collected in Hubei Province and then transported to South Yangtze River and Beijing, which greatly contributed to the garden construction, the strengthening of canal embankment, urban development, etc. A review of this episode of history will help us find out how timber trade operated in Qing Dynasty, which will provide certain references for the development of modern forestry in China.