This study aimed to analyze the peasant's reflections about the forest management in the rural settlements of Sergipe semiarid region. Primary and secondary data were collected from projects of the agrarian reform settlements of Santa Rita and José Gomes da Silva, the first one located in the municipality of Canindé do São Francisco and the second one in Lagarto. The data obtained show that the use of timber forest resources is practiced on the agrarian reform settlements studied. In Santa Rita settlement the small farmers prioritize the use of wood fuel from the coal manufactured after clearcuting the trees. In José Gomes da Silva agrarian settlement the small farmers mainly use stakes from pruning the branches for wood fuel and build fences. It was also observed deficiency in the performance of environmental agencies and technical assistance, on enabling sustainable forest management in Sergipe’s rural settlements.