Financial returns from cultural work in natural loblolly pine stands

Abstract

Results of two large studies in North Carolina and Virginia show that volume growth of natural stands of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) can be substantially increased through cultural practices. A corresponding increase in financial returns may also be expected if costs are reasonable and adequate markets are available. Control of competing hardwoods and precommercial thinning are keys to success. Control of large hardwoods alone doubled pine production and increased financial returns more than 200 percent. Additional treatments such as precommercial thinning and control of small hardwoods, tripled pine production above levels with no treatment and increased financial returns four to six times. The most dramatic increase occurred when the pine component of the stand was precommercially thinned and all hardwoods controlled at an early age. This more than doubled the financial returns from all the preceding steps.

Citation

Balmer, William E.; Utz, Keith A.; Langdon, O. Gordon. 1978. Financial returns from cultural work in natural loblolly pine stands. Southern Journal of Applied Forestry. 2(4): 111-117. https://doi.org/10.1093/sjaf/2.4.111.