Financial analysis of early stand treatments in southwest Oregon.

Helge Eng; K. Norman Johnson; Roger D. Fight

doi:10.2737/PNW-RP-427

Treesearch

Financial analysis of early stand treatments in southwest Oregon.

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Helge Eng, K. Norman Johnson, Roger D. Fight

Year:

1990

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PNW-RP-427

Source:

Res. Pap. PNW-RP-427. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 25 p

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Download (PDF 1.04 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/9262.pdf

Abstract

Management guidelines for economically efficient early stand treatments were developed by identifying treatments that would maximize financial returns over the rotation for coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii) in southwest Oregon. Short rotations and low stand densities (trees per acre) gave the highest financial returns in all cases. Usually precommercially thinning to a low stand density was more advantageous than planting at low density. Fertilization as soon as possible was always profitable. The financially optimal management regimes for low-cost and high-cost reforestation were identical if the returns justified keeping the site in forest production. Costly treatments were not financially justifiable on low productivity sites where reforestation is difficult unless investment conditions are favorable.

Keywords

Douglas-fir (coast), financial analysis, stand-level optimization, young growth management

Citation

Eng, Helge; Johnson, K. Norman; Fight, Roger D. 1990. Financial analysis of early stand treatments in southwest Oregon. Res. Pap. PNW-RP-427. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 25 p