JUST HOW DOES OUR PINE GARDEN GROW?
We sometimes get questions like "How many cords per acre per year can I grow?" or "What is the annual equivalent value for growing timber?". We thought it would be interesting to look at the value that can be harvested each year for a modern technology plantation in an old field in South Georgia.
For PTAEDA2V inputs, we assumed a first-year survival of 300 trees per acre on a 12' by 10' original spacing, using morphologically-improved-second generation loblolly pines released from weed competition early in their first growing season. We then took total volume predicted at the end of each growing season and applied the current South Georgia values from our web site. Look what happens on each acre:
|
End of Growing Season |
Harvest Value |
$Increase |
%Increase |
|
9 |
$ 465 |
$-- |
-% |
|
10 |
$ 688 |
$223 |
48% |
|
11 |
$ 981 |
$293 |
43% |
|
12 |
$1319 |
$338 |
34% |
|
13 |
$1715 |
$396 |
30% |
|
14 |
$2153 |
$438 |
26% |
|
15 |
$2629 |
$476 |
22% |
|
16 |
$3126 |
$497 |
19% |
|
17 |
$3642 |
$516 |
17% |
|
18 |
$4165 |
$523 |
14% |
|
19 |
$4671 |
$506 |
12% |
|
20 |
$5194 |
$523 |
11% |
|
21 |
$5660 |
$466 |
9% |
|
22 |
$6099 |
$439 |
8% |
|
23 |
$6500 |
$401 |
7% |
|
24 |
$6850 |
$350 |
5% |
As the trees reach merchantable size, the annual value increase becomes relatively constant. However, because of the growing value base, the annual percentage increase declines steadily. That is why we plan to end most rotations around age 20 to 22 years.
Are such figures unobtainable? We have sold natural stands, with hardwood competition on typical forest soils, with no genetic improvement, for over $6,000 per acre. Isn't it reasonable to expect we can do at least as well in a shorter time frame on an old field with modern technology solidly based on scientific expertise?
You can see why we are so excited about the new technology of tree farming. Of course, when the costs of establishment and carrying the land and annual expenses are accounted for in a complete calculation of real rate of return, our enthusiasm is tempered, but not nearly doused.
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