The Case for Management
Contents
 

A Well-Managed Stand

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Poor Harvest Practices

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Panorama Instructions: Click on the panorama, and press the keyboard Spacebar to view Hotspots (click them for tree info), press the "A" key to zoom in, "Z" to zoom out. To pan around, left click the mouse and drag.

Perhaps the best argument for good management practices is to view these stands side-by-side. This is more impressive when you realize that in the Appalachians, harsh weather (which includes moisture stress and ice storms) reduces growth and contributes to poor tree form. With agriculture occupying the richer downslope positions, forestry is generally relegated to steep and infertile soils. In this region, timber sales generally result in less than $1000 per acre. With good management, it is possible to far exceed the average sale.

Well-managed stand total value per acre: $3410 *

Poorly managed stand total value per acre: $787 *

  • Sawtimber: 647 board feet = $365
  • Pulpwood: 24 cords = $422

* Growth data represented here is based on one prism point sample within the harvested stand. Monetary data is based on 2003 dollars and timber values. Actual payments to landowners are generally 50% of gross payments, but vary widely with distance to mills, terrain, harvest size, etc.