TAUYIELD Projected Growth and Yield Data for Selected Management Intensity Classes

The South can increase pine productivity on its forest lands as increased timber prices make returns from intensified forest management more profitable. We determined the most likely management intensities on industrial lands resulting in five management intensity classes. They are used to estimate the potential growth and yield levels, and compare these to empirical pine yields, developed as a part of the SRTS model inputs and based on Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) data. These comparisons indicate that projected plantation yields are much greater than empirical FIA data--almost 100% greater than current empirical yields. Projected yields were also up to 90% higher than those used in the 1995 Rangeland Renewable Resource Act (RPA) assessment. If realized, such productivity increases could prevent timber shortages. Financial analyses indicate that intensified forest management is economically feasible and offers attractive returns.