More Information
Varietal pines boom in the US South
Authors: Charles SorenssonPublication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2006, Issue N.Z.J.For. 51(2) 2006, pp 34-40, Aug 2006
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry
Abstract: Over a 29-day period I represented the NZ Institute of Forestry on a Balneaves Travel Award, meeting with an array of US professionals involved in various ways with varietal (clonal) southern yellow pines. The seven companies that hosted me have a significant footprint, with combined worldwide annual revenues exceeding $50 Billion NZD. Varietal pines are new to the US South, but are attracting widespread commercial interest, and are being viewed as a way to both customise the wood supply, and improve the US’s competitiveness in global wood supply markets. The principal economics are straightforward: varietal pines grow faster and have better rust resistance and stem quality than traditional family pines, which should raise the frequency of saw-timber in mature crops by 50% or more. Saw-timber is currently 67% more valuable than the next best timber grade, so stumpage revenue and Bare Land Values will rise, in some cases enough to justify keeping valuable land in forest production. About 6 MM varietal pines are being established this season (‘06/07) in the US South, rising towards 50 MM two years from now.