Forest Planting Trends

AUBURN, Ala. —A survey of timber-owning companies in Alabama showed that half of the responding companies replant every acre harvested, according to Robert Tufts, associate professor of forestry at Auburn University.

In the survey, which was conducted through the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station at Auburn University, companies that did not replant 100 percent cited economic reasons. Replanting efforts devoted to reestablishing plantations increased from 21 percent of all acres in 1985 to 38 percent in 1990, and that number is expected to rise to 53 percent by 1995.

The study also showed that use of various site preparation methods changed slightly from 1985 to 1990. In 1985, chop and burn was the most commonly used method, but by 1990 it dropped to third. Chemical site preparation was the third most common method in 1985, but rose to number one in 1990. The most intensive and expensive method -- shear, rake, pile and burn -- was second in 1985 and 1990, indicating a continued use of highly mechanized site preparation methods.

-30-

News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
Contact Katie Jackson, 334-844-5886 or smithcl@auburn.edu

02/17/92