Slash Pine Characteristics 585 



Commercial Value of Young Stands 



A few concrete examples of measured stands will serve to illus- 

 trate the growth and commercial possibilities of yoimg Slash 

 pine." 



A 13-year-old stand,^' containing 500 trees per acre of the two 

 dominant classes (or a total of 628), averaged 5.7 inches breasthigh 

 diameter and 46 feet in height. There were 172 5 -inch trees, 152 

 6-inch, 84 7-inch, and 20 8-inch trees per acre, yielding 5856 board 

 feet mill scale down to 33^ inches in the top. (Growth and yield 

 data are given in Table 4.) The stand was being worked for tur- 

 pentine as illustrated in Plate I. About 104 trees per acre, or 

 practically all trees 7 inches and over in diameter, and one face 

 each.^° A fair value for " gum " in the tree, 10 cents per box for a 

 3 years' run, gives a gross return of $10.40 per acre. There had 

 been no protection from fire and the only expense incurred was 

 yearly taxes at the rate of 20 mills on a $2.50 land valuation. A 

 return of $10.40 for turpentine rights in 16 years,^^ minus taxes 

 amounting to $0.83, including interest at 4 per cent, leaves a net 

 profit equal to 4.5 per cent compoimd interest on the original 

 investment of $5 per acre for the land. The turpentined trees, 

 which now contained 804 posts per acre, would at the end of 3 

 years probably contain at least 1,000 posts. Assuming a value of 

 one cent each in the tree,^^ the total returns at the end of 16 years 

 would amount to $20.40. Deducting taxes for the period, as 

 above, gives a profit of 9 per cent compoimd interest on the 

 investment in the land. After removing the worked trees, and 

 allowing for a possible 8 per cent additional loss, the stand at 16 

 years old will contain 496 trees per acre. Under management, 

 however, the tapped trees would not be removed, except as needed 

 for thinnings, but allowed to grow for a period of 3 to 5 years when 

 they covdd be back-cupped for 3 years. Thus the profit woidd be 

 increased many times over that derived from the cutting indicated 



" Studies conducted in June, 1916, by the writer in company with Mr. C. R. 

 Tillotson. 



" Columbia County, on typical flat pine barrens sandy soil, 60 miles west of 

 Jacksonville, Fla. 



2" Unfortunately the trees were "boxed" instead of cupped. 



*i Cotmting to the end of the 3-year turpentine permit. 



22 There is an increasing demand for fenceposts and for sap ties for creosote 

 treatment. 



