34 



The returns from post oak land devoted to raising timber crops do 

 not pay the taxes when the crop is harvested as fuel wood, and barely 

 pay taxes when devoted to production of fence posts or mine timber. Over 

 30 years are required to grow trees large enough for fence posts and 

 from 30 to 60 for mine material. The average annual production of 

 15.8 cubic feet per acre of standing timber is equivalent to 11.7 cubic 

 feet of mine timber. The net stumpage value, based on the sale value 

 from which is deducted the cost of logging plus 20 per cent, is $ .0418 

 per cubic foot. Thus the annual returns on an acre devoted to the pro- 

 duction of mine timber are $ .489. The taxes on such land average $ .50 

 per acre per year. 



If cordwood is harvested, the annual increment of 15.8 cubic feet 

 per acre at a net stumpage value of $ .0115 per cubic foot gives a return 

 of $ .18 per year. Since the taxes average $ .50 this land is costing the 

 owner $ .33 per acre yearly. 



The possibilities of finding a more profitable use for this type of land 

 seem remote. It is in timber because experience has proven that it can 

 not be farmed at a profit, but these areas are among the least productive 

 for forest crops of any in the state. 



With improved drainage conditions post oak improves in both form 

 and growth rate, and black, white, and shingle oaks and hickory are as- 

 sociated. Much of this type of land has been cleared. The remaining 

 stands show yields intermediate between the post-oak flat stands and the 

 upland hardwood stands of the slopes. 



Samples from fully stocked stands are tabulated below. 



A 40-yEAK OLD St.\nd, Pebbt County 



A 65-yEAB OLD Stand, Franklin County 



Species 



No. of trees per acre. 

 Av. D. B. H., Inches. 



Av. Height, feet 



Cu. ft. per acre 



B. F. per acre 



14.1 

 12 



