Figure 3. — Pole Size Timber 



YOUNG SAW TIMBER 



An area that falls in this classification will 

 contain trees largely between nine inches and 

 twelve inches in diameter at breast height. You 

 may find a scattering of smaller trees and a few 

 trees that will be larger. While there may be a 

 few trees of a merchantable size, the majority 

 of them should be left for another ten to twenty 

 years or more before being cut, depending on 

 the condition of the trees, and whether they are 

 hardwood or softwood. You will determine the 

 value per acre by the same method as that de- 

 scribed in the latter part of the previous classifi- 

 cation. (See Figure 4) 



MERCHANTABLE SAW TIMBER 



An area to come under this classification 

 should contain mostly trees over twelve inches 

 in diameter at breast height. Here again, how- 

 ever, you may find a scattering of trees much 

 smaller. The trees should be commercially 

 usable species. The value will be determined by 



taking into consideration the condition of the 

 trees, whether they are alive, sound, of good 

 quality, and still growing, or showing signs of 

 decay. While some species of trees are more 

 in demand than others, and therefore more valu- 

 able, the number of board feet per acre would 

 have a bearing on the amount a purchaser would 

 pay. We cannot stress these items without mak- 

 ing the appraisal of timberland so hard that you 

 Will find it difficult to follow the instructions. 

 However, you can readily tell the difference be- 

 tween a tract that has a great many trees over 

 twelve inches in diameter and one that does not 

 have as many, both areas being in this particu- 

 lar classification. (See Figure 5) 



In many areas you will find small acreages 

 of good merchantable timber that would ordi- 

 narily bring a fairly good price on the market. 

 However, there is such a small quantity avail- 

 able that it will not be worth the cost to harvest. 

 When you find these conditions, even though the 

 available timber is of the best, you should not 

 appraise it at the highest value because it will 

 not bring this price on the open market. 



74 



