to decrease by 34 percent. These trends continue through 
2030. 
Trends in the Southeast 
Between 1952 and 1962, softwood timber removals in the 
Southeast decreased by 14 percent as declines in the soft- 
wood lumber industry more than offset rapid expansion in 
the pulp and paper industry (app. tables 3.21 and 3.35). 
Between 1962 and 1970, softwood removals increased back 
to near the 1952 level. 
Between 1970 and the early 1980’s, softwood timber 
removals in the Southeast rose by almost 50 percent. This 
increase occurred across all States (fig. 3.23) and on all 
ownerships and management types. This reflected rising 
demands for softwood pulpwood, sawlogs, and veneer 
logs. By 1984, annual removals of softwood had reached 2.7 
billion cubic feet, but the rate of increase was slowing. 
By 2030, annual removals of softwood in the Southeast are 
projected to increase to 3.2 billion cubic feet, or to 17 
percent above current levels. These results indicate a signi- 
ficant slowdown in the rate of increase in softwood removals 
from the rate over the past 20 years. 
Most of the additional increase will occur on forest industry 
land, where annual softwood removals are projected to 
increase by 72 percent. By management type, most of the 
additional increase occurs on pine plantations, where more 
than a fourfold increase is projected. 
Trends in the South Central Region 
Softwood removal trends in the South Central region are 
very similar to trends in softwood supplies since removals 
from growing stock comprise such a large percentage of 
timber supplies. After a slight decline between 1952 and 
1962, total softwood removals increased steadily through 
1976 and then increased more slowly to current levels. Total 
removals of softwood growing stock in the South Central 
region reached 2.7 billion cubic feet in 1984 (app. tables 
3.22 and 3.36). The most significant recent increases have 
occurred in Alabama (fig. 3.24). 
By ownership category, removals have increased by 74 
percent for other private owners and by 160 percent for 
forest industry owners since 1962. The latter jump reflects 
trends in timberland acreage as well as the increasing 
management intensity practiced on forest industry timber- 
lands. Softwood removals from plantations have been 
increasing. 
By 2030, annual removals of softwood in the South Central 
region are projected to increase to 3.6 billion cubic feet, 
or to 34 percent above current levels. As in the Southeast, 
these results indicate a slowdown in the rate of increase in 
softwood removals from the rate over the past 20 years. 
Most of the increase in the South Central region will occur 
on forest industry land, where annual softwood removals 
are projected to go up by almost 58 percent by 2030. Large 
increases are also projected on other corporate holdings as 
well as on national forests. By management type, most of 
the additional increase occurs on pine plantations, where 
an eightfold increase is projected. Softwood removals from 
natural pine and mixed pine—hardwood stands are projected 
to be about half of the current level by 2030. 
Trends by State 
Between 1952 and 1962, softwood timber removals declined 
in every State except Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma 
as softwood supplies (harvests) decreased (figs. 3.23 and 
3.24, app. tables 3.23-3.34 and 3.37—3.48). In terms of 
volume, the largest decreases occurred in North Carolina, 
Florida, and South Carolina. Between 1962 and 1970, 
softwood removals turned back up in every State except 
Tennessee and Virginia. Since forest surveys in Virginia 
indicated softwood removals were exceeding net growth, 
there was some pullback in the rate of softwood harvest in 
the State. Earlier surveys had measured a softwood growth 
deficit in Tennessee. 
Between 1970 and 1976, softwood removals rose in every 
State. In terms of volume, the largest increases occurred in 
Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, and Louisiana. 
Between 1976 and 1984, the largest increases were in 
Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Texas, Florida, and 
Mississippi, where there was a rapid harvest of pine timber 
that grew on idle cropland and pasture between 1945 and 
1965. 
The projected changes in softwood removals follow a 
pattern similar to that described for softwood supplies. For 
example, the largest increases in softwood removals 
between now and 2000 are projected for Arkansas, Florida, 
and Louisiana. Prospective increases in Virginia, North 
Carolina, Tennessee, and Oklahoma are also greater thar the 
regional average. Beyond 2000, the projected increases in 
softwood removals are greatest in Louisiana, Alabama, anc 
Mississippi. Again, the largest percentage increase is in 
Tennessee. 
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