Percentage change 
10 12 14 16+ 
Diameter class 
(diameter-breast-height in inches) 
Figure 3.25—Percentage change in the number of live pine trees on other private timberland in the Southeast region 
between the most recent forest surveys, by diameter class 
Table 3.17—Annual mortality of softwood growing stock on timber- 
land in the South, by region and ownership, 1952-84 
Million cubic feet 
Region Neat 
and aN ETE sh S 
ownership 1952 1962 1970 1976 1984 
Southeast 
Public 23 26 25 40 62 
Forest industry 44 51 41 64 82 
Other private! 168 183 193 312 394 
Total 235 260 259 416 538 
South Central ; 
Public 14 22 26 26 51 
Forest industry 39 52 52 65 118 
Other private! 44 64 88 121 246 
Total 97 138 166 212 415 
South 
Public 37 48 51 66 113 
Forest industry 83 103 93 129 200 
Other private’ 212 247 281 433 640 
Total 332 398 425 628 953 
' Includes mortality on timberland leased to forest industry. 
basal area per acre beyond what has been explained by 
changes in average stand density and age. 
The causes of the decline in diameter and basal-area growth 
in the Southeast have not been determined. Changes in stand 
density and stand age, drought or other weather factors, the 
loss of fertility in old fields that came back to pine, an 
increase in hardwood competition, and atmospheric deposi- 
tion are all possible contributing factors. 
All of the factors affecting net annual growth are the result 
of forces that are not easily or quickly changed. The recent 
downturn in net annual growth of softwood in the Southeast 
is projected to continue until 1990, after which softwood 
growth will turn back up. By 1990, net annual growth of 
softwood in the Southeast is projected to be about 2.7 
billion cubic feet, which means a further decrease of at least 
8 percent below current levels. Beyond 1990, annua! 
softwood growth is projected to climb back up to 3.5 biliic 
cubic feet toward the end of the projection period. 
Most of the further decline in softwood growth will be on 
other private land. In this broad ownership category, soft- 
wood growth is projected to decrease another 25 percent 
151 
