Trends by State 
Between 1952 and 1976, there were large increases in the 
net annual growth of softwood in every State in the South 
(figs. 3.23 and 3.24, app. tables 3.23—3.34 and 3.37-3.48). 
Toward the end of this period, the rate of increase slowed 
down and two States, Alabama and Tennessee, experienced 
some decrease in softwood growth. In terms of volume, the 
largest increases occurred in Georgia, South Carolina, 
Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida. Again, the 
establishment and development of pine stands on idle crop- 
land and pasture in most States contributed greatly to the 
large increases. 
Between 1976 and 1984, every State except Florida 
experienced a decrease in softwood growth. In Florida, pine 
plantations account for a larger share of the softwood 
resource than in the other States. The 1984 estimates of 
growth in Florida are also based on older inventory data 
than in most States. 
So far, the largest measured declines in softwood growth in 
terms of volume at the State level have been in South 
Carolina and Alabama. Very large decreases have also been 
measured in the Piedmont and mountains of Georgia and 
North Carolina, but these decreases have been partially offset 
by increases in the Coastal Plain. 
The net annual growth of softwood growing stock projected 
for 1990 is significantly lower than the net annual growth 
in 1984 in all but four States—Oklahoma, Florida, 
Virginia, and Alabama. Some of the largest declines are 
projected in Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and North 
Carolina. 
Net annual growth of softwood is increasing again in all 
States by 2000. In the base projections, the largest per- 
centage increases above current levels are indicated for 
Oklahoma, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Louisiana. 
Of course, action taken between now and 2030 could 
certainly alter these prospective trends. 
Southwide Summary of Softwood Growth Trends 
In summary, the large increase in net annual softwood 
growth in the South between 1952 and 1976 reflects the high 
rate of pine establishment on idle cropland and pasture 
betwen 1945 and 1965 (Knight 1985). During this period, 
the establishment of pine on old fields, whether naturally 
occurring or accomplished through planting, tended to 
compensate for the failure of many other private owners to 
regenerate their pine stands following harvest. 
154 
After 1965, the rate of pine establishment on these other 
private lands dropped as this old-field source of pine regen- 
eration dried up. Many of the other private landowners 
continued to accept whatever regeneration nature provided 
following the harvest of their stands. This practice resulted 
in more and more hardwood encroachment onto pine sites 
and a reduction in the acreage of young pine stands. This 
situation was furthered by the continuing loss of timberland 
to other uses. 
Although forest industries have harvested and regenerated 
stands on lands they own or lease at a very rapid rate since 
1965, the increased growth from their pine plantations has 
not fully compensated for the dropoff on other private 
lands. On many public holdings, there has been a general 
aging of the pine stands because of the long rotations 
practiced. As the average age of pine stands on these public 
lands has increased, there is some evidence of a slowdown 
in cubic growth also. 
The current stand-age distribution of pine and mixed pine— 
hardwood stands in the South reflects the trends described 
(table 3.18). For example, about 45 percent of all pine and 
mixed pine—hardwood stands on other private lands are 
between 20 and 40 years old, compared to 30 percent 20 
years and younger. Table 3.18 also shows the higher con- 
centration of young stands on forest industry lands as well 
as the disproportionate share of older stands on public 
ownerships. 
The large increase in net annual softwood 
growth in the South between 1952 and 1976 
reflects the high rate of pine establishment 
on idle cropland and pasture between 1945 
and 1965. Since 1965 the trends have 
reversed—timberland areas have been 
cleared, cropland and urban areas have 
increased. 
