In contrast to the other private situation, about 60 percent of 
the pine and mixed pine—hardwood stands on industry land 
are 20 years and younger. Furthermore, most of these young 
stands are pine plantations. As these young pine plantations 
develop, a substantial increase in the inventory of softwood is 
expected on this ownership. Because many of these pine 
plantations are managed on rotations of 30 years or shorter, 
increases in inventory volume might not continue much beyond 
the projection period unless forest industry acquires additional 
acres. 
Although public timberland accounts for only 12 percent of 
the softwood inventory, it accounts for a larger share of the 
bigger timber. More than 20 percent of all the pine and mixed 
pine—hardwood stands over 50 years old in the region are on 
public land. Furthermore, 30 percent of all pine and mixed 
pine—hardwood stands on public land are over 50 years old. 
Most of this public timber is on national forests and defense 
installations. Strictly from the biological standpoint, there are 
opportunities to increase the harvest of softwood from public 
lands; however, most of these lands are managed for multiple 
uses. If the accumulation of older stands on public land 
Percent of total 
20 
16 
12 
10 12 
14 
continues, some decline in growth and rate of inventory 
buildup can be expected. 
By forest management type, 57 percent of the softwood 
growing stock is still in natural pine stands, but this proportion 
is dropping. Not only is the proportion of total softwood 
inventory in natural pine stands decreasing, the actual volume 
of softwood in these stands is also going down. Between 
1977 and 1985, volume of softwood growing stock in natural 
pine stands declined 4 percent. 
Currently, 16 percent of the softwood growing stock is in 
pine plantations, and this proportion will increase very rapidly 
with the development of several million acres of young 
plantations already established. Between 1977 and 1985, 
volume of softwood growing stock in pine plantations 
increased by 58 percent. These estimates of softwood volume 
in pine plantations exclude softwood volume in pine planta- 
tions classed as mixed pine—hardwood or hardwood type 
because of hardwood encroachment. 
When all forest management types are combined, southern 
pines account for 88 percent of the total inventory of soft- 
GR 1985 
16 18 20 22+ 
Diameter class 
(diameter-breast-height in inches) 
Figure 3.29—Percentage distribution of softwood growing stock on timberland in the South, by diameter class, 
1977 and 1985 
160 
