Percent of total 
20 
16 
12 
1977 (i 1985 
Diameter class 
(diameter-breast-height in inches) 
Figure 3.45—Percentage distribution of hardwood growing stock on timberland in the South, by diameter class, 
1977 and 1985 
Sweetgum 
12% 
Other gums 
Other hardwoods 10% 
19% 
Yellow poplar 
9% 
Hickory 
9, 
Other red oaks Te 
20% 
Select white oaks 
: 10% 
Select red oaks 
5% Other white oaks 
9% 
Figure 3.46—Percentage distribution of hardwood growing 
stock on timberland in the South, by species, 1985 
188 
Because of the large concentration of hardwoods in the 
southern Appalachian Mountains, North Carolina and 
Virginia are the leading States in hardwood inventory (fig. 
3.47, app. tables 3.51—3.62 and 3.65— 3.76). Each of these 
States has more than 17 billion cubic feet of hardwood 
growing stock. 
Collectively, oaks account for 40 percent of the current 
inventory of hardwood growing stock; gums, 23 percent; and 
yellow-poplar, 12 percent. Hickory, ash, and other hard- 
textured species account for 12 percent. Red maple and other 
soft-textured species make up the remaining 13 percent. 
A further increase of 6 percent in the inventory of hard- 
wood growing stock is projected for the Southeast between 
1985 and 2000, before the trend turns down. Much of this 
increase occurs on other private land, primarily in the 
corporate and other individual categories. In fact, the buildup 
in hardwood inventories in these two owner categories 
continues beyond 2000. On public land, hardwood inven- 
