[9 4% return = [__] 10% return 
Regeneration with 
site preparation 
Regeneration without 
site preparation 
Convert stand 
Precommercial 
thinning 
Commercial 
thinning 
Stocking 
control 
Clearcut 
Salvage 
harvest 
Billion cubic feet 
Figure 5.14—Economic opportunities to increase net annual 
growth on timberland in the South, by rate of return and 
treatment 
data can be obtained by request from J. Michael Vasievich, 
USDA Forest Service, 1407 South Harrison Road, East 
Lansing, MI 48823. The highlights of these data are briefly 
summarized below. 
Florida—Florida has 7.8 million acres of timberland 
needing some treatment to increase productivity. There are 
economic opportunities that would earn 4 percent or more 
on 7.2 million acres. Treating these acres would require in- 
vestments of $645 million. These investments could in- 
crease net annual growth by 271 million cubic feet. On a 
per-acre basis, costs for treatments in Florida average $89, 
and incremental yields are 37 cubic feet annually. 
There are economic opportunities at a 10-percent rate of 
return on 3 million acres. Implementing these opportunities 
would cost $170 million and produce 118 million cubic feet 
of timber annually. 
248 
Georgia—Georgia has about 10 million acres of 
timberland that need treatments; there are opportunities on 
9.2 million acres that could earn 4 percent or more. The 
investments needed for these treatments would be $797 
million, and net annual timber growth would increase 419 
million cubic feet The average treatment cost is $87 per 
acre; average yields would go up by 46 cubic feet each 
year. 
About 5.3 million acres in Georgia could be treated and 
earn 10-percent above inflation. The investment needed to 
treat these acres is $379 million. Annual timber growth 
would go up by 256 million cubic feet. 
North Carolina—The area of timberland needing treat- 
ment in North Carolina is 7.7 million acres. Almost 7 mil- 
lion acres could be treated at a 4-percent rate. These treated 
acres would produce 321 million cubic feet annually for an 
investment of $652 million. The average cost per acre is 
$93, and the average growth increment is 46 cubic feet. 
Nearly 4.2 million acres could earn a 10-percent return 
and produce 204 million cubic feet each year for an invest- 
ment of $356 million. 
South Carolina—This State has 4.9 million acres need- 
ing treatment and 4.4 million acres that could earn 4 per- 
cent or more. The average cost for these acres is $95, and 
the average increase in yield is 41 cubic feet annually. The 
total investment required is $420 million to produce an an- 
nual growth increment of 183 million cubic feet. 
About 2.2 million acres in South Carolina could earn 10 
percent or more on the investments. Treatment of these 
high-return acres would require $155 million. This invest- 
ment would increase timber growth by 97 million cubic 
feet each year. 
Virginia—About 6.5 million acres in Virginia need 
some treatment. Of these acres, 5.7 million could earn 4 
percent or more on the investments. The total investment 
needed for these treatments is $531 million, and the addi- 
tional yield attainable is about 272 million cubic feet. Av- 
erage per—acre costs for Virginia are $94, and the average 
yield increment is 48 cubic feet annually. 
Investments on 3 million acres could earn a return of 10 
percent or more. These acres would add 150 million cu- 
bic feet of net annual growth for an investment of $275 
million. 
