South 
Southeast 
South Central 
Natural regeneration 
1500 2000 2500 
Million cubic feet 
Figure 5.15—Potential net annual growth from planted pine or naturally regenerated pine and 
hardwoods on all marginal cropland and pasture in the South, by region 
If the marginal cropland and pasture in the 
South were allowed to revert naturally to 
trees, it would in time grow about 780 
million cubic of timber a year. While this is 
much below the net annual growth that 
would be attained if the land were planted 
to pine, the direct investment costs are nil. 
im) 
nN 
ir) 
to pine while others would become predominantly hardwood 
stands. For the Southeast region, it was assumed that 70 
percent of the sites would revert to pine and 30 percent to 
upland hardwoods; for the South Central region, 40 percent 
to pine and 60 percent to upland hardwoods. The regional 
shares of the net annual growth from naturally regenerated 
stands are 467 million cubic feet (60 percent) for the South 
Central States and 315 million cubic feet (40 percent) for 
States in the Southeast. 
Opportunities on Highly Erodible Cropland 
Timber production opportunities on highly erodible 
cropland, included in marginal cropland and pasture, were 
also examined separately. Estimates of highly erodible crop- 
land acres were based on figures from the Soil Conserva- 
tion Service on cropland in the South in Land Capability 
Classes 3e, 4e, 6e, and 7e that would be suitable for plant- 
ing to trees. On these lands, erosion is a major limitation 
to keeping the land in cultivation for crops. Cropland acres 
in these land classes are likely to be eligible for the Con- 
servation Reserve Program. 
