THE SOUTHERN CYPRESS, 59 
The approximate annual money increment of the tree may be 
readily calculated by multiplying the number of board feet the tree 
is producing annually by the current stumpage rate. Thus, at $5 
per thousand board feet, the trees in Table 16 are increasing in 
value annually at the rate of about 4 cents each for a 15-inch tree, 
5 cents for an 18-inch tree, and 10 cents for a 24-inch tree. This 
indicates also the increasing rate of annual money returns from trees 
of large size. By ascertaining the number of trees of each diameter 
group and applying to them the figures shown in Table 17, the total 
increase of the stand may be obtained mm round numbers. Average 
annual increases in value of about $4 per acre represent approxi- 
mately the enhancement of a stand of 100 trees per acre of an average 
present size of 15 inches, growing at the rate of 1 inch in diameter 
in 3 years; at a slower rate of 1 inch in 4 years the increase will be 
about $3 per acre. 
In the absence of yield tables, which are difficult to obtain in the 
uneven or all-aged cypress stands, the above calculation, based upon 
Table 17 and volume and stand tables, may be used as a satisfactory 
approximation of the increasing value of young growing cypress. 
In the representative stand used for illustration (p. 57), approx- 
imately 750 board feet or 6 per cent of the total volume would be 
left if the original stand were cut to a 16-inch diameter limit; if cut 
to an 18-inch hmit about 10 per cent of the stand would remain.’ 
Growing at the rate of 1 inch in 4 years, the trees left will increase 5 
inches in diameter in the next 20 years, reaching the next higher 
diameter class of 16 to 20 inches. Allowing 10 per cent loss in num- 
bers for death and permanent injury, there will then be about 9 
merchantable trees per acre, from 16 to 20 inches in diameter, with 
a total volume of 1,800 board feet. This is an increase of 1,050 
feet, or 140 per cent. A stumpage rate of $5 per thousand feet 
gives a total value of $9, or an increase of $5.25. If the stand is 
cut to an 18-inch minimum limit, about 1,250 board feet will be left, 
valued at $6.25. In 20 years the 12 trees will increase by about 
1,810 feet, or approximately 145 per cent, and be worth $15.30. 
Stumpage in 20 years may be higher than $5, but only present values 
are used in these calculations. 
If these figures of money yield do not appear attractive as com- 
pared with other forms of investment, the unproductive character 
oi the land except for timber growth must not be overlooked. 
1 Good grade of second-growth cypress. 
2 Based upon Table 20. 
8 Based upon Table 15. 
