Stocking and intensity of thinning affect log size and value in 'Eucalyptus pilularis'

Cassidy, M; Palmer, G; Glencross, K; Nichols, J D; Smith, R Geoff B

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2011.10.007

Author(s)

Cassidy, M

Palmer, G

Glencross, K

Nichols, J D

Smith, R Geoff B

Publication Date

2012

Abstract

Stocking at and after thinning forest plantations influences the site resources available to each tree, thereby affecting the size of logs and the value of the stand at harvest. Log prices generally indicate increasing value with increasing log size. A 'Eucalyptus pilularis' Correlated Curve Trend (CCT) trial was used to examine distribution of tree size for stands established at 1495 trees ha⁻¹ and progressively thinned to final stocking densities of 700, 450, 250, 125 and 87 stems ha⁻¹. Diameter at breast height over bark and total height measurements, collected periodically over 36 years, were used to define stem taper. Smalian's sectional volume formula was used to calculate log volume at 1-m intervals. Stems were then merchandised to current log size and pricing to determine optimum dollar values. Establishment and early maintenance costs were used to calculate net present value (NPV) at a discount rate of 6% and internal rate of return (IRR). The relationship between value over time and final stocking was irregular. The control (1495 stems ha−1) had the highest volume ha⁻¹ at age 36 years. Final stocking densities of 125 stems ha⁻¹ and 700 stems ha⁻¹ achieved the highest (8.13%) and lowest (6.19%) IRR, respectively.

Citation

Forest Ecology and Management, v.264, p. 220-227

ISSN

1872-7042

0378-1127

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/13156

Language

en

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Title

Stocking and intensity of thinning affect log size and value in 'Eucalyptus pilularis'

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Cassidy, M Palmer, G Glencross, K Nichols, J D Smith, R Geoff B
Publication Date	2012
Abstract	Stocking at and after thinning forest plantations influences the site resources available to each tree, thereby affecting the size of logs and the value of the stand at harvest. Log prices generally indicate increasing value with increasing log size. A 'Eucalyptus pilularis' Correlated Curve Trend (CCT) trial was used to examine distribution of tree size for stands established at 1495 trees ha⁻¹ and progressively thinned to final stocking densities of 700, 450, 250, 125 and 87 stems ha⁻¹. Diameter at breast height over bark and total height measurements, collected periodically over 36 years, were used to define stem taper. Smalian's sectional volume formula was used to calculate log volume at 1-m intervals. Stems were then merchandised to current log size and pricing to determine optimum dollar values. Establishment and early maintenance costs were used to calculate net present value (NPV) at a discount rate of 6% and internal rate of return (IRR). The relationship between value over time and final stocking was irregular. The control (1495 stems ha−1) had the highest volume ha⁻¹ at age 36 years. Final stocking densities of 125 stems ha⁻¹ and 700 stems ha⁻¹ achieved the highest (8.13%) and lowest (6.19%) IRR, respectively.
Citation	Forest Ecology and Management, v.264, p. 220-227
ISSN	1872-7042 0378-1127
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/13156
Language	en
Publisher	Elsevier BV
Title	Stocking and intensity of thinning affect log size and value in 'Eucalyptus pilularis'
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

Stocking and intensity of thinning affect log size and value in 'Eucalyptus pilularis'

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