Author
|
Submitted to: Crossett Forestry Field Day Univ of Ark SREC
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 5/7/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Pine straw is a new and hot forest commodity. With the 1.5 million acres of private loblolly pine plantations, the prospect for a half billion dollar industry in Arkansas exists. This presentation explores the opportunities for increasing farm income through tree planting and pine straw harvesting. Unique characteristics of pine straw as a mulch are presented. Factors affecting pine straw production (tree age, site, species, density/basal area) are analyzed and clarified to provide guidelines in harvesting pine straw on a sustained yield basis. Intermediate results on pine straw and forage production from agroforestry tree plantings are compared with traditional pine forest plantations. Concerns about soil fertility reduction, volume growth reduction, soil degradation, and even pine straw rustling are addressed, and measures to correct these are recommended. Using the U.S. Agroforestry Estate Model (USAEM) to evaluate the profitability or financial consequences of incorporating trees and pine straw harvesting, reveals that farm surplus can increase by as much as 5 times over that of pasture alone, and 2.5 times over that of pasture and trees combined. These analyses are based on a 200 acre pasture in Logan County with the best site index for loblolly pine (85 at base 50) and on current prices of labor, timber, pine straw, pulpwood, cattle, etc. The dramatic increases in farm surplus are mainly attributed to pine straw production which generally starts in loblolly pine at the 8th year. |
