Crop Tree Release - Preharvest		Contents

Stand conditions: This hardwood stand occupies a moist cove in Patrick County Virginia. The species mix of yellow-poplar and northern red oak suggest a moist and rich site. A tree core was not taken to determine age, but the presence of 15 inch yellow-poplar suggests a stand age of around 40 (or maybe a little less), with relatively rapid growth. As white oak grows much more slowly than yellow-poplar, the presence of a 15 inch diameter white oak suggests a stand of mixed age. Many woodlots are of mixed ages because woodlot trees tend to be used as need arises. The goal here is to make some room for the trees with the greatest potential for economic return, the crop trees. Which trees would you select as crop trees?

Age: Mixed

Trees per acre: 279

Total value per acre: $3892 *

• Sawtimber: 10,000 board feet = $3571
• Pulpwood: 18 cords = $321

Cut it!

* Growth data represented here is based on one prism point sample within the harvested stand. Monetary data is based on 2003 dollars and timber values. Actual payments to landowners are generally 50% of gross payments, but vary widely with distance to mills, terrain, harvest size, etc.