Pre-Commercial Thinning Loblolly Pines: Does It Pay? (FOR188/FR243)


The decision to pre-commercially thin a stand is often difficult for many landowners because of the costs involved with implementing this treatment. It is costly but, when applied properly, it is a financially attractive investment. It is performed before trees reach merchantable size, to reduce densities in overstocked stands and improve the growth of the remaining trees. This 6-page fact sheet was written by R. Williams, K. Bohn, J. McKeithen and C. Demers, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr243

FOR-188/FR243 Pre-Commercial Thinning Loblolly Pines ? Does It Pay?

Figure 1. This pine tree has 32 ft. of live crown and a total height of 80 ft. for a live crown ratio of 40 percent.
FOR-188, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Williams, R.A., K. Bohn and J. McKeithen, describes methods and silvicultural and economic benefits for reducing tree density before the trees reach merchantable size. Includes references. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, June 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FR243