Tree Farm Experience?

[StatHaldol]

We are considering putting a few acres (10) into pine trees. I've read everything on our state ag website (Louisiana).

Any pros and cons would be appreciated.

Mike in Louisiana

[DM]

What kind of pine tree's? And for what purpose? Christmas tree's??

DM

[Deberosa]

We just bought a place with 8 acres leased as a tree farm. The land leases for 2,000 a year. There are pines, but also alot of spruces that are smaller. It's a 10 year lease and this is the third year, but some of the trees were planted long before the lease started.

I talked to the grower - he sells them as landscape trees and erosion control. That's what the pines are for. The market stinks right now though.

They dig them out of course for landscape trees. That part I don't like because there goes the top soil with it. I won't do trees after this is over unless it's Christmas trees and that is a really horrible market anymore...

About pine trees, I am in SW Virginia and it's OK so far but get much farther south and you have pine beetle issues that can kill all of your trees.

That's about all I know at this point about the tree farm that we purchased this summer. I do know the farmer has only been here once to mow the rows between the trees (a bunch of Mexicans) and with a big machete trim the pine trees. They are looking a bit weedy now and if he doesn't come back I'll probably be out there with the walk behind trimmer when it gets a bit cooler.

Debbie

[NCLee]

About 30+ years ago, a neighbor bought a farm and planted all of the open land, except around his home in pines. He borrowed my father's one row tobacco planter to plant the seedlings.

Over the years he's had some problems with beaver (when the trees were small) and ice storms. Once the trees reached the needed height, he started doing controlled burns to take care of the hardwood seedlings and understory brush fire hazards. He also maintains fire lanes/breaks, in the event that an uncontrolled fire starts from lightning or some human cause.

As the trees grew, he had pulp wood companies come in and thin the trees. This was done in a pattern that allowed adjacent trees to grow. Don't know how many times he's done that, but each time it produced revenue for him.

Now he has stands of pines that are maturing into lumber grade trees. Barring a natural disaster, he now has a tidy sum, in terms of investment, on the stump.

If you have the land and plant appropriate trees for future investment, IMHO, it's well worth the intial time and effort. That's based on seeing what my neighbor has done. For your area, pines might not be the best choice. The forestery service in your area is probably your best resource with regards what to plant. That said, here's some thoughts, FWIW.

Pecan trees, black walnut trees, hickory, even fast growing poplar may be better choices than pines. Pecans will give a nut crop as well as providing a desired lumber, and even wood chips for BBQ'ers. Same with black walnut -- prized wood, even the stumps of that are sold. Hickory nuts are good, but I don't think there's a market for them. However, hickory wood is another prized wood for several different reasons. Popular is a fast growing tree and the wood is in demand as a secondary wood in furniture building and as a good wood for painted cabinets, furniture, etc.

Hope these thoughts are helpful in making your decision.

Lee