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Previous articles have expressed the importance of thinning a pine plantation on a 5 to 7 year schedule, after the initial planting of the pine stand. Around the age of 15 years, the first thinning involves removing every fifth row and thinning the remaining rows. The second thinning, occurring 5 to 7 years later, is an improvement thinning to relieve stagnation. This same process is done again, 5 to 7 years after the second thinning and at the third thinning. 

Now, 5 to 7 years after the third thinning, you have a healthy stand of pin saw timber that is mature and ready for the final harvest. As pines reach maturity, growth rates in pine trees start to slow down. Where southern pines in the south can produce productively up to the age of 30-35, pine stands that are reaching full maturity will decline in health as well. As growth slows and climatic conditions persist, the pine trees may begin to stress and bug infestations become more prevalent, which reduces the monetary value of your pine stands.

Growth rates for the pine trees are averaging 4%-6% per year, whereas the soils are capable of producing loblolly pine trees that would average 12% to 15% per year, over a 35-year period. FNC foresters will do a field inspection and evaluate the timber. We will provide recommendations to the landowner and, if agreed, proceed with the timber sale process.

During the final stage, the stand should be harvested to remove all merchantable timber and leave the stand as clean as possible to minimize reforestation costs.

Our years of experience have helped clients navigate the challenges of timber management and make their timberlands productive and profitable, from start to finish. Reforesting a tract after the final harvest can keep your tract in perpetual income, maintain high land value, and lower land taxes. 

Take the next step in maximizing the value of your pine plantation. Contact FNC foresters today!