Recent Trends in Afforestation and Reforestation of Nonindustrial Private Pine Forests in Alabama

摘要

A shrinking of Alabama's nonindustrial private pine forest prompted an analysis of recent trends in afforestation and regeneration. There has been an 828,100-acre addition to the nonindustrial pine-site timberland base from nonforest land uses. Planting has replaced natural seeding as the major cause of afforestation to pine. The area of nonindustrial pine-site timberland harvested in Alabama increased by 29 percent recently. Across all forest types, 68 percent of the harvest area had at least medium stocking of pine following harvest. There has been a significant improvement in the rate at which sites capable of supporting pine are regenerated with pine. The reforestation rate was estimated at 73 percent, compared with 47 percent 8 years ago.