Socio-Economics

Historically, forests have been valued for their life-sustaining attributes and their continuous productivity. They have been the mainstay of many an economy, including that of the Southern United States. The South supports the most productive forestland in the world. Forests allowed the South to develop and flourish. They provide many goods and services from water and air filtration, to employment opportunities, to wood products, and to recreational activities. Society depends on these forest qualities. They form the core of the Souths economic stability and are an intrinsic part of society. Forests are truly the heartbeat of the South.

Significant growth in lumber and paper production after World War II offered many opportunities in the economic development of our nation, but not without concern for the depletion of the timberland resources. Fortunately, strong domestic forest product markets and legislation offering incentives for landowners to practice sustainable conservation forestry has kept timber supply in line with market demands. However, recent shifts in global economic dynamics and third world development are having significant impacts on the primary and secondary wood products industry in the United States.

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The timber resource constitutes 75 percent of the cost in softwood lumber production. Sawmill owners and managers have a vested interest in wood supply and how it may influence future stumpage prices and competitive mill production. Information is presented that looks at the influences, shifts, and trends of the U.S. softwood forest products industry during the 20th century, with a focus on the South (13 states), compares and contrasts softwood timber (sawtimber) supply and removal, addresses the influence of plantation forestry, forestland ownerships, National Forest harvest policy, and industry consolidation and capacity, and projects future wood supply in relation to national policy, population density, and landowner incentives to practice sustainable conservation forestry.

• Wood products and Utilization:
• Land Ownership:
• Recreation & Non-Timber Uses:
• Public Values, Beliefs, and Attitudes:
• Timber Demand & Supply: A key indicator of a sustainable wood supply in the South is the increase of total timber volume despite a simultaneous increase in the harvest levels.
• Local Communities:
• Policy, Regulations, & Laws: