Opportunities and Problems in Utilizing Wood Products in the Southern and South Central Forests

Summary: Rebuilding of the South's pine forests and broader utilization of its hardwood stands are essential to the economic health of the region's forest industries. Southern pine lumber markets have suffered because of much low-quality lumber cut from small, low-grade trees typical of the under stocked, poorly managed smaller forest ownerships. Intense competition for stumpage from the rapidly expanding pulp industry has resulted in premature heavy cutting. Full stocking, better stand management, integrated utilization, and better protection from natural enemies, together with genetic research aimed at higher-quality growing stock, are essential to the redevelopment of southern pine. New products such as laminated wood, fiberboards, and particle boards offer promise of utilizing small or low-grade timber and mill refuse. Hardwoods predominate in many areas, including former pine lands. Cull trees exceed one-third of the hardwood growing stock. Improved quality is badly needed. Greater use of hardwoods for pulping will result from increased use of the semichemical processes. Fiberboards, charcoal, and new chemical processes under development can be expected to utilize much hardwood cull timber, permitting management practices designed to maintain essential supplies of high-quality sawtimber for lumber and veneer.