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Title:	Visual tree grading systems for estimating lumber yields in young and mature southern pine
Author(s):	Clark, Alexander, III; McAlister, Robert H.
Date:	1998
Source:	Forest Products Journal. 48(10): 59-67.
Description:	New visual tree grading systems for mature southern pine ? 35 years old and young pine ? 35 years old based on number and size of branches in the lower bole are described. A series of lumber grade yield studies was conducted to test the new grading rules. A total of 214 natural loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and shortleaf pine (P. echinata Mill) trees 9 to 20 inches diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) were harvested from 37-, 39-, 42-, 56-, and 73-year-old stands; 152 loblolly pine trees 9 to 18 inches d.b.h. were harvested from 22-, 25-, 27-, 34-, and 39-year-old planted stands in the Georgia Piedmont. The study trees were graded using the new rules and processed into lumber. Results show the new grading rules separated trees into three significantly different stumpage value classes based on lumber grade yield. Average stumpage value per hundred cubic feet (CCF) of sawlog was 16 percent higher for grade 1 trees compared to grade 2 trees, and that for grade 2 trees was 27 percent higher than for grade 3 trees using the rules for trees ?/= 35 years old. Average stumpage value per CCF of sawlog was 13 percent higher for grade 1 trees compared to grade 2 trees; that for grade 2 trees was 19 percent higher than for grade 3 trees using the rules for trees ? 35 years old. Regression equations are presented for estimating lumber grade yield based on tree grade, dimensions, and age. The grading systems were developed with the cooperative effort of State and Federal agencies and industry.
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