A Forested Tract-Size Profile of Virginia's NIPF Landowners.

Abstract

Information gathered from 3,221 permanent Forest Survey sample plots showed that nearly 1.3 million acres, or 11 percent, of the nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) timberland in Virginia is in forested tracts 10 acres or less. Forested tracts ranging from 11 to 100 acres accounted for the largest proportion of NIPF timberland. Forested tract size varied significantly by NIPF-ownership group and broad management class. By NIPF-ownership group, the other corporate group recorded the highest average forested tract size of 684 acres. By management class, natural pine stands recorded the lowest average forested tract size of 128 acres. Volume and net annual growth of growing stock were stable across all forested tract-size categories. Softwood growing-stock removals were stable across all forested tract-size categories, whereas hardwood growing-stock removals increased successively up to the largest tract-size category.

Keywords

Timberland, forest ownership, forested tract size, timber volume, timber growth, timber removals.

Citation

Thompson, Michael T; Johnson, Tony G. 1996. A Forested Tract-Size Profile of Virginia's NIPF Landowners. Res. Pap. SRS-1.Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 10 p.