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Cottonwood Culture and Research in the South

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Plantation culture of cottonwood became operational by the mid-sixties, and by 1970, more than 5,000 acres per year were being planted to cottonwood in the South. Indications were that this amount might increase. But, in spite of improved clones and additional research findings, acreage planted per year has decreased to about 3,000 acres. This decline in planted acreage was caused by a combination of factors including soaring land values, interest rates and costs of fuel, labor and equipment; problems with survival rate and anticipated long-term growth rate; misjudgment of site; land use for soybeans; failure of pulpwood markets to develop as expected; and recent losses to floods, insects, and diseases. New clones, techniques that reduce establishment costs, improved markets for small wood, and interest outside the Delta should result in an increased rate of planting.

Keywords

Populus deltoides

Citation

Cooper, D. T. 1979. Cottonwood Culture and Research in the South. In: North American Poplar Council Annual Meeting Proceedings 1979: 3-11.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/42435