Trends in Southern pulpwood production, 1953-2006

Abstract

Southern pulpwood production has increased nearly fourfold from 16.2 million cords (43.9 million green tons) in 1953 to 64.7 million cords (170.9 million green tons) in 2006. Softwood roundwood production more than doubled in the same time period; however, softwood production expressed as a proportion of the total production has declined from 87 percent in 1953 to 49 percent in 2006. In contrast, hardwood roundwood production and production from residues of all types substantially increased. The average daily pulping capacity of southern mills climbed from 28,670 tons per day in 1953 to 125,093 tons per day in 2006. Southern mills accounted for 70 percent of the Nation?s total pulping capacity in 2006.

Keywords

FIA, pulping capacity, pulpmills, pulpwood, residues, roundwood

Citation

Johnson, Tony G.; Steppleton, Carolyn D.; Howell, Michael. 2008. Trends in Southern pulpwood production, 1953-2006. Resour. Bull. SRS-139. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 53 p.