Pulpwood Stumpage Trends in Q1, 2024: South Carolina statewide average pine pulpwood prices were $8.12/ton, and the hardwood pulpwood prices were $9.21/ton in the 1st quarter of 2024. Compared to the pine and hardwood pulpwood prices in the previous quarter (4th of 2023), it is an increase of 7% and 17%, respectively. The change in hardwood prices is quite interesting. There has been an increasing price trend since Q3’23 for both pine hardwoods. The pulpwood prices for both species are close to the level during Q2’23 (see figure 1). It was above-average rainfall across South Carolina in 2023 and this year. It might have impacted harvesting at low-lying or non-all-weather sites.
Sawtimber Stumpage Trends in Q1, 2024: The sawtimber prices for both pine and hardwood had a similar increasing trend like pulpwood since Q3’23. The statewide pine sawtimber prices were $24.15/ton, while mixed hardwood trees sold at $23.07/ton in the 1st quarter of 2024. The % change in sawtimber prices for both pine and hardwood was less than for pulpwood trees. Current prices for sawtimber trees is about similar to the prices that were in Q2’23 (see in figure 2).
Data credit: The sawtimber and pulpwood price data included in this newsletter are published with permission from TimberMart-South Athens, GA 30605 email tmart@timbermart-south.com.
WOOD MARKET IS LOCAL. Stumpage prices for both sawtimber and pulpwood in your local markets could vary significantly as compared to the above statewide averages depending on size and species composition, quality of timber, total acres and volume, logging operability, distance from nearby mills, and overall market condition.
Climate Smart Forestry – Southeastern Resilient Forests of North America
Climate-smart forestry or CSF refers to forestry management practices that are sustainable, adaptive, mitigate damage and sequester carbon. Depending on how a current forest is managed there may be little change in management to convert it to CSF management. Another goal is that CSF aims to manage future problems that may arise and to sequester carbon, while current management practice goals are to fix immediate problems. With this in mind, this project aims to promote CSF through the Southeastern Forestry of North America.
To promote Climate-Smart Forestry (CSF), Clemson is leading a working group to create a learning environment for forestry professionals to learn and implement CSF practices. Named Southeastern Resilient Forest of North America (SERFN). There are three main contributing states: SC, GA, and AL, along with participating institutions within those states: Auburn University, Alabama A& M, the University of Georgia, Clemson University, and the Southeast Climate Hub. However, we welcome all professional and forest landowners in the Southeastern USA to learn and contribute to CSF practices. We are a working group that combines working professionals of all backgrounds to promote a more inclusive CSF practice for the southeast.
Southern Regional Team on CSF. We are creating an online and in-person platform that makes climate-smart forestry practices and management techniques readily available to forestry professionals and forest landowners. To reach three major groups of forestry professionals, extension educators and agents, and natural resource managers and technicians. SERFN will provide learning opportunities that will encompass in-person and online learning. SERFN has three major categories: mitigation, adoption, and resiliency, that are the backbone of what CSF encompasses.
Connecting with the CSF Team. The SERFN team has a social media page now – https://www.facebook.com/people/South-Eastern-Resilient-Forest-of-North-America/61556717288344/
Author(s)
Puskar Khanal, Cooperative Extension, Forestry and Wildlife Specialist
Crystal Bishop, Clemson Climate Smart Forestry Project Manager
This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
