Tree Value Calculator

[Larry]

Playing with the tree value calculator and don't understand quite how it works.  Input all the variables and hit calculate.  Comes back with a dollar value.  Go back in and the only thing that I change is the species and the tree value changes.  At first I thought the calculator was taking bark thickness into consideration but the volume doesn't change.  What is going on?

[Ron Wenrich]

What's going on is that your yield changes as the species change. I developed that calculator from a USDA research publication.  The amount of FAS, F1F, 1 Com, etc are taken down to a formula based on tree diameter and the value of 1 Com lumber.  

I wouldn't go out and buy timber using the calculator.  There is a wide variation from site to site, even though the species remain the same.  Also, past management practices have a huge impact on quality.  Something often overlooked during current management practices.

I would use the calculator to see what happens when you jump from one diameter class to another.  That helps to see how much the value will increase from one thinning to the next.  Leave it or let it be.

For future expectations, sometimes the markets will change dramatically.  Did you expect hard maple prices to change as much as they have 10 years ago?  

[Larry]

Thanks Ron.  I was just curious on how it worked.  I can see how it would be useful for future projections.