Landowners do not realize the income lost due to hardwood competition in their pine stands- both natural and planted. The study shows that the impact of hardwood competition on pine yield is substantial.
Hardwoods rob the stand of sawtimber volume, which is often the most valuable product in the stand.
Reducing hardwood competition unshackles the growth potential of these pines, resulting in faster development of larger diameter timber. Compare that to a twenty-five year old natural loblolly stand with twenty percent hardwood competition. In other words, the stand loses more than one-quarter of its potential income because of hardwood competition. Less sawtimber is what accounts for the difference. Research like this continues to show the compelling value of reducing hardwood competition in pine stands - natural or planted.