Elba Acres

Timber

A timber-type map is provided within the map suite. Elba Acres has a diverse collection of merchantable and premerchantable loblolly pine plantations and natural pine and hardwood timber.   Timber volumes are shown in the property report. These are maintained in a database and were provided by the current landowner. F&W Forestry Services, Inc. and the landowner do not guarantee any acreages, volumes, or product classes shared.

For timber management of plantations in this region, the typical plan is to conduct a thinning at or near age 15. This thinning will generate some timber income, but its purpose is primarily to keep the plantation healthy and grow well and help it transition into higher-value timber products such as saw timber.

Thinning will also add significant benefits to wildlife value and diversity. Thus, thinning at the appropriate time is recommended regardless of the objective.

If the objective is to maximize return on timber value, it could be made most productive by conducting a woody release and fertilizing post-thinning. It should be ready for a second thinning at or near age 21 and reach full financial maturity between the ages of 25 and 28. At this time, a final harvest could be conducted to capture its value.

If your objective is to enhance aesthetics and wildlife value, after the age of 15, thinning a prescribed burning regimen can begin every two or three years. Conducting control burns will enhance wildlife value, reduce the risk of loss to wildfire, improve aesthetics, and aid in controlling undesired species within the plantation.

While the hardwood-dominated acreage that follows the creek has marketable value, most landowners choose to leave these stands intact.
Leaving them intact protects the integrity of the stream and adds diversity to the property. This tract has a good representation of white oak within this area that produces acorns, which can provide an excellent wildlife food source during the fall of the year.