Estimates of biomass in logging residue and standing residual inventory following tree-harvest activity on timberland acres in the Southern region

Abstract

This report provides estimates of biomass (green tons) in logging residue and standing residual inventory on timberland acres with evidence of tree cutting. Biomass as defined by Forest Inventory and Analysis is the aboveground dry weight of wood in the bole and limbs of live trees = 1-inch diameter at breast height (d.b.h.), and excludes tree foliage, seedlings, and understory vegetation. Total timberland area with evidence of tree cutting averaged just over 6.0 million acres per year for all 13 Southern States over a 14-year period from 1994 to 2008. Final harvest was the primary type of cutting and averaged almost 2.3 million acres. Partial harvest and commercial thinning accounted for 1.8 million acres, and 1.7 million acres, respectively. As a result of annual tree cutting of all types in all 13 Southern States, a total of 737 million green tons of residual biomass in standing live trees remained after harvesting. Of that volume, biomass in all-live residual inventory trees (= 1.0-inch d.b.h.) on final harvest acres amounted to nearly 457 million green tons. Biomass in rough and rotten trees from all other cutting combined totaled just over 280 million green tons. If recovered, this material could be used to help supply a biofuels industry in the South.