The forestry sector in South Carolina has an annual economic impact of $18.6 billion, employs more than 90,000 people, is the largest harvested crop at $759 million and is the No. 1 export commodity from the Port of Charleston at $1.5 billion. And yet, there remains plenty of room for growth.
“Forestry is important to South Carolina because almost 70 percent of the forestland is owned by private individuals,” said Walt McPhail, chairman of the South Carolina Forestry Commission and president of the Greenville Forestry and Wildlife Society. “And timber is a valuable and renewable resource for the state. One of the problems we’re facing right now is that not enough of our forestland is properly managed. If we could improve our forest management even 10 percent, it would result in a tremendous increase in revenues.”
If landowners actively manage their forests, the forests will be healthier and more vigorous and will return the favor by producing high-quality products and amenities. From the time a pine seedling is planted, it takes 35-40 years before it reaches full maturity. Thinning the understory, harvesting trees at the proper time and replanting new trees are all critical to maintaining a robust woodland.
“Private landowners are the key to retaining and growing the state’s forest industry,” S.C. State Forester Gene Kodama said. “More active forest management can increase landowners’ investment returns, provide cash flow for more active management, keep forest as forests, protect the environment and support more forestry and related jobs. The state and the industry need to do more to educate landowners on the advantages of forestry and how to conduct good forest management.”
South Carolina’s trees are split about 50-50 between pine and hardwood types. But in the southeastern United States, pines are the most valuable to grow and harvest. To further emphasize the importance of forest management, pine plantations — defined as stands of pine that are crisply managed, harvested and replanted — represent 25 percent of the state’s timberland but produce 50 percent of the timber cut each year.
From The Times & Democrat: https://thetandd.com/business/agriculture/s-c-forestry-industry-has-plenty-of-room-for-growth/article_e7659d8d-6adf-5024-abee-3300df0a2220.html