(Copyright Tennessee Timber
Consultants. All rights reserved
The
purpose of the following chart is to display general relationships among typical
Tennessee woodland investments. No
interpretation should be made other than to see, from a very broad perspective,
how one stand investment might compare with alternative strategies. The definitions provided should only be
interpreted in the broadest sense, and will not be true in all instances
statewide. Woodland owners should
always discuss their options with trained professional foresters before making
a final decision regarding investment strategies.
STAND TYPE TIME COST RETURN RISK
International
Upland Hardwood V. Long Low V.
High Low
Domestic
Upland Hardwood V.
Long Low Medium Low1
Low
Quality Upland Hardwood Long Low Low Low
Pine
Pulpwood Short Medium High Medium
Upland
Yellow Pine Sawtimber Medium Medium High Medium
Bottomland
Loblolly Pine Sawtimber Medium Medium V.
High Medium
International
Bottomland Hardwood V. Long low V.
High Medium
Domestic
Bottomland Hardwood V. Long Low High
Medium
Low
Quality Bottomland Hardwood Medium Low Low Medium
International
Cove Hardwood V. Long Low V.
High Low
White
Pine Sawtimber Medium Medium High Medium
Hardwood
Plantations Long High Low High
Paulownia
Specialty Short High V. High V
High
Walnut
Specialty Medium High V.
High High
Xmas
Trees Specialty V.
Short V. High V. High V High
Streamside
Management Zones DNA DNA DNA Medium
Green
Stands DNA DNA DNA
Medium
TIME: The approximate relative term, or length, of
the investment, defined as: Very Short = less than 10 years, Short = 20 years
or less, Medium = 20-40 years, Long = 40 - 60 years, and Very Long 60+ years.
COST: Relative estimated costs/acre of expenses
associated with the investment, defined as:
Low = less than $50.00, Medium = $50 - $150, High = $150.00 plus annual
costs for a few years, Very High = $150.00 plus annual expenses for several
years or perhaps throughout the term of the investment.
RETURN: Estimated relative annual returns on investments
as a function of actual costs for average Tennessee conditions including
growth and income defined as: Low = less than 6%, Medium = 6%-10%, High =
10%-15%, Very High 15%+.
RISK: Relative estimated investment risks for
average Tennessee conditions.
DNA: Does Not Apply.
APPENDIX II.
STAND PROSPECTUSES
Most
investors have at least seen a mutual fund prospectus. The purpose of a prospectus is to allow
investors to review detailed information about a particular mutual fund prior
to them actually putting any money into it.
A prospectus may or may not have been reviewed or passed by the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
However, they normally include very pertinent information including the
manager's investment strategy, limitations, annual costs, and historic returns
on investments over the short and long term.
As
previously discussed, if we think about stands of timber along much the same
lines as a mutual fund, then it would seem to be helpful for woodland owners to
have the opportunity to review a prospectus for each of their woodland
investment options. Timber investments
are clearly not regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Never the less, a prospectus for a timber
stand only serves to provide woodland owners a simple, logical analysis of
timber management alternatives.
The
following provides a prospectus for each Stand Type listed in Appendix III,
Comparative Portfolio Investment Alternatives.
Again, these apply to general conditions across Tennessee as a whole, and
may not be accurate for individual tracts.
Woodland owners should always discuss their opportunities and risks with
an experienced professional forester familiar with local conditions before they
initiate any timber management investments.