Southeast Alabama Agriculture Overview

Forestry
   Forest production is an important agricultural commodity in the district, generating some 65.5 million dollars in 1996. This ranked fourth in value in the district behind broilers, peanuts and cattle.

   The production of timber occurs more rapidly in the Southern U.S. than other areas of the country due to the temperate climate and longer growing season. Forest production is expected to continue to increase in the district bringing in needed agricultural sector cash income.

   The majority of the forestland is owned by private individuals, with the forest industry owning a significant portion. The Statistics section below shows forestland by county and ownership class.

   Forestland in the district totals 1.9 million acres, which represents 61.1% of the total land area for the district. The largest percentage of forested land lies in Barbour and Covington counties, at 72.4% and 71.3% respectively. The least amount of forestland lies in Houston County, which has a greater percentage of land under agricultural cultivation and urban areas.

   The amount of growing stock in the region is increasing and is evident by the increase in cash receipts from timber over the past 10 years. This is a good economic sign for the region. With respect to timberland area by county and land class, Barbour and Covington counties lead with 72% and 71% respectively. Houston County, the most urbanized county in the district by comparison, has only 34% of its total land area in forestland. With respect to area of timberland by county and forest type group, the table on the following page outlines the district counties.

   The most common forest type group in the district is oak-hickory covering over 606,000 acres, followed by oak-pine stands of nearly 400,000 acres. Natural and planted stands of loblolly pine cover over 479,000 acres throughout the district. Covington County with over 431,000 acres of timberland leads the district overall. Barbour County with over 130,000 acres of pine trees leads the district, as well as having the largest acreage of oak-pine (89,000) and oak-hickory (124,600) timberland.

   The district's volume of growing stock in 1990 (942.4 million cubic feet) represented 7.9% of Alabama's growing stock for all species of trees. The greatest volume in the district came from the leading timber producing counties, Barbour and Covington counties, with 27.5% and 22.7% respectively. The district contributed 7.7% (1,178.5 mcf) to Alabama's total sawtimber for all species. Barbour and Covington counties again lead in volume, with 32% and 20.6% of the district's total volume of sawtimber.

   In 1995, Barbour County led the district in production of three of the four types of forest products, hardwood sawtimber (47% of the district's total production), pine pulpwood (30%), and hardwood pulpwood (21%). Covington County led the district in production of the other type of forest product, pine sawtimber with 37% of the district's total production.

   Pine pulpwood was by far the largest revenue producer in 1996, contributing 53% of the total revenue for the district. Covington County generated the highest revenues, with 34% of district revenues. Barbour County finished second in total revenues, providing 22% for the district.

   Forestry is an important employer in the district. In Henry County, 23.5% of the payroll for all manufacturing was attributed to forestry in the third quarter of 1992. The market value of timber harvested was greatest in Barbour County ($9,285,000). Barbour County also realized the greatest economic impact with $111,605,700 (29.4% of total district economic impact). The economic impact for the district was 6.4% of the state total.