By Ray Newbold
Journal Correspondent

The American South, remains the "wood basket of the world," but is undergoing dramatic changes in forest land ownership and owner objectives, according to Dr. William Hubbard, Southern Regional Extension Forester, at University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.

Dr. Hubbard was the lead-off presenter at a forest landowner forum in West Monroe on January 19, co-sponsored by the LSU AgCenter and the Northeast Louisiana Ag Expo, held at the Ike Hamilton Arena adjacent to I-20. Theme of the meeting was "New Directions: Revitalizing Louisiana Forestlands."

Dr. Hubbard contrasted the difference in landowner attitudes now with those of previous generations. Traditionally, in the South, he sauid, forest landowners have possessed a utilitarian-minded land ethic aimed at owning forest land for timber production for financial return. That is evolving toward a conservation/preservation-minded land ethic. As land ownership passes from one generation to the next, tracts owned become smaller, and less importance is placed on the traditional forest products upon which industry has depended.

The average age of forest landowners is 60 years and increasing. Land distribution is repositioning into smaller woodlots, with accompanying reduction in potential financial returns for indivcidual owners.

Urban and suburban clearing for development and recreation is taking acreage out of production and introducing local forestry ordinances for those stands left intact.

Huge blocks of forest land have moved from industry ownership to TIMOs (Timber Investment Management Organizations) and REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts). Parcelization and fragmentation of the landscape is changing its ecology as large blocks are developed or subdivided. This conversion away from timber production per se is accompanied by a decline in research support which has been so important in understanding the science of forestry and improving forest productivity, according to Dr. Hubbard.

Many forest landowners do not know the value of their holdings and consequently miss opportunities to generate current and future revenue, according to Sam Crawford of the Crawford Forestry Group in Shreveport.\par }{\plain Crawford has found that clients are often as interested in environmental amenities such as neo-tropical birds on their property as they are on growing traditional forest products.

Dr. Michael Blazier with the LSU AgCenter in Homer, LA addressed coming opportunities in energy generation through biomass production for fuel, ethanol, and bio-diesel. Energy needs of the United States continue to rise while the long-range production of oil is in decline. Biomass based energy stocks generally require relatively low establishment costs, low fertilization requirements, low water requirements, and in the south, benefit from long growing seasons. During the growing season, biomass is also sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Dr. Eric Taylor, an extension forestry specialist from Tyler, Texas gave an overview of the carbon credit market and how it may add to the revenue a forest landowner can realize from growing timber crops. Three categories of qualification are recognized; afforestation is the establishment of forests where there have been none, reforestation where there has been no tree cover for at least ten years, and managed forests where management is improved for extended periods of time (decades).

n There are very specific rules for establishing the credits and a market for them is never guaranteed. The domestic market for carbon offsets is through the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). This market is tailored after the successful effort to reduce acid rain by capping sulfur dioxide emissions from electric utilities and trading credits with reductions at other sites. The carbon market is very fluid and is developing globally. A specialist should be consulted before entering into contractual agreements.

The use of small diameter and crooked trees re-constituted into larger poles and structural timbers was addressed by Dr. Cheng Piao with the LSU AgCenter in Calhoun, LA. That research facility is also investigating the recovery and recycling of treated waste wood.

Dr. Mike Strain, newly elected Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry for Louisiana, gave the closing address. Dr. Strain identified the Division leaders in his new administration and their responsibilities, identified efforts to assist producers in the agricultural sector to remain competitive through reduction of taxes on energy and equipment, and answered questions from the audience. The meeting was adjourned to tour the exhibits in the Ike Hamilton Expo Center.

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