Fire in longleaf pine stand management: An economic analysis

A simulation analysis of the economics of using prescribed fire as a forest management tool in the management of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) plantations was conducted. A management regime using frequent prescribed fire was compared to management regimes involving fertilization and chemical release, chemical control, and mechanical control. Determining the cost-effectiveness of the management alternatives was accomplished by estimating the growth response needed to recover the costs associated with the silvicultural treatments and making comparisons among the alternatives. The results show prescribed fire would require the least growth response to pay for the expenses required to implement the alternatives. Fire retained its cost-effectiveness for a range of rotation lengths and sawtimber stumpage values.