Alabama, 2010Forest Inventory &

Analysis Factsheet

U.S. Department of Agriculture

e-Science Update SRS-042October 2011

Forest ServiceSouthern Research Station

Andrew J. Hartsell

1Issue—

October 2011

F I A

The Nation’s Forest Census

Table 1—Forest statistics, Alabama, 2006–10

Timberland estimates 2006–10Sampling

errorConfidence

intervalpercent

Timberland area (acres) 22,738,088 0.52 118,238Number of growing-stock

trees ≥5" d.b.h. 2,632,328,042 1.37 36,062,894Volume of growing-stock

trees ≥5" d.b.h. (ft 3/yr) 29,771,264,835 1.39 413,820,581Average net annual growth

of growing-stock trees ≥5" d.b.h. (ft 3/yr) 1,580,658,746 2.06 32,561,570

Average net annual removals of growing-stock trees ≥5"d.b.h. (ft 3/yr) 1,179,045,086 4.12 48,576,658

Average net annual mortality of growing-stock trees ≥5" d.b.h. (ft 3/yr) 337,915,670 5.20 17,571,615

d.b.h. = diameter at breast height.

IntroductionThis science update summarizes the key findings of the ninth forest survey of Alabama representing the period of 2006 to 2010. The survey was conducted by the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program at the Southern Research Station of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service in cooperation with the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC). Periodic surveys have been performed in the State by FIA since 1936. Annual inventories began in 2000 as a joint effort between FIA and AFC. The following results are based on data collected on 71 percent of the annual plots. The complete cycle of data will not be available until after 2012, as Alabama is currently on a 7-year inventory cycle. Therefore, 29 percent of the plots used to create 2010 estimates are from the prior (2001–05) annual survey. Caution should be used when comparing these results to previous reports and estimates that are based on complete inventories. For past FIA inventory reports on Alabama’s forests as well as information regarding the FIA program, methodologies, and procedures, please refer to the references at the end of this science update.

Trend AnalysisFIA was initially established to monitor the Nation’s timber supply and the amount of commercially available resources. These early surveys were not concerned with the forests, species, and tree sizes that were not considered commercially viable. Early FIA reported only on growing-stock trees on timberlands, i.e., commercially important tree species and sizes on forests that could sustain harvest operations. Current FIA reports analyze all of the forest resources. However, this science update will focus on long-term trend, and thus will use the traditional measures of growing stock and timberland. A more detailed publication focusing on all forests, species, and sizes will follow this science update and include all-live trees on all forest land analysis.

Statistical ReliabilityFIA inventories employ sampling methods designed to achieve reliable statistics at the State level. A measure of reliability of inventory statistics is provided by sampling errors. These sampling errors mean that the chances are two out of three that the true population value is within the limits indicated by a confidence interval. Sampling errors (in percent), associated confidence intervals for timberland area, growing-stock volume, and components of change are presented in table 1.

Loblolly pine, Randolph County, Alabama. (photo by David Stephens, Bugwood.org)

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Forest CharacteristicsCurrent timberlands account for 22.7 million acres in 2010 (fig. 1). While this is an all-time high for the State, total timberland area has remained fairly constant since 2000, and has not changed by > 5 percent since 1963. While total timberland area has not changed substantially, the area of planted stands within the State has. Planted stands were first recorded during the 1973 survey. Since then they have increased by > 300 percent and now account for almost 7 million acres statewide.

1.712.73

4.415.79

6.34 6.91

18.8820.76

21.7419.64

18.9517.54

16.8916.31

15.83

0

5

10

15

20

25

1936 1953 1963 1972 1982 1990 2000 2005 2010

Are

a (m

illio

n a

cres

)

Survey period

NaturalPlanted

Figure 1—Area of timberland by stand origin and survey period, Alabama.

Figure 2—Volume of growing stock on timberland by species group and survey period, Alabama.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

1953 1963 1972 1982 1990 2000 2005 2010

SoftwoodHardwood

Survey period

Vo

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et)

Volume of both hardwood and softwood species have steadily increased each survey (fig. 2). Softwood volume has increased 163 percent since 1953, while hardwood volume gained 146 percent over the same period. The total volume of all growing-stock trees rose 154 percent between 1953 and 2010. Softwood and hardwood growing stock have increased > 9 and 3 percent respectively since the 2005 survey.

Hardwood and softwood species are distributed differently across the State. Softwood concentrations are highest in the southwestern part of the State, and lowest in the northeast (fig. 3). Meanwhile, hardwoods are the opposite, being most prominent in the northeast, and lower in the southwest (fig. 4).

Softwood growing-stock volume1 dot = 1,000 cubic feet

Figure 3—Volume of softwood growing stock on timberland, Alabama, 2010.

Hardwood growing-stock volume1 dot = 1,000 cubic feet

Figure 4—Volume of hardwood growing stock on timberland, Alabama, 2010.

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Loblolly pine is the most prevalent species in the State. Alabama’s population of loblolly pine is > 1.3 billion trees (table 2). In fact, one out of every two growing-stock trees in Alabama is a loblolly pine. Sweetgum is the second most numerous species, followed by water oak, yellow-poplar, and white oak.

Average annual softwood growth has steadily increased since 1953, while average annual removals reached a plateau during the 1990–2000 inventory. Alabama softwoods are growing at a rate of 1,580.6 million cubic feet per year, while 860.4 million cubic feet are removed. The current growth-to-removals ratio of softwoods in Alabama is 1.8, meaning that for every 1.0 cubic foot harvested, 1.8 cubic feet are being grown (fig. 5). Average annual softwood mortality experienced a decline for the first time in over 50 years.

Loblolly pine 1,310.69Sweetgum 236.52Water oak 101.33Yellow-poplar 93.85White oak 73.11Slash pine 64.96Shortleaf pine 57.72Longleaf pine 56.68Virginia pine 47.72Blackgum 46.15Southern red oak 44.89Chestnut oak 41.31Pignut hickory 38.68

Mockernut hickory 37.26Red maple 34.84Post oak 29.42Laurel oak 26.95Swamp tupelo 26.23Green ash 19.37Eastern redcedar 17.04Black oak 15.25Black cherry 14.36Winged elm 13.99Water tupelo 12.88Northern red oak 12.16

d.b.h. = diameter at breast height.

Table 2—The 25 most common growing-stock trees species (≥ 5.0 inches d.b.h.) in Alabama, 2010

million trees

million trees

Species Number Species Number

Southwide ComparisonsAlabama has more timberland than any Southern State except Georgia (fig. 7). In total the Southern United States timberlands constitute 204.2 million acres, and Alabama accounts for > 11 percent of this estimate.

Average annual growth and removals of hardwood species in Alabama peaked in 2000 (fig. 6). Hardwood removals (318.6 million cubic feet per year) are as low as they have been in one-quarter of a century. Current hardwood growth estimates (485.7 million cubic feet per year) have changed little over the last decade. Conversely, hardwood mortality is at its highest recorded level.

0 5 10 15 20 25

Texas

Oklahoma

Virginia

Tennessee

South Carolina

North Carolina

Mississippi

Louisiana

Kentucky

Georgia

Florida

Arkansas

Alabama

Figure 7—Area of timberland by State, based on 2007 Resource Planning Act estimates and current inventory, Alabama, 2010.

Area (million acres)

226.9

343.8 373.4

565.9 596.2

495.6

485.7

214.8

202.3 227.0

370.0 406.8

336.8

318.6

102.0

56.2 86.191.9 122.0

135.2 152.7

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Figure 6—Average annual estimates of growth, removals, and mortality of hardwood growing stock by survey period, Alabama.

Vo

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2006–102001–051990-2000

1982–891962–711953–61 1972–81

Survey period

GrowthRemovalsMortality

629.2749.4

624.6657.8

884.1 945.8

1,580.6

309430.8

625.1 719.6890.2

763.5 860.4

30.751.1 120.6

106.2 154.3 200.1

185.2

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

2006–102001–051990–2000

1982–891962–711953–61 1972–81

Figure 5—Average annual estimates of growth, removals, and mortality of softwood growing stock by survey period, Alabama.

Survey period

Vo

lum

e (m

illio

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et )

GrowthRemovalsMortality

Brian HendricksAlabama Forestry CommissionP.O. Box 302550Montgomery, AL 36130-2550Phone: 334- 240-9370Email: HendricksB@forestry.state.al.us

Andrew J. Hartsell, Research ForesterForest Inventory and AnalysisSouthern Research Station, USDA Forest Service4700 Old Kingston PikeKnoxville, TN 37919Phone: 865-862-2032 / Fax: 865-862-0262Email: ahartsell@fs.fed.usSouthern FIA: http://srsfia2.fs.fed.usNational FIA: http://fia.fs.fed.us

Contact Information

The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is dedicated to the principle of multiple use management of the Nation’s forest resources for sustained yields of wood, water, forage, wildlife, and recreation. Through forestry research, cooperation with the States and private forest owners, and management of the National Forests and National Grasslands, it strives—as directed by Congress—to provide increasingly greater service to a growing Nation.

The USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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Grey squirrel. (photo by Andrew J. Hartsell)

How to Cite This PublicationHartsell, Andrew J. 2011. Alabama, 2010 forest inventory and

analysis factsheet. e-Science Update SRS–042. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 4 p.

The current estimate of growing-stock volume on southern timberlands is 289,995 million cubic feet (fig. 8). Alabama’s forests contain 10 percent of this total. Alabama is the third highest ranked State after North Carolina and Georgia.

ReferencesBechtold, W.A.; Patterson, P.L., eds. 2005. The enhanced

forest inventory and analysis program—national sampling design and estimation procedures. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–80. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 85 p.

Smith, W.B. 2002. Forest inventory and analysis: a national inventory and monitoring program. Environmental Pollution. 116: 233–242.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. 2005. Forest inventory and analysis national core field guide: field data collection procedures for phase 2 plots, Version 3.0. Vol. 1. Arlington, VA; U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Anlaysis Program. www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/field-guides-methods proc/.

Additional Alabama Inventory InformationHartsell, A.J.; Johnson, T.G. 2009. Alabama’s forests, 2000.

Resour. Bull. SRS–143. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 49 p.

Hartsell, A.J.; Johnson, T.G. 2009. Alabama’s forests, 2005. Resour. Bull. SRS–146. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 42 p.

South Carolina18,844

7%

Tennessee23,849

8%

Virginia26,879

9%

Alabama29,771

10%

Arkansas25,414

9%

Florida14,821

5%

Georgia33,065

11%

Kentucky18,217

6%Louisiana20,514

7%

Mississippi26,049

9%

North Carolina33,139

12%

Texas15,809

6%

Oklahoma3,624

1%

Figure 8—Growing-stock volume on timberland by State based on 2007 Resource Planning Act estimates and current inventory, 2010.

Total 289,995 million cubic feet