Tree planting in Georgia : under the Conservation Reserve Program

TREE PLANTING

In Georgia
Under The Conservation Reserve Program

12 DEC.

1994

"tECEIVcL
DOCUMENTS UGA iipbp?"

TREE PLANTING
In Georgia
Under The Conservation Reserve Program
by John E. Gunter, Head, Extension Forest Resources
Kim D. Coder, Extension Forest Resources Walker Rivers, Georgia Forestry Commission

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP or CR) was enacted into law as part of the 1985 Farm Bill on December 23, 1985, to retire from production 40 to 45 million acres of highly erodible cropland nationally. At least one-eighth of the acreage (five million acres)
will be planted to trees. Thus, the Conservation Reserve has the potential for being the largest tree planting effort in the nation's history!
In Georgia, almost 1.3 million acres qualify for
the Conservation Reserve. Much of this land is better
suited for timber production than for other land uses. This bulletin is a guide for making decisions about
entering eligible land into the Conservation Reserve. First, the objectives of the program are described and then eligibility requirements are outlined. Financial
analyses of tree planting investments under the CRP
are included for comparision with other land use alternatives and for the estimation of an appropriate
bid.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Conservation Reserve Program are to:
A. Reduce soil erosion. B. Improve water quality by reducing soil
erosion.
C. Curb production of surplus commodities. D. Enhance fish and wildlife habitat. E. Reduce sedimentation in streams and along
road sides. F. Provide income support for farmers.
The CRP has the potential for reducing by 20
percent the annual erosion of cropland. The amount of
sediment reaching streams and other surface water

from reserve lands could be reduced by 40 percent annually. The amount of pesticides applied annually could be reduced by more than 15 percent. Also, wildlife habitat quality could improve and increase significantly, especially where retired lands are near wet-
lands.
These objectives of the CRP will be met by estab-
lishing and maintaining a permanent cover on eligible
cropland.
CROPLAND ELIGIBILITY

For cropland to be eligible, it must meet these two requirements:

IV 1. The land is in capability classes I

and it is

eroding at more than 3T (three times the

tolerance rate as calculated by the Universal

Soil Loss Equation) or it is in capability Class
VI, VII, or VIII. AND

2. The land must have been tilled or diverted
under Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) programs to produce
an agricultural commodity other than or-
chards, vineyards, or ornamental plantings in any two years from 1981 through 1985.
The land must be suitable for crop produc-

tion.

Soil loss tolerance is the average rate at which
natural processes can replace soil erosion losses. On
deep soils, the "tolerance" (T) rate of erosion is
generally four to five tons per acre per year. On shallower, more fragile soils, the T rate is much lower.
The eight land capability classes are described in the Appendix.
1

ELIGIBLE COVER PRACTICES
The permanent cover types that can be established on eligible cropland have been selected to minimize erosion. Each must be maintained for at least 10 years. Costs of establishing the cover are eligible for a 50 percent cost share payment, which in most cases is based on a flat rate for the particular practice. The eligible
cover practices are:

1) Trees.
2) Permanent Wildlife Habitat. 3) Permanent Introduced Grasses and Legumes. 4) Permanent Native Grasses and Legumes. 5) Field Windbreaks. (Not applicable to Georgia). 6) Combinations of the above.
In areas where cover establishment is prevented by site erosion problems, these structures can qualify
for cost sharing if a structure is required to establish the Conservation Reserve cover type and reduce excessive erosion: diversions, ditches, dikes, water outlets,
excavations, sediment structures, and grass waterways. Also, cost-sharing is authorized to assist wildlife pond construction by allowing earthmoving to construct dams, levees, dugouts, or dikes, if needed, to develop or restore shallow water areas. Permanent plantings in the floodable area can also be cost-shared.

ANNUAL RENTAL PAYMENT
In addition to receiving the 50 percent cost share for establishing the permanent cover, you will also receive an annual rental payment for 10 years for keeping the enrolled land in that cover. The amount of the annual payment will be determined through a competitive bidding process wherein all bids are placed in a pool and the lowest bids are accepted first.

OTHER PROVISIONS

In order for you to participate in the program

you must have owned the land a minimum of three

years prior to the signing of a Conservation Reserve

contract, or since January 1, 1985, whichever is later.
The land can not have been acquired for the purpose

of placing it in this program.
CRP lands will be devoted to soil conservation for

a 10-year period. Harvesting, grazing, or other commer-

NOT cial use of the land and its products are

allowed.

Wildlife leases are allowed. Maintenance measures, such

as weed control are required. Any activity on other

non-contract lands that will defeat the soil conserving

purpose of this program is expressly forbidden. The

cover type specified in the contract must be establish-

ed by the end of the next normal planting period. A
temporary cover to control erosion may be required
until the permanent cover is established.
The total amount of rental payments may not exceed $50,000 in any fiscal year. Payments may be made in cash or "in-kind" commodities. The minimum
acreage you can put into the program is 10 acres, or a
whole field of less than 10 acres. The maximum acre-
age which can be placed in the Conservation Reserve
may not exceed 25 percent of the cropland in any one
county.
It is not required that you own the land in order
to enter a contract. If the applicant has operated on the land for at least three years and can show that control of the land will be retained for the contract
A period, the applicant can enter into the contract.
participant who sells or loses control of the land in the CRP to a new owner who refuses to honor the CRP
contract, will have to refund the cost-share assistance and all annual rental payments plus interest.
All highly erodible lands will be subject to a "sodbuster" penalty if converted back to crops without an
approved conservation plan after the 10 year CRP con-
tract expires.
TREE AND WILDLIFE PLANTINGS
In cases where tree planting is a viable alternative, as on most of Georgia's soils, planting costs can be less for trees than for the other cover types. Trees can be planted with minimal site preparation and without the
use of expensive fertilizers. Planting trees may actually be the least expensive method of establishing a vegetative cover. Also, when the 10-year contract expires, the producer will own a valuable stand of income-produc-
ing timber.
If you examine the economic returns from traditional agricultural commodities versus timber production on many of Georgia's soils, you will find that trees often reflect a higher rate of return, under current market conditions. Trees in Georgia are a cash crop yielding relatively high returns. The Conservation Reserve will help participants establish and maintain a valuable commodity.
One suggestion for moving into the Conservation
Reserve is to produce a conservation plan through your local Soil Conservation District and Soil Conservation Service (SCS) personnel, and a forest plantation management plan with your Georgia Forestry Commission forester. Land suitable for plantation management should be devoted to tree culture; while stream edges, waterways, poorly drained areas, and flood prone areas should be incorporated into permanent wildlife habitat. The diversity of food and cover will tend to maximize wildlife use while the most economically efficient crop, trees, are producing a valuable product. Pine

forests surrounding shallow ponds, green-tree reservoirs, and tree/shrub corridors would be ideal for providing both economic and aesthetic benefits.
FINANCIAL RETURNS FROM TREE PLANTING

Every financial analysis requires making assumptions about the amount and timing of anticipated costs and returns. The assumptions used in this analysis are discussed below.

Pine Yields

Soils vary in their potential to produce wood.

This potential is measured by site index, which is

represented numerically by the total height of domi-

nant and codominant trees in a stand at a specific base

age. For natural stands, this base age is 50 years; for

plantations, it is 25 years. The site index for a particu-

lar Georgia soil can be found in Table A.1 of the

Appendix. Pine pulpwood yields for various site

indices are obtained by using published yield equa-

1
tions.

Yields at age 20 for various site indices are

listed in Table 1.

Table 1. 20-Year Pulpwood Yields by Site Index.

Site Index

Yield

(Base Age 25)

(Cords)

50

23.6

55

30.9

60

39.6

65

49.2

70

60.3

Production Costs
The cost of establishing pines (seedling cost plus planting) on open land was estimated at $44 per acre.
Likewise, the CRP 50 percent cost sharing payment
was set at $22 per acre, which is the likely 1986 flat rate for this practice in Georgia. The annual cost of managing the new stand was estimated to be $1.50 per acre per year. Management costs are expected to rise at
an annual inflation rate of four percent.

Pulpwood Prices
Pulpwood prices vary from $10 to $35 per cord in $5 increments. In calculating anticipated future prices for pulpwood, an annual inflation factor of five percent was used.
Annual Rental Payment
A range of annual rental payments ($10 to $60
per acre per year in $10 increments) is included to assist you in establishing a bid level.
Taxes
For income tax purposes, the following assumptions were made:
1. The taxpayer is in the 25 percent marginal tax bracket. This means that for each dollar of additional income he or she will pay 25 cents
in taxes. (Higher or lower marginal tax rates have little effect on the financial returns).
2. Establishment costs are capitalized and recovered through the depletion allowance
when timber is sold.
3. The cost share payment and the annual rental payments are taxed as ordinary income.
4. Timber sale revenue is afforded long term
capital gains treatment.
Exclusion of Fixed Costs
Costs of land ownership and ad valorem property taxes are not included in the analysis since they will be incurred regardless of land use. These "fixed" costs are irrelevant to the decision of whether to plant trees under the Conservation Reserve Program and what the bid level should be on the annual rental payment.
Estimation of Cash Flows
The anticipated annual cash flows from a 20 year rotation on site index 60 (base age 25) land where current pulpwood prices are $25 per cord and the
landowner receives a CRP payment of $20 per acre are
listed in Table 2.

Yield equations from (1) Volume Tables for Old-Field Loblolly Pine Plantations in the Georgia Piedmont, Bailey and Clutter, Georgia Forest Research Council Report No. 22 - Series 2, August 1970. (2) Cubic-foot Yield Tables for Old-Field Pine Plantations in the Georgia Piedmont, Lenhart and Clutter, Georgia Forest Research Council Report No. 22 - Series 3, March 1971.

Table 2. Sample Cash Flow from a Loblolly Pine Investment Under the Conservation Reserve Program, Dollars
Per Acre.
-Site index: 60 (base 25 years) -Yield (20 yrs.): 39.6 cords pulpwood per acre
-- Stumpage Price: $25 per cord -- CRP annual payment : $20 per acre

YEAR

ITEM

1

Planting

1

Management Cost

1

Cost Share Payment

1

CRP Payment

2

Management Cost

2 CRP Payment

3 Management Cost

3 CRP Payment

4

Management Cost

4 CRP Payment

5

Management Cost

5 CRP Payment

6

Management Cost

6 CRP Payment

7

Management Cost

7 CRP Payment

8

Management Cost

8 CRP Payment

9

Management Cost

9 CRP Payment

10

Management Cost

10 CRP Payment

11

Management Cost

12

Management Cost

13

Management Cost

14

Management Cost

15

Management Cost

16

Management Cost

17

Management Cost

18

Management Cost

19

Management Cost

20

Management Cost

20

Final Harvest

BEFORE-TAX INCOME CASH FLOW TAX EFFECT

$- 44.00 - 1.50
22.00
20.00
- 1.56
20.00
- 1.62
20.00
- 1.69
20.00
- 1.75
20.09
- 1.82
20.00
- 1.90
20.00
- 1.97
20.00
- 2.05
20.00
- 2.13
20.00
- 2.22 - 2.31 - 2.40 - 2.50 - 2.60 - 2.70 - 2.81 - 2.92 - 3.04 - 3.16
$ 2501.68

$- .00
.37
- 5.50 - 5.00
.39
- 5.00
.41
- 5.00
.42
- 5.00
.44
- 5.00
.46
- 5.00
.47
- 5.00
.49
- 5.00
.51
- 5.00
.53
- 5.00
.56 .58
.60 .62
.65
.68
.70
.73
.76 .79
$-245.77

AFTER-TAX CUMULATIVE TOTAL

CASH FLOW

CASH FLOW

$- 44.00
1.13 16.50 15.00
1.17 15.00
- 1.21
15.00 1.27
15.00 1.31
15.00 1.36
15.00 1.43
15.00 1.48
15.00 1.54
15.00 1.60
15.00
- 1.67 - 1.73
1.80
- 1.87 - 1.95 - 2.03
2.11
- 2.19 - 2.28 - 2.37
$ 2255.91

$- 44.00 - 45.13 - 28.63 - 13.63 - 14.80
.20 1.01 13.99 12.72
27.72 26.41 41.41 40.05 55.05 53.62 68.62 67.14 82.14 80.60 95.60 94.00 109.00 197.33 105.60 103.80 101.93 99.98 97.95 95.84 93.65 91.37 89.00 $ 2344.91

Annual Equivalent Retui n
8% After-Tax Discount Rate = $61.21

Using Tables 3-7
You will need to determine three things prior to
using the following tables:

(1) the site index of your soil; (2) a suitable aftertax discount rate; (3) the average stumpage price for pulpwood in your area.

The site index of your land can be easily determined by finding your soil series in a county soil survey book available at the local SCS office. If you have a current conservation plan for your land, you can also
refer to that plan for soil series information. After de-
termining the soil series, look up the site index for that soil series in the appendix of this bulletin.
The choice of a suitable after-tax discount rate is more difficult. Any after-tax discount rate can either be viewed as (a) the compound rate of interest (aftertax) your money could earn in some other investment
besides tree planting or (b) the interest rate (after-tax)
you must pay to borrow money for tree planting. For
example, if the producer feels that an alternative investment (such as a certificate of deposit) could earn a rate of return of 8 percent, before-tax, then 6 percent would be the appropriate discount rate, after-taxes, for
a taxpayer in the 25 percent tax bracket. The formula for calculating after-tax interest rates from before-tax
rates is:
iat = ibt (1-t) where, t= marginal tax rate (as a decimal)
iat = interest rate, after-tax
ibt=interest rate, before-tax
Substituting, iat =8% (1.25)
=8%x .75=6%
Average pulpwood prices for your area can be obtained from your local county Extension agent or from the Georgia Forestry Commission. County agents receive a monthly "Timber Market Report" that provides stumpage price information for several forest products including pulpwood. While this information has some limitations, it is quite satisfactory for the purpose of planning a tree planting investment.
The steps in using the tables are as follows:
1. Determine your soil series from a county soil
survey or SCS conservation plan. 2. Look up the site index for that series in Table
A.1 of the Appendix.
3. Go to the table corresponding to that site in-
dex. (Table 3 for Site Index 50; Table 4 for Site Index 55; Table 5 for Site Index 60; Table 6 for Site Index 65; or Table 7 for Site Index 70). 4. Choose the appropriate discount rate, after-tax,
and move down to that section of the table.
5. In the appropriate discount rate section of the
table, find the pulpwood price for your area ($10-35), then look across the columns to com-

pare annual equivalent returns without CRP
and at various annual rental payments under the CRP.

Here is an example:
-- Suppose your land is classified as the Cecil soil
series, a relatively poor soil.
-- A look at the Appendix indicates that the Cecil
soil series has a site index of 54. Round this value
to the nearest five feet.
-- Turn to the table for Site Index 55 (Table 4). -- Choose eight percent as the appropriate after-tax
discount rate. Do this because you can earn
10.67 percent, before-tax, on a certificate of deposit and are in the 25 percent marginal tax
bracket (8% = 10.67% (1.25)). Go to the eight
percent section of Table 4.
-- Locate $20 per cord as the appropriate price for
pulpwood in your area.
-- Note that under these conditions, a tree planting
investment will generate annual equivalent returns of $27.76 per acre without the Conservation Re-
serve Program. Under the CRP and with an annual
rental payment of $10 per acre per year for ten
years, the annual equivalent return is increased to
$35.15 for the 20-year pulpwood rotation. Increasing the annual rental payment to $60 in-
creases the annual equivalent return to $63.43.
The annual equivalent return can be interpreted
as an annuity that spreads the net cash flow (after-taxes and including interest) uniformly over the 20-year loblolly pine rotation.

Annual equivalent returns from tree planting can

be compared directly with the annual returns from row

crops or land rental. In making the comparison with

row crops, be sure to account for participation in any

commodity programs and be sure you are comparing

A after-tax returns.

land rental comparison is more

direct.

If site index 55 land can be rented as cropland
outside the CRP for $30 per acre per year, before-tax,
it will return $22.50 per acre after-tax to a landowner in the 25 percent tax bracket. At eight percent interest, $20 per cord, and an annual rental payment of $30 under the CRP, the same land will yield an annual

equivalent return of $46.46, after-tax.
What should your bid be on the annual rental payment under the CRP? That answer is entirely up to

you. Hopefully, these tables will be of use in reaching
that decision. Remember, however, that final returns will depend on the yields, costs and prices actually received. The only near certainty is the annual rental
payment received under a CRP contract. That, of
course, is what you are bidding on.

Table 3. Annual Equivalent Returns for Loblolly Pine on Site Index 50 Land, Dollars per acre

After-Tax Discount Rate

Pulpwood
Price
Per Cord

Returns Without
CRP

$10

$10

10.39

17.12

$15

18.34

25.06

$20

26.29

33.01

6%

$25

34.24

40.96

$30

42.19

48.91

$35

50.14

56.86

Returns with CRP

Annual Rental Payment

$20

$30

$40

$50

$60

22.36 30.31 38.26 46.21 54.16 62.10

27.60 35.55 43.50 51.45 59.40 67.35

32.85 40.80 48.75 56.69 64.64 72.59

38.09 46.04 53.99 61.94 69.89 77.84

43.33 51.28 59.23 67.18 75.13 83.08

$10

6.80

14.18

19.84

25.50

31.15

36.81

42.47

$15

13.27

20.65

26.31 31.97 37.63 43.29 48.95

$20

19.75

27.13

32.79 38.44 44.10 49.76 55.42

8%

$25

26.22

33.60

39.26 44.92 50.58 56.24 61.90

$30

32.70

40.08

45.74 51.39 57.05 62.71 68.37

$35

39.17

46.55

52.21 57.87 63.53 69.19 74.85

10%

$10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35

3.65 8.90 14.15 19.39 24.64 29.88

11.69 16.93 22.18 27.42 32.67 37.92

17.75 22.99 28.24 33.48 38.73 43.98

23.81 29.05 34.30 39.54 44.79 50.04

29.87 35.11 40.36 45.60 50.85 56.10

35.93 41.17 46.42 51.66 56.91 62.16

41.99 47.23 52.48 57.72 62.97 68.22

Table 4. Annual Equivalent Returns for Loblolly Pine on Site Index 55 Land, Dollars Per Acre.

After-Tax Discount Rate

Pulpwood
Price
Per Cord

Returns Without
CRP

$10

$10

15.31

22.03

$15

25.72

32.44

$20

36.13

42.85

6%

$25

46.53

53.26

$30

56.94

63.66

$35

67.35

74.07

Returns with CRP

Annual Rental Payment

$20

$30

$40

$50

$60

27.28 37.68 48.09 58.50 68.91 79.32

32.52 42.93 53.34 63.24 74.15 84.56

37.76 48.17 58.58 68.99 79.40 89.80

43.01 53.42 63.82 74.23 84.64 95.05

48.25 58.66 69.07 79.48 89.88 100.29

8% 10%

$10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35

10.80 19.28 27.76 36.24 44.72 53.19

18.18 26.66 35.14 43.61 52.09 60.57

23.84 32.32 40.80 49.27 57.75 66.23

29.50 37.98 46.46 54.93 63.41 71.89

35.16 43.64 52.12 60.59 69.07 77.55

40.82 49.30 57.78 66.25 74.73 83.21

46.48 54.96 63.43 71.91 80.39 88.87

$10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35

6.90 13.77 20.64 27.50 34.37 41.24

14.93 21.80 28.67 35.54 42.41 49.27

20.99 27.86 34.73 41.60 48.47 55.33

27.05 33.92 40.79 47.66 54.53 61.39

33.11 39.98 46.85 53.72 60.59 67.45

39.17 46.04 52.91 59.78 66.65 73.51

45.23 52.10 58.97 65.84 72.31 79.57

Table 5. Annual Equivalent Returns for Loblolly Pine on Site Index 60 Land, Dollars Per Acre.

After-Tax Discount Rate

Pulpwood
Price
Per Cord

Returns Without
CRP

$10

$10

21.17

27.89

$15

34.51

41.23

$20

47.85

54.57

6%

$25

61.19

67.91

$30

74.52

81.25

$35

87.86

94.59

Returns with CRP

Annual Renta Payment

$20

$30

$40

$50

$60

33.14 46.48 59.81 73.15 86.49 99.83

38.38 51.72 65.06 78.40 91.73 105.07

43.63 56.96 70.30 83.64 96.98 110.32

48.87 62.21 75.55 88.88 102.22 115.56

54.11 67.45 80.79 94.13 107.47 120.81

$10

15.58

22.96

28.62

34.27 39.93 45.59 51.25

$15

26.44

33.82

39.48

45.14 50.80 56.46 61.12

$20

37.31

44.68

50.34

56.00 61.66 67.32 72.98

8%

$25

48.17

55.55

61.21

66.87 72.53 78.19 83.85

$30

59.04

66.41

72.07

77.73 83.39 89.05 94.71

$35

69.90

77.28

82.94

88.60 94.26 99.92 105.58

10%

$10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35

10.77 19.57 28.37 37.17 45.98 54.78

18.80 27.60 36.40 45.21 54.01 62.81

24.86 33.60 42.46 51.27 60.07 68.87

30.92 39.72 48.52 57.33 66.13 74.93

36.98 45.78 54.58 63.39 72.19 80.99

43.04 51.84 60.64 69.45 78.25 87.05

49.10 57.90 66.70 75.51 84.31 93.11

Table 6. Annual Equivalent Returns for Loblolly Pine on Site Index 65 Land, Dollars Per Acre.

After-Tax Discount Rate

Pulpwood
Price
Per Cord

Returns Without
CRP

$10

Returns With CRP

Annual Rental Payment

$20

$30

$40

$50

$60

$10

27.64

34.36

39.60 44.85 50.09 55.34 60.58

$15

44.21

50.93

56.18 61.42 66.66 71.91 77.15

$20

60.78

67.50

72.75 77.99 83.24 88.48 93.72

6%

$25

77.35

84.08

89.32 94.56 99.81 105.05 110.30

$30

93.93 100.65 105.87 111.14 116.38 121.62 126.87

$35

110.50 117.22 122.46 127.71 132.95 138.20 143.44

$10

20.85

28.22

33.88 39.54 45.20 50.86 56.52

$15

34.34

41.72

47.38 53.04 58.70 64.36 70.02

$20

47.84

55.22

60.88 66.54 72.20 77.86 83.52

8%

$25

61.34

68.72

74.38 80.04 85.70 91.36 97.02

$30

74.84

82.22

87.88 93.54 99.20 104.86 110.52

$35

88.34

95.72 101.38 107.04 112.69 118.35 124.01

10%

$10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35

15.03 25.97 36.91 47.84 58.78 69.71

23.07 34.00 44.94 55.88 66.81 77.75

29.13 40.06 51.00 61.94 72.87 83.81

35.19 46.12 57.06 68.00 78.93 89.87

41.25 52.18 63.12 74.06 84.99 95.93

47.31 58.24 69.18 80.12 91.05 101.99

53.37 64.30 75.24 86.18 97.11 108.05

Table 7. Annual Equivalent Returns for Loblolly Pine on Site Index 70 Land, Dollars Per Acre.

After-Tax Discount Rate

Pulpwood
Price
Per Cord

Returns Without
CRP

$10

Returns with CRP

Annual Rental Payment

$20

$30

$40

$50

$60

$10

35.12

41.84

47.08

52.33

57.57

62.81

68.06

$15

55.43

62.15

67.39 72.64 77.88 83.12 88.37

$20

75.74

82.46

87.80 92.95 98.19 103.44 108.68

6%

$25

96.05

102.77

108.01 113.26 118.50 123.75 128.99

$30

116.36 123.08 128.32 133.57 138.81 144.06 149.30

$35

136.67

143.39

148.64 153.88 159.12 164.37 169.61

$10

26.94

34.31

39.97 45.63 51.29 56.95 62.61

$15

43.48

50.86

56.52 62.18 67.84 73.50 79.16

$20

60.02

67.40

73.06 78.72 84.38 90.04 95.70

8%

$25

76.57

83.95

89.61

95.27 100.92 106.58 112.24

$30

93.11

100.49

106.15 111.81 117.47 123.13 128.79

$35

109.66 117.03 122.69 128.35 134.01 139.67 145.33

10%

$10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35

19.97 33.37 46.78 60.18 73.58 86.98

28.00 41.41 54.81 68.21 81.61 95.02

34.06 47.47 60.87 74.27 87.67 101.08

40.12 53.53 66.93 80.33 93.73 107.14

46.18 59.59 72.99 86.39 99.79 113.20

52.24 65.65 79.05 92.45 105.85 119.26

58.30 71.71 85.11 98.51 111.91 125.32

10

APPENDIX
The Land Capability Classification System 2
Land capability is an expression of the suitability of a soil for crop production. Under this system, soils are classified according to their limitations, risk of erosion, and response to management. The eight capability
classes are designated by Roman numerals I through VIII, with the higher numerals indicating progressively greater
limitations and fewer management choices. Description of Land Capability Classes:
Class I Soils have few limitations that restrict their use. Class II Soils have moderate limitations that reduce the choice of plants or that require moderate conser-
vation practices. Class III Soils have severe limitations that reduce the choice of plants and require special conservation prac-
tices.
Class IV Soils have very severe limitations that reduce the choice of plants and require very careful management.
V Class Soils are not likely to erode but have other limitations, impractical to remove, that limit their use largely to pasture, woodland, or wildlife (soils in this class will not qualify for the CRP program in Georgia.)
Class VI Soils have severe limitations that make them generally unsuitable for cultivation and limit their use
largely to pasture, woodland, or wildlife.
Class VII Soils have severe limitations that make them unsuitable for cultivation and restrict their use to
pasture, woodland, or wildlife. Class VIII Soils and land forms have limitations that preclude their use for commercial crop production and
restrict their use to recreation, wildlife, or water supply, or to esthetic purposes. (Uncommon in Georgia.)
2
Source: Adapted freely from "Georgia's Land: Its Use and Condition," State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, 1984, 16 pp.
11

Table A.1 Site Index (25 year basis) of Selected Soil Series in Georgia.

Soil Series
Ailey Alapaha
Albany
Albertville Altavista
Americus Angie Apison Appling Aragon
Ardilla
Arkaqua Augusta Beason Bibb
Bladen Blaney Blanton Bonifay Boswell
Braddock Brad son Brookman
Buncombe Cahaba
Cainhoy Capshaw Carnegie Cartecay
Cecil
Cedarbluff Centenary Chatuge Chestatee Chewacla
Chipley Clarendon Colbert Colfax Conasauga

Site
Index

Soil Series

57 Congaree
65 Co warts
71 Cowarts, Gravelly 60 Coxville 68 Craven
63 Davidson 65 Decatur
60 Dewey
61 Dillard
60 Dogue

68 Dothan 67 Dowellton 67 Dunbar 60 Duplin 67 Dyke

71 Dyke, Stony 57 Echaw
60 Egam
60 Ellabelle 60 Emory

64 Ennis 60 Enon 72 Enon, Stony 68 Esto 65 Etowah
57 Euharlee 60 Eulonia 65 Enuola
71 Eustis
54 Evard

68 Faceville 64 Fannin 75 Farragut 53 Foxworth 64 Fripp

68 Fullerton 68 Fuquay 49 Georgeville 60 Gilead 54 Goldsboro

Site
Index

Soil Series

68 Goldston 65 Grady, Drained 60 Greenville
68 G rover
60 Guthrie

61

Hartsells

60 Hayesville

60 Hayesville, Stony

68 Hazlehurst

68 Helena

67 Henderson 60 Herndon 68 Herod 68 Hiawassee 68 Holston

68

Hornsville

64 Hulett

68

Iredell

68

Irvington

68 luka

68

Izagora

53 Jefferson

54 Johns

60 Kalmia

68 Kanapha

60 Kershaw 68 Kinston 68 Kolomoki 60 Lakeland 60 Leadvale

62 Leaf 64 Leefield 60 Linker 49 Lockhart 53 Locust

56 Louisa 62 Louisburg, Stony 61 Louisburg 62 Lowndes 68 Lucy

Site
Index
55 68 64 56 60
53 68 68 68 60
60 60 75 56 64
68 56 53 68 75
68 60 65 66 60
41 60 71 56 60
68 63 49 59 60
54 58 58 60 60

12

Soil Series
Lumbee
Lyerly Lynchburg Madison Marlboro
Masada Mascotte Maxton Mecklenburg Meggett
Minvale Molena Montevallo
Mountview Muckalee
Musella, Gravelly
Musella, Stony Myatt Nankin Nason
Nolichucky Norfolk Ochlockonee
Ocilla
Ogeechee
Oktibbeha Olustee Orange Orangeburg
Osier
Ousley Pacolet Pelham Pelion
Persanti
Plummer
Pooler Portsmouth
Rabun Rabun, Stony

Site
Index

Soil Series

71 Rains
50 Ramsey 65 Red Bay 60 Rembert 62 Riceboro
62 Riverview 60 Roanoke 68 Robertsdale
56 Rome
75 Rutlege
60 Saluda 60 Sapelo 50 Sawyer 60 Sequatchie 68 Sequoia
57 Shack 54 Shelocta 66 Shouns 60 Shouns, Stony 60 Shubuta
60 Starr 65 Staser 75 State 64 Steekee 68 Stilson
62 Subligna 60 Suches 56 Sunsweet 60 Surrency 65 Susquehanna
60 Sweetapple 60 Taft 68 Talbott 60 Tallapoosa 68 Tallapoosa, Gravelly
69 Tate 65 Tatum 72 Tellico 68 Tidings 68 T ifton

Site
Index

Soil Series

71 Toccoa 55 Townley 68 Toxaway 68 Transylvania 71 Troup
75 Tupelo 65 Valdosta 68 Vance 64 Varina 68 Varina, Gravelly
53 Wagram 58 Wahee 68 Wax 68 Waynesboro 58 Wedowee
60 Wedhadkee 56 Wickham 60 Wicksburg 60 Wilkes 60 Wolftever
76 68 71 53 62
64 68 64 71 59
53 64 56 53 53
68 59 56 60 65

Site
Index
68 53 64 64 60
60
61 57 57
57
62 65 60 64 55
76 68 60 56 60

13

3 ElOfl DMMMT 3537

This publication was produced through the joint efforts of the Georgia Forestry Commission and the Cooperative
Extension Service.

COUNTY eXTENSION
TK umKIMIT* Ot Of 0"Gi COLLlGt Of AORICULTURC

GEORGIA
FORESTRY

The Cooperative Extension Service, The University of Georgia College of Agriculture and the Georgia Forestry Commission offer educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color,
national origin, age, sex, or handicap status.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

MP-225

February, 1986

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia
College of Agriculture and the U. S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

Tal C. DuVall, Director, Cooperative Extension Service
John W. Mixon, Director, Georgia Forestry Commission