Does Longleaf Pine Make Dollars and $ense?

-By Rhett Johnson

With interest in longleaf at it highest point in decades, maybe ever, landowners and managers are asking what kind of investment it actually is. The answer surprises some, but there is every reason to expect very positive returns on investments and in a reasonably short time span. Lumbermen have long realized the value of longleaf products like high-quality, straight grained dimensional lumber and strong durable poles. The market continues to recognize this quality by paying top prices for these products.
For years, however, longleaf was regarded as a poor investment for a couple of reasons. First, it was considered a difficult species to plant. If it was established successfully, a lengthy period in the grass stage before it initiated height growth extended the period before income could be earned, gaining longleaf a reputation for slow growth. The tree was also often relegated to "longleaf sites", usually deep dry sands where growth was indeed slow as it would have been for any species. Recent developments in nursery techniques, management practices, and markets have made that prognosis dated.

Source: http://www.auburn.edu/academic/forestry_wildlife/longleafalliance/

landowners/longleafeconomics/economics.htm