Forests of the Domain
Since active management of the Domain began in 1898, a total of six forest inventories have been completed (Table 1, Figure 1)). Because each inventory was conducted utilizing different techniques and methods, and the forested area of the Domain has not remained constant due to land purchases, sales, and urbanization; a great deal of caution is required when comparing forest volume estimates from one inventory period to another. On the other hand, general trends can be surmised about the forest and its condition by considering the forest volumes recorded and subsequent levels of harvesting that took place.
Table 1. Estimated standing timber on the Domain in millions of board feet, estimated timber value at time of inventory and in 2002, and timber harvested between forest inventories in millions of board feet (mmbf).
|
Year Inventory Completed |
Standing Timber, mmbf |
Estimated Timber Value $ thousands |
Est. Timber Value 2002 $ in thousands |
Harvest Period |
Timber Harvested, mmbf |
|
1903 |
13 |
27.5 |
500 |
1903-1938 |
7.25 |
|
1939 |
18 |
100 |
1,300 |
1939-1952 |
2.6 |
|
1953 |
30 |
300 |
2000 |
1953-1962 |
11 |
|
1963 |
17 |
300 |
1,700 |
1963-1980 |
2.7 |
|
1981 |
33 |
2,000 |
3,900 |
1981-2001 |
9* |
|
2002 |
44 |
6,500 |
6,500 |
2002- |
0 |
|
Total growth |
63.55** |
|
|
Total Harvest |
32.55** |
*This volume of timber harvested includes the Smith Tract which has not been included in any Domain inventories.
** Growth to drain ratio 2:1.
Figure
1. History of Domain Inventory and Harvesting
Income generated from timber harvesting (Table 2, Figure 2) has been an important objective of the University in all preceding forest management plans. Income from timber sales has been critical to developing and maintaining the infrastructure of the Domain including the fire lanes, lakes, and other recreational facilities. This income has also been important in partially funding construction projects and as a supplement to the general operating budget of the university. Table 2 below lists the timber revenues by decade as published in the 1953 and 1966 management plans. Data since 1966 has been gathered from files in the Office of Forest Management (OFM) on timber sales, and from monthly and annual budget reports. The last column in the table shows the calculated value of this income in 2002. This calculation was made using the Consumer Price Index calculator of the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis-St. Paul, for which data is first available in 1913.
Table 2. History of income generated from timber management and value in 2002 dollars.
|
Harvest Period |
Income Generated |
CPI Date |
Value in 2002 |
|
1900-1910 |
$19,648 |
1913 |
$355,847 |
|
1911-1920 |
$6,163 |
1920 |
$55,251 |
|
1921-1930 |
$496 |
1930 |
$5,325 |
|
1931-1940 |
$174 |
1940 |
$2,228 |
|
1941-1950 |
$16,000 |
1950 |
$119,037 |
|
1951-1952 |
$28,270 |
1952 |
$191,275 |
|
1953-1962 |
$120,900 |
1962 |
$717,794 |
|
1963-1972 |
$28,800 |
1972 |
$123,537 |
|
1973-1982 |
$96,461 |
1982 |
$179,228 |
|
1983-1992 |
$72,272 |
1992 |
$92,362 |
|
1993-2002 |
$297,015 |
2002 |
$297,015 |
|
Totals |
$686,199 |
|
$2,138,899 |
Figure
2. History of income generated from timber management and value in
2002 dollars.
Figure
3. The volume of timber on each of the University's compartments in board feet/acre.
(Click to enlarge)