NC State Extension Publications

Most landowners have a sense of their timber’s worth once it reaches sale age. Yet for many, calculating a replacement value for a forest stand before it reaches its commercial stage is a mystery. In this publication, we review the process for valuing young stands that may have been lost due to natural causes, such as drought, storms, or wildfire, or through human-caused activities, such as theft or condemnation. This publication explains the preferred method for placing a value on young forests not suited to common timber appraisal methods.

Many aspects of forest management and economics are complex. Valuation requires the right method and formulae to estimate the best return potential of an investment or property. If you have incurred a loss at the hands of others or due to natural calamities, you may be entitled to some compensation or a potential tax deductible loss. Calculating the dollar value of your loss caused by natural disasters, theft, or condemnation can be difficult with young timber stands. Since immature forests do not have any value in the present, we must project or calculate the future potential value of the standing timber.

Let’s begin with the concept of the time value of money, a fundamental key in any valuation and investment analysis. Two time scales are considered in an investment analysis—the present and the future. The future value of an investment is determined by the time period (n) and the discount (interest) rate (i). Here is the basic formula for calculating the future value (or transforming the present value into future receipts):

Formula 1
Future value = Present value × (1 + i)n

In Formula 1 above, i is the interest rate that captures the opportunity cost of investment, and n is the time period. For example, let’s assume a present day reforestation cost of $350 per acre and revenue from thinning at age 17 that generates$600 per acre. To make these two values comparable, using Formula 1, we account for the time value of money by determining the future value at a certain interest rate of the establishment costs in year 17, known as “compounding.” We also could determine the present day dollar equivalence at a certain discount rate of the future revenue from thinning, known as “discounting.”

The compounded value of the current reforestation cost to age 17 is:

Future value = $350 × (1 + 0.05)17 Future value =$350 × (1.05)17
Future value = $350 × (2.292) Future value =$802 per acre

The discounted value of the thinning revenue to year 0 is:

Present value = $600 ÷ [(1 + 0.05)17] Present value =$600 ÷ 2.292
Present value = $261.8 per acre The future value of$350 compounded to year 17 at a 5 percent interest rate is $802. In this example, even if the$600 thinning revenue at age 17 seems larger than the initial reforestation cost of $350, it does not in fact cover the initial cost if we account for the time value of money. ## Calculating Values for Young Tree Stands Skip to Calculating Values for Young Tree Stands The valuation of an immature stand of trees (standing trees with no market value) involves estimating the future potential of the trees. The sales comparison approach is common in property valuation—the subject property is compared with similar recently sold local properties. This method is less applicable in immature timber valuation because sales information might not be readily available for nearby properties with comparable site and stand characteristics. Two traditional methods of estimating the value of premerchantable timber include compounded costs and discounted revenues approaches (Bullard and Monaghan 1999). The compounded costs, also called seller’s value, method estimates the value of the stand by accounting for all of the incurred timber production costs compounded to the stand’s current age. On the other hand, the discounted revenues approach, often termed buyer’s value, estimates the value of the stand by discounting the stand’s projected future revenues to the stand’s current age. The interest rate used in compounding and discounting plays a pivotal role in both methods. Both methods are reportedly less accurate in immature stand valuation, as they overlook the complete costs and revenue profiles of the investment period and often ignore the opportunity cost of the land. Young stands of trees have no value as commercial forest products, so we must project stand growth to final harvest and work backwards from a future harvest dollar amount. The most rigorous approach considers the complete costs and revenue profiles during the investment period, as well as the opportunity cost of the investment. This approach is based on the Land Expectation Value (LEV) criterion. Here is the formula for estimating the monetary value of an immature timber stand (Bullard and Straka 2011): Formula 2 Vm = {(NVn + LEV) ÷ [(1+ i)(n-m)]} LEV where Vm = value of the m-aged timber stand m = age of the immature stand n = rotation legth used in calculating LEV i = interest rate LEV = land expectation value NVn = net value of the income and costs associated with the immature stand between year m and rotation n This method begins with the calculation of LEV of the forest land. LEV (often called Soil Expectation Value or Bare Land Value) is the most common and accurate valuation approach used in timberland investment analysis. LEV is a special form of Net Present Value (NPV) that represents the monetary value of a land’s capacity for growing timber by capturing the present value of all the costs and revenues associated with growing timber from an infinite series of rotations. LEV represents the maximum value that can be paid for the land for forestry uses (land rent). The formula to calculate LEV is: Formula 3 LEV = [Net value (revenues – costs) at the rotation age] ÷ [(1+ i)n – 1] Once the LEV is estimated, the second step involves calculating the net value (NVn). All of the potential future revenues and costs incurred after the current age of the stand (m) are compounded to the rotation age n to estimate NVn. The combined value of LEV and NVn are discounted back to the current age of the stand, and LEV is subtracted to obtain the value of immature timber only (Vm). To value an immature stand, you need four basic pieces of information: 1. Costs of establishment are the collective costs of site preparation, planting, and controlling weeds, which could range widely. 2. Annual management costs are the estimated costs of maintaining and protecting a healthy forest, such as annual property taxes and management fees. 3. Future revenue streams from thinning(s) and final harvest are estimates derived from a growth and yield model of similar stands at a specified thinning year and rotation age. Site productivity is an important factor that sets the biological limits of growth and the speed at which the forest can grow to financial maturity. You will need timber prices by product classes to obtain the values in dollars. 4. Interest rate, often termed the “discount rate,” plays a vital role in the discounting and compounding of the costs and revenues. It captures the opportunity cost of the investment, which implies that a benefit could have been received but was given up to obtain another course of action. For example, it represents the return from other investments such as investing in stocks or bonds over an investment in forestry. Example. A landowner needs to estimate the value of the timber (and land) at age 10 for compensation of damages or losses from a natural disaster. What is the monetary value of this 10-year-old, immature (precommercial) stand? Below we estimate the value per acre of immature trees on a medium productive site (Site Index 70 at base age 25) in eastern North Carolina. The cost and revenue profile considered in the example is depicted in Figure 1. Assumptions for this example: • Establishment costs of$200 at year 0 include site preparation and plantation of 681 (8 × 8) seedlings per acre.
• Annual costs, including property taxes and management costs, are $2 per acre. • Thinning at age 17 will generate$600 per acre, and the final harvest at the rotation age of 30 will yield $1,900 per acre. We obtained these numbers from the PTAEDA 4.0 growth and yield model with current timber prices. These values can also be obtained from nearby comparable sales. • The interest rate is 5 percent. We used a real interest rate, which is nominal minus inflation. 1. Calculate the LEV first.  Year Item Amount/acre Future value at the rotation age (30) Compounding formula 0 Establishment costs -$200 -$864.39 -200 × (1 + 0.05)30 17 Thinning$600 $1,131.39 600 × (1 + 0.05)(30-17) 30 Final harvest$1,900 $1,900.00 1900 × (1 + 0.05)(30-30) Annual costs (1-30) -$2 -$132.88 -2 x {[(1 + 0.05)30] – 1} ÷ 0.05 Net future value at age 30$2,034.12 Land Expectation Value (LEV) $612.33 Using Formula 3 2. Next, calculate the rotation age value (NV30).  Year Item Amount/acre Future value at the rotation age Compounding formula 17 Thinning$600.00 $1,131.39 600 × (1 + 0.05)(30-17) 30 Final harvest$1,900.00 $1,900.00 1900 × (1 + 0.05)(30-30) Annual costs (10-30) -$2.00 -$66.13 2 × {[(1 + 0.05)(30-10)] – 1} ÷ 0.05 Net value at the rotation age (NV30)$2,965.26

3. The next step is to plus the estimated values of LEV and NV30 into Formula 2 to obtain the value of the timber only in a 10-year-old stand of trees (V10).

 Value of a 10-year stand (timber only) $736.03 [NVn + LEV ÷ (1 + i)(t-m)] – LEV Value of land and timber combined at age 10$1,348.35 Timber value + LEV

V10 = [(NVn + LEV) ÷ (1 + i)(n-m)] – LEV
V10
= [($2965.26 +$612.33) ÷ (1 + 0.05)(30-10)] – $612.33 V10 = [$3577.59 ÷ (1.05)20] – $612.33 V10 =$3577.59 ÷ 2.6533 – $612.33 V10 =$1348.35 – $612.33 V10 =$736.03/acre

Based on the stated assumptions about costs, revenues, and the interest rate, the monetary value of the 10-year-old trees only is estimated to be $736.03 per acre. The value of the timberland, including the bare land value and timber, is$1,348.35 per acre. These values are based on a set of professional assumptions highlighted above, but could be substantially different for other particular cases. Several factors, including the initial establishment costs, the age of the stand, the interest rate, the productive capacity of the land, and the rotation age can alter the estimated value significantly. Similarly, different growth and yield models could project different timber growth, which could substantially alter thinning and final harvest values.

Figure 2 depicts variations in the estimated value of the same 10-year-old stand with varying establishment costs and productivity levels. The chart shows various values of the stand when the establishment costs are varied between $50 and$350 per acre for three low, medium, and high levels of soil productivity. Higher initial investment in establishment costs in highly productive land yields the highest value of the land. For example, under the scenario of $300 establishment costs and a Site Index of 85, the value of the stand increases to$962 per acre. For an accurate estimate of the monetary value of your trees, consider contacting a consulting forester or a state service forester to help you make these calculations. If you are a self-starter and handy with assumptions and yields, you may choose to use one of several forest investment calculators available throughout the southern pine region. Some of those are listed in the Seek Professional Help section of this publication.

Figure 1. Costs and revenues per acre considered in the example.

Figure 2. The value (dollars per acre) of a10-year-old timber stand under various productivity levels and establishment costs. A 5 percent discount rate and 2017 timber prices are used in all scenarios.

## Summary

In this article, we have presented the most rigorous way of estimating the value of immature stands. In the process, we have reviewed many of the costs and revenues associated with forest investments. In Figure 2, we have analyzed the impacts of establishment costs and productivity levels on a 10-year immature stand valuation. While interest rates and timber prices remain similar in that analysis, you can quickly assess the impacts of establishment costs and productivity levels on timber valuation.

When reviewing your forestry investments, pay particular attention to the impact of various costs and revenues, particularly the cost of capital or the interest rate. A number of factors, including the initial establishment costs, the age of the stand, the interest rate, the productive capacity of the land, and the rotation age will affect forestry investments. Different growth and yield models could project varying growth rates, which will alter thinning and final harvest values accordingly.

## Seeking Professional Help

Need professional assistance in calculating the value of your timber and land? You can obtain a list of forestry consultants from the local office of:

Or online from

Here are a few growth and yield embedded investment calculators (web-based applications) for forestry investment and valuation:

## References

Bullard, S. H., and T. Monaghan. 1999. “What’s the Monetary Value of Your Premerchantable Timber?” Forest Landowner Magazine, March/April 10-14.

Bullard, S. H., and T. J. Straka. 2011. “Basic Concepts in Forest Valuation and Investment Analysis: Edition 3.0.” ScholarWorks, Stephen F. Austin State University.

# Authors

Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Forest Economics
Forestry & Environmental Resources
Extension Forestry Specialist
Forestry & Environmental Resources
Area Specialized Agent, Forestry