1. Assessment of Forest Products Value for the South
Jersey Land and Water Trust
Hardy Property
Block 13 Lot 8
159 Pedricktown-Woodstown Road
Oldmans Township, New Jersey
Salem County
38 acres
October 2010
Prepared by:
Ronald Farr
Farr Forestry Services
6 Ricker Road
Newfoundland, NJ 07435
973-831-3358
973-208-8165
farrforest@yahoo.com

2. Introduction
A field investigation of the site was conducted in August 2010 to measure the total
amount of woody biomass found on the 39 acre Hardy Property located at 159
Pedricktown-Woodstown Road.
The property is located
along the Oldmans
Creek and associated
wetlands. This portion
of the waterway is
freshwater tidal. There
are several streams,
some intermittent that
flow through the
property and into
Oldmans Creek.
A comparison of the
1930 aerial images with
the 2002 and 2007 aerial images shows the areas where large old growth trees would be
located as opposed to “second growth” forests, areas which were cleared in the 1930’s.
These maps can be found in the appendices.
Timber values utilized were calculated utilizing real timber value data from southeastern
Pennsylvania. It should be noted that data for New Jersey timber values do not exist due
to the limited industry currently found in the state.
Firewood prices were calculated at $125/cord which likely over estimated the value of
standing firewood as split cordwood in Southern New Jersey was listed as $150 per cord
on Craigslist in Southern New Jersey.
A 30 inch diameter Chestnut Oak on the
Hardy Property adjacent to Oldmans Creek.

3. Findings
Portions of this property had pockets of very large old growth trees where several sample
plots were conducted. The areas with very large trees were often associated with steep
slopes and within stream or wetland buffers. The average value per acre on these sites
was $15,800/acre. The site with the highest amount of timber was found to contain
22,350 board feet per acre. The plot with the highest firewood amounts was found to
contain 59.4 cords per acre.
The site with the lowest forest
product value contained 0
board feet of growing stock
and 9 cords per acre.
It must be noted that these
calculations were completed as
if all woody biomass greater
than 2 inches in diameter
would be removed from the
site. This is an unlikely
scenario due to the
environmental restrictions on
the site such as stream and wetland buffers and steep slopes.
Large Chestnut Oak Trees on a steep slope leading
down to Oldmanns Creek.

4. Conclusions
The average per acre value for forest products is $3,800 per acre if all woody biomass
was removed from the site. This is a high estimate for values for several reasons.
1. The values were calculated using timber values from southeastern Pennsylvania
as New Jersey numbers are not available. Transportation costs from the Hardy
Property to mills in Pennsylvania would result in extensive transportation costs to
get the product to the sawmill from the site which was not taken into account.
2. These value estimates were calculated under the assumption that all woody
material greater than 2 inches in diameter would be removed from the site. This
would not be possible due to the steep slopes, stream and wetland buffers that
would have to be taken into account on the property. While these features do not
prevent removal of woody biomass it would restrict the amount that could be
removed at one time.
3. Firewood values were calculated by using current prices in southern New Jersey
which is based upon the wood already being cut and split. There is no way to
ascertain standing firewood value in New Jersey.
4. In order to remove the timber there
would have to be substantial
upgrades to the road system on the
property to allow for the material
to be efficiently removed from the
site while causing the least amount
of environmental damage. This
would include construction or
clearing of forest roads with water
bars and broad based dips installed. Large specimen trees located adjacent to
a small stream on the Hardy property.