The Optimal Harvest Scheme for Pine Trees When Carbon Value Is Considered

Abstract Since trees sequestrate carbon and reduce the level of its concentrations in the atmosphere, forests should be considered as carbon pools as well as timber producers. This study focuses on finding optimal harvest age when carbon sequestration from trees is accounted by forest managers. A dynamic programming employs a static volume matrix, and solves the harvest decision problems. If carbon value is accounted in a tree harvest decision model, the optimal harvest age increases. The harvest age of pine trees set by the government for national forests is longer than the optimal solution. It is possible to say that the managers of national forests put more values on the standing pine trees than the value of carbon sequestration. The regulation for private forests, on the other hand, ends up in a shorter harvest age than the optimal solution, and this discrepancy could lead to an inefficient private forest management