Carbon dioxide price from which an afforestation interest rate becomes maximum in each cutting age: loblolly pine in southeast Georgia, USA

In this study, a forestry profit model for carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission trading was constructed using southeast Georgia, USA, as the model area. The value of CO₂ credits regarding forest stores of carbon was calculated using the stock changing method, the average storing method, the ton-year method, and the returning CO₂ credit method. Based on this model, the CO₂ price at which an afforestation interest rate reaches its maximum in each 5-year interval at a cutting age of 10–50 years was calculated, considering the influence on the cutting age by introducing emission trading. The cutting age at which an afforestation interest rate reaches its maximum was 32 years. The cutting age shortened with the rise of CO₂ price in all four accounting methods. Assuming the dealing CO₂ price, we can forecast what the present cutting age will be according to the stock changing method and the average storing method in regard to this model. Assuming this CO₂ price and using the ton-year method and the returning CO₂ credit method, we can forecast that the present cutting age is not going to change.