Consider an annual return of roughly $60 to $80 per acre on a tree crop planted only once every 15 to 20 years.
Forest 2020 co-ordinator Derek Sidders understands the deGraafs’ frustration waiting for a financial return on their three-year old tree crop.
“The only thing I can say today (April 24) is to be patient,” says Sidders. The forestry specialist says poplar and willow plots have excellent potential for long-term financial return.
“With the afforestation plantations, farmers will see a return between ($60 and $80 per acre).
“On the concentrated willow plantations, there will be more of a carbon credit and more of an annual payment once they’re up and running with better species and better technology.
“Then factor in the lifespan of a plantation, which is 15 to 20 years. Plus you have very minimal costs once a plot is established.”
“If there’s going to be a carbon capture or carbon trading program in Canada, it will start on December 1, 2008, because that’s the beginning of the five-year Kyoto assessment reporting period.”
