The economic feasibility of reclaiming phosphate mined lands with short-rotation woody crops in Florida

Fast growing and short-rotation tree crops provide unique opportunities to reclaim phosphate-mined lands in central Florida. Optimum management of the eucalyptus short-rotation woody crop forestry system studied necessitates harvests every 2.5–3.6 years and replanting after 2–5 coppice harvests. The value of phosphate mined land under Eucalyptus amplifolia forestry ranges from $762 to $6507 ha−1 assuming discount rates of 10% and 4%, respectively, establishment costs of $1800 ha−1, planting costs of $1200 ha−1, planting density of 8400 tree ha−1, and a stumpage price of $20 dry Mg−1.