Come Learn about Forestry at Bailey Mill Plantation

Baily Mill Plantation is an ideal showroom for what active forest managment is all about. Come learn about how the Porter's manage their tree farm, applying the best avaialble silviculutre to achieve optimal environmental and ecnomic outcomes.
 ITINERARY FOR AN UPCOMING TOUR WITH THE SC FORESTRY ASSOCIATION 

Tree Terminology

Sometimes talking about trees can get pretty technical. Sharpen your forestry knowledge with this free guide of common forestry terms and their definitions
Click for A List of common Forestry Terms

A Snapshot of SC Forests

Information Courtesy of the South Carolina Forestry Assocation.
Forest Area
  • South Carolina has 13 million acres of forestland -- 67% of the state’s total land area.
  • Hardwood timber types occupy over 52% of the state’s forestland. Softwoods occupy 48%.
  • South Carolina’s forestland acreage has averaged 12.6 million acres since 1968.
Economic Impact
  • The total economic impact of South Carolina's forest industry is $21 Billion.
  • SC exports $1.27 billion in forest products each year.
  • Timber is SC's most harvested crop at $759 annually.
  • Forestry is number one among manufacturing industries in jobs (84,000+) and labor income.
Forest Ownership
  • 88% of SC forests are privately owned and managed.
  • 63% of private forests are family-owned.
  • The average “family forest” is 80 acres with. 56% of these families live on the land.
  • Forest industries own 137,400 acres, down 93% since 2001.
  • 12% of SC forests are public.
Forest Inventory
  • South Carolina’s forests now contain 25 billion cubic feet of wood, more than at any time in the past century.
  • The state’s forests, both hardwood and softwood, are growing more wood than is being harvested.
  • Net annual softwood growth is double the growth rate of 30 years ago.
  • The present annual growth of 935 million cubic feet per year is the highest recorded.
Stewardship
  • SC’s Best Management Practices for Forestry successfully protect water quality with 97% compliance.
  • Over 439,000 acres are enrolled in the SC Tree Farm Program.

Partners - Local, State, National

Here at Baily Mill we work with a variety of differnt organizations of varying size and scope, from the local level all the way to large national corporations. Each of these organizations brings something unique to our partnership.
The Port Royal Sound Foundation serves the Lowcountry of South Carolina with a goal of educating the public about coastal ecosystems, & why they are worth protecting.
SC Forestry Association
The SC Forestry Assocation provides a host of services for SC landowners, from technical forestry assistance to lobbying for forest friendly policies at the state & local level.
American Forest Foundation
The AFF provides a host of great resources for landowners who are looking to take a more active approach to managing their forestland. No matter your goals AFF can help you meet them.