(36) Evaluating an Agroforestry Approach to Woody Cuts Production in Florida

Abstract

The demand for special forest products used in the floral industry has a rapidly expanding market. Woody cuts come from perennial shrubs, trees, or woody vines, and are used as floral design materials for the flowering branches, foliage, fruits, or stems. Evaluation of specialty and woody cut production is needed to determine if these plants may be adapted to sustainable agroforestry production systems. An agroforestry approach to woody cuts production for longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) producers in Florida is a natural approach given the relatively open canopy of this timber species and the occurrence of several native species with ornamental characteristics that are currently utilized on a small scale for woody cuts production. The present approach to evaluating the suitability of these systems utilizes the following objectives: 1) Evaluate the production potential of ornamental species in monoculture and agroforestry silviculture systems and determine the biophysical interactions between system components. This objective will assess system design and its role on system productivity; determine time to ornamental yield. 2) Quantify the cost of establishing ornamentals for woody cuts production in both monoculture and agroforestry systems. This objective will identify and track overhead/fixed costs and variable costs associated with the ornamental cuts and timber crops for monoculture and agroforestry production systems over a 3-year period. 3) Investigate potential markets for the distribution and sale of cut foliage, flowers or stems. This objective will lead to consultations with florists and cut foliage wholesalers about potential market volume, price, and specifications for products produced within the longleaf pine agroforestry production system.