The Cardboard Box Economy Is Breaking Down

Per capita cardboard usage in America peaked in 1999 and has declined due to reduced packaging waste, smaller boxes, plastic mailers, and increased recycling.

Pulpwood prices have dropped to zero or negative in some markets due to mill closures and cheap foreign eucalyptus pulp competition.

Southern pine farmers rely on thinning plantations to sell small or crooked trees as pulpwood, providing early income while waiting decades for mature lumber trees.

Reducing tree planting density from 650 to 450 per acre to avoid producing excess pulpwood as mill closures threaten the family timber business.

Bill Howard's family has operated a timber business in Georgia for over 130 years, and mill closures threaten its survival.

Pine seedling sales have fallen 20% as farmers consider converting timberland to agriculture, solar farms, or development.

Without a manufacturing base to sell trees into, forests will disappear as farmers switch to other land uses.

New applications for wood pulp like oriented strand board, sustainable aviation fuel, lyocell fabrics, and smokeless gunpowder are being developed, but commercial viability remains uncertain.

Timber farmers have deep emotional and aesthetic ties to their land, making business decisions harder, but many remain optimistic that the industry will survive.

Despite current hardships, the family timber business will survive and continue for future generations.