Where can I buy seedlings to plant, that can be harvested in 30 years when I retire?
Some trees with fast growth rates on good sites that might provide saleable products in 30 years include poplars and cottonwoods, tuliptree, silver maple, sycamore, ash, black locust, river birch, and possibly black cherry. Value of these trees will vary widely based on demand, and wood quality and volume. Most of these species are available from state or private nurseries. However, harvesting trees for high value products in 30 years is not very likely at this time in Indiana. Some tree species growing on good sites with consistent management have the potential to produce small logs in 30 years, but the volume and value of the logs may not make this an attractive investment. A rapid increase in both volume and value of wood may occur if the trees are allowed to grow for 10 to 20 more years. As an example, walnut trees in a well-managed plantation on a productive site might average 0.4 inches of diameter growth each year. After 30 years the trees remaining after the thinnings required
