Exploring the social acceptability of hybrid sweetgum plantations in the south-central United States

Hybrid sweetgum has potential as a dual-purpose plantation in the southern United States due to its rapid growth and suitability for planting on a wide range of sites. To understand its social acceptability, a survey instrument was administered among 3,000 private landowners in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas. The survey results showed that a considerable percentage of landowners (41 %) were uncertain and would probably benefit from more information available to them on the topic. A multinomial logit analysis found that landowners who had timber management objectives were more interested in growing hybrid sweetgum if it was profitable and practically feasible. Similarly, female landowners and those having higher education were found to be more interested in growing hybrid sweetgum. Study findings suggest a need for outreach on economic feasibility, management, start-up costs, and tax implications concerning hybrid sweetgum plantations.