Green Horizons

The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry is launching an online Chestnut Financial Decision Model and an upgraded Black Walnut Financial Decision Model.

These interactive tools will help those thinking about planting trees make decisions about spacing, fertilizing, buying equipment, harvesting, etc. Each decision made in the Excel file changes the long-term profitability. Potential growers can see how each decision affects their bottom line – or doesn’t affect it as much as they might have thought.

Right now the Chestnut tool is going through “sensitivity testing” to make sure all of the bugs are worked out. A test version will be available online at http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/profit/index.asp#edible Feel free to make comments or ask questions about the model to Larry Godsey, MU Center for Agroforestry Economist, at godseyl@missouri.edu or 573-884-3216.

The new Black Walnut version will be available online at http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/profit/index.asp#black

This model is in addition to the current one – the new one focuses more on nut production while the older version is for those more interested in timber production.

In addition, Godsey has a decision model on Pine Straw in the works. All the tools will be online, as available, at http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/profit/index.asp