Spreadsheets

The spreadsheets described below were created in response to common questions or needs of clients.  Most of the spreadsheets in this section were orignally accompanied by memos, some of which are found in the memos section.  They are currently available on request by email .  Please state which ones you want and the name and version number of your spreadsheet program.  These programs will be converted to Formula One for interactive use on this web site as soon as time allows.

VGR Spreadsheet.  VGR means Value Growth Rate.  This spreadsheet calculates value growth rates for trees over a ten year period.  You must select species, diameter, rate of growth, log height and present tree grade; you must estimate future log height and future tree grade.  The spreadsheet draws on stored data for volumes and values by species, diameters and grades.  It uses financial formulas to calculate rates of return.  You can change any variable or set of variables and the spreadsheet will recalculate the rate of return.

Cost/Benefit Spreadsheet.  This spreadsheet asks for cost data on annual taxes, management planning, boundary work, timber sale administration, thinning and weeding.  It estimates the returns on these expenses and calculates the rate of return on the discounted total costs for a 10 year period.

PP Prune Spreadsheet.   This is a USFS spreadsheet for Ponderosa Pine adapted for Eastern White Pine.  The original program allows for input of lumber values of all grades; this version has them set at 1995 levels.  The sheet asks for present age, diameter and height of trees to be pruned, and the cost of pruning them.  It also asks for age, diameter and height of these trees at harvest.  The program calculates future values and rate of return on the investment in pruning.

TCBUD Spreadsheet.   TCBUD stands for Tree Crops Budget.  This spreadsheet was designed to calculate returns on investments in northern nut tree plantations.  It asks for a wide range of input data on planting and maintenance costs, plus yields and values of nuts.  It projects total yields and calculates rate of return on investment.

CR Spreadsheet.  CR stands for Conservation Restriction.  This spreadsheet compares costs and returns for putting land under conservation restriction (and taking the tax deduction) with costs and returns from development.  Where costs for subdivision road construction are significant, conservation restrictions can be the most cost-effective way to go.

Capital Gains Spreadsheet.  This spreadsheet calculates capital gains from timber sales.  It calculates timber investment basis by subtracting other property values from the total acquisition costs.  Then it subtracts the basis from returns of sales to determine the capital gains.