Decisions on operations such as harvesting schedules, regeneration methods, site preparation prescriptions and access road engineering can be planned in a logical and more profitable manner. The soil survey published by the Soils Convervation Service (SCS) were generally mapped for the production of agriculteral crops that deals with surface soil layer or Ap horizon and is sufficient for timber production. Factors affecting woody growth or deep-rooted tree species are more complex. Micro-site conditions such as surface soil depth or surface and internal drainage conditions are often insufficiently defined to assess pine tree productivity.

Through soil evaluation and mapping, we can derive soil types and characteristics, which enables determination of site productivity or site index. Site Index is a measure of site quality based on height of dominant trees at a base age. Through soil mapping we can determine pine tree site index in open fields where there are no trees. Additionally, soil evaluations help in determination of Streamside Management Zones (SMZ) and other problem areas that need omitted or regulated in timber harvesting. Through soil evaluations we can locate these areas and practice a more environmental friendly management.

Most big timber producing companies have started soiil mapping their land. They do this to locate their high yeild timber area, moderate yield timber areas and problem areas. Georgia Pacific (The timber comany) started an intensive soil-mapping program in 1996. They enlisted Dr. Ku with the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) to map their lands. This is where I (G. Scott Huff) received my training in soil mapping. We mapped over 75,000 acres in a year. Georgia Pacific and Dr. Ku initiated a nine-category classification system, which would give any trained person, a basis for proper timber management

Their system is broken down as follows:

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