Abstract
This paper explores two timberland index applications: asset allocation and investment performance evaluation. The Southern Timberland Index Fund (STIF), a southern pine index fund, is adopted for use in these applications. In the asset allocation application, the mean risk of risk-return efficient portfolios containing financial assets and the STIF is discovered to be 43% less than the mean risk of the efficient portfolios containing only financial assets. Efficient portfolios contain the STIF in proportions as high as almost 30%. As far as performance is concerned, a timberland index is suggested for use as a benchmark for evaluating (1) timberland investment managers and (2) the investment performance of timberland versus other investment alternatives. Before such applications become commonplace, it is concluded that problems associated with existing timberland indexes be addressed. South. J. Appl. For. 14(3):119-124.
