Timberland total returns down in second quarter 2015

Timber performance weakened in second quarter 2015, as total returns for timberland were 0.51 percent, down from 1.75 percent in the previous quarter, according to the results of the NCREIF Timberland Index. Timber values dropped in the quarter, which recorded depreciation of 0.05 percent.

The 12-month total return for the period ending in second quarter 2015 was 10.02 percent.

The Northeast region experienced the lowest total return at nearly –1 percent, pulled down by depreciation of 1.16 percent. The Lake States led performance among the regions with a total return of 0.79 percent and. The South and Northwest returned 0.57 percent and 0.55 percent, respectively.

Timberland total returns have dropped significantly from fourth quarter 2014 when all four regions returned between 5 percent and 7 percent. First quarter 2015 showed a significant drop for the South and Northwest from the previous quarter.

The timberland market value per acr