Marketing Woody Ornamentals: Practices and Trends of Nurseries in Louisiana

Report Introduction: Sales of woody ornamentals have become increasingly important in Louisiana's economy. As a result, the industry needs statistical information which will serve as a basis for production and marketing policies. Census data for all States growing woody ornamentals provide tangible evidence of Louisiana's relative position in the industry. During 1959-64, the number of acres devoted to the production of woody ornamentals increased considerably faster in Louisiana than in the Nation as a whole. The increase in total dollar volume of sales, however, was only about 25 percent of the average increase for the Nation. The smaller increase in sales than in physical size suggests the existence of production and marketing problems among Louisiana nurserymen. This report provides a profile of the Louisiana woody ornamental nursery industry. It contains descriptive data designed to give a general picture of the industry to reveal problem areas needing additional study by public or private agencies.