AbstractThe amounts of CO2 that are absorbed and emitted by forest in a model stand area were determined using two calculation methods, namely the flow approach and the stock approach for emission trading, to understand the relationships between the cutting age for the highest profit rate (CAHPR; optimum tree ages to be cut so as to maximize the profit) and (1) the prices of CO2 and (2) the balance between CO2 emission and absorption. The resultant CAHPR differed between these two CO2 accounting methods, which give different tree ages for maximum log volume yield. A rise in CO2 price caused the CAHPR to approach the tree age of maximum log volume in the flow approach method, and to deviate from the tree age of maximum log volume in the stock approach method. Even at the same CO2 price, the CAHPR differed between the CO2 accounting methods. At low CO2 prices, the CAHPR did not affect situations where the difference of average profit is large by cutting age. On the other hand, the CAHPR was greatly affected at low CO2 prices when the mean log volume growth changed with tree age. These trends were found to be universal.