Frequently Asked Questions
Is Georgia timberland a good investment and what drives returns?
Yes, Georgia is an incredible place to invest in trees. According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, the state is the number one timber producer in the nation. The market is packed with active mills that buy pine for lumber and paper. The state also has massive plants that turn smaller wood into pellets to ship overseas for energy. Historically, owners see yearly returns of 5 to 8 percent when you combine the wood sales the rising land value and the hunting lease income. When you add the massive property tax discount from the state conservation program, holding timber land in Georgia is very cheap and highly profitable.
What timber species are most commercially valuable in Georgia?
Loblolly pine is the absolute king of the Georgia timber industry and makes up almost all of the planted tree farms. Longleaf pine is also very valuable because the lumber is highly prized and the open woods create the perfect home for wild quail. When it comes to hardwood trees, white oak and red oak bring in huge money when they grow wide enough to cut for lumber. Slash pine is very common in the sandy land down south. Because the state exports so much wood, there is always a buyer for almost any size of pine tree you grow.
What should I look for when evaluating Georgia timberland?
Before you buy anything, you need to hire a registered forester to walk the woods and measure the trees to tell you exactly what the wood is worth. The Georgia Forestry Commission is a great resource to help find local experts. You also need to check the land roads on the property because loggers will pay you less for your wood if they cannot get their big trucks in and out easily. Check the deed to make sure a previous owner did not sell the tree rights to someone else. Finally, look at the USDA soil maps to see how fast new trees will grow back after you cut them, because bad land will ruin your long term profits.
