By Jim Griffith I recently sold a sizable tract of old-growth longleaf pine. In the timber business there is nothing like mature longleaf pine trees. These are the majestic pines people associate with Georgia, and the tract we sold was as good as it gets – that is, before pine beetles made their attack on … Read more…
By Jim Griffith Communities across this country are experiencing the negative effects of the real estate bubble bursting. The housing markets in these areas are expressing unprecedented price drops. I was recently told that a friend’s neighbor sold his house for $60,000 less than the appraised value of a year ago. No matter how much … Read more…
By Jim Griffith In past columns I’ve advocated that timber owners enlist the help of a registered forester to sell their timber. Some readers might say I only advocate this because I am trying to sell my own services. While offering the advice might bring some business to the GFB Forestry Company, the recommendation of … Read more…
By Jim Griffith I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard people say, “If I can’t get any more money than that for my timber, I’m just going to let it die and rot on the ground!” I’ve also heard timber owners refuse to sell because of the amount of taxes they would … Read more…
By Jim Griffith Registered Forester #1616 I continually have to remind landowners that timber is an investment. It is an asset in which your money is tied up. You bought it and are paying interest on it or either it is earning you interest. It is an investment just like a share of stock. Stock … Read more…
By Jim Griffith Registered Forester #1616 I recently learned the hard way that you can’t secure the highest possible bid for your timber by knowing what your timber is worth nor by contacting a timber buyer known for paying good prices. I was selling timber for a landowner who had a 10-acre stand of pine … Read more…
By Jim Griffith I almost always suggest getting multiple bids on your timber to make sure you get the highest price possible. Are there ever exceptions to this self-created rule of mine? Well of course there are! I’m sure you have heard the saying, “Never say never.” I’ve often told you that just because a … Read more…
By Jim Griffith Registered Forester #1616 Many areas of Georgia are seeing record lows of rainfall this year. One good thing about a drought is the opportunity to log forests that are normally too wet to allow equipment in for harvesting. However, the bad thing about drought is that it puts trees under stress. People … Read more…
By Jim Griffith Registered Forester #1616 I talked with a timber seller this past week. He was in the process of selling his timber and wanted to know if he was getting a good price. Determining a good price for your timber starts with hiring a forester who represents you. Timber owners tell me all … Read more…
By Jim Griffith Registered Forester #1616 I get calls all the time from timber owners who want to know what to do with their timber. Often, this is a general question to which I’m expected to definitively answer right then and there; so I do, “It depends.” And it does depend on the type, quantity, … Read more…
