Timberland......Who Owns All The Timberland?

A recent case study reveals some interesting facts and trends:

• In 2000 forest products companies owned about 20% of privately owned timberland, 36 million was in the Southeast. By 2010 much of these holdings had changed hands.

• The top 10 companies owned 38.7 million acres in 2000. After a historic divestiture that number dropped to 21.5 million acres. Four of the top five are Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs), tax advantaged entities with timberland as their prinicipal business.
• Timberland Investment Management Organizations (TIMOs) purchased many of the acres sold.
• Timberland prices also increased over the period. Nation wide prices averaged $800 per acre in 2000. Prices peaked in 2007 at $1,800 per acre. By 2010 prices had fallen back to 2006 levels.
 

For Information on Buying or Selling Land contact G. Kent Morris, ALC, RF at                          (706) 457-0090