Green Hill Land and Forestry Blog

Should You Sell Land With or Without the Timber?

Should You Sell Land With or Without the Timber? All through my career I have been asked to sell timber, and then, a few years later, I am asked to sell the land. Is it better to sell land and timber together or separate? Different circumstances require different approaches, but generally, we absolutely suggest selling land and timber together. Timber Land Vs. Clear-cut Land Very simply put, land with timber has much more character than clear-cut land. You have many more options with the timber standing. Many of our clients have never sold timber before and do not understand the process, nor realize how unsightly a cutover … [Read more...]

Benefits of a Land and Forest Management Plan

Managing your land and forest is equally important as your stock investments. You study your stock portfolio and you certainly need to pay close attention to your land and timber investments. Land and timber returns have a direct relationship with your management efforts. Different investment goals require different management tactics, prescriptions and approaches to reach or achieve these designated goals. Managing Your Forest is a Long-term Strategy A forest is a long-term investment and, in many cases, a lifetime investment. Having a vision of where you want to be and what you want along the way is an integral part of developing a plan. … [Read more...]

Good Land Management Tools Enhance Your Property’s Value and Enjoyment

As a land broker and Forester, I have taken and taught many continuing education classes since the mid 1980’s. Every so often I take a course that is very inspiring and motivational. Recently, I took a course through Clemson University in coordination with the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA). The Deer Steward 1 course was mainly concerned with management for deer but covered everything from timber management, burning, habitat manipulation, game plots, forage management, what a cull buck is, herd management, nutrition, buck/doe ratios and lots more. If you own land, you should take this course. QDMA also provides hunting lease … [Read more...]

How Prescribed Burns Can Benefit Land in the Southeast

Wildfires on the West Coast seem to be in the news every year due to low humidity, hot weather, and gusting Santa Ana winds. The destruction and devastation is unbelievable, with damages totaling billions of dollars. This certainly makes us all think about our land on the east coast and how to prevent Wildfires. The Southeastern U.S. Environment Our environment and topography are different than the west coast though. Our land in the Southeast is divided, with many streams and wetlands, making us less susceptible to the large fires. The mountainous dry, windy, terrain of the west is quite difficult to manage. There are things we can do … [Read more...]

Selling Your Land? Of Course, You Need Curb Appeal!

You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression You only get one chance at a first impression. Why do you think so many residential realtors stage houses? Why do people trim their hedges, cut the grass, paint, etc. before they put their home on the market? Why would selling your LAND be any different? As a land professional for many years, I have looked at countless properties. Some properties have character and some just do not. Some properties are well managed, whereas others are not. A potential buyer’s first impression of your property is of huge importance. This is why a subdivision has a grand gated entrance. Land is no … [Read more...]

Good Timber Management Improves Wildlife Habitat, Before and After Harvest

We’ve written about the positive impact of a second thinning on wildlife habitat. All pine plantations need thinning. Whether it is a first thinning or subsequent thinnings, you will experience increased growth, better stand health and improved wildlife habitat. But what does good timber management look like after the harvest? There are different reasons for thinning and how we manage timber to reach the objective or management goal. For this objective, we are looking to improve wildlife habitat and management food sources and habitat specifically deer and turkey. One requirement was that thinning operations was not to take place during … [Read more...]