What a Consulting Forester Wants You to Know Before You Buy Timberland
From The National Land Podcast by National Land Realty
March 20, 2026 · 45 min · Season 3 · Episode 170
About this episode
John Ross Havard discusses the complexities of owning timberland and what potential buyers should know.
Understanding Timber and Timberland Investment with John Ross Havard Most people who own timber have no idea what it is actually worth or what it takes to harvest it. John Ross Havard, a consulting forester and land agent based in Alabama with National Land Realty, breaks down the realities of owning timberland for private landowners who make up roughly half of all timberland ownership in the country. John covers why small-acreage timber is harder to monetize than most people assume, what the minimum acreage and access requirements look like before a harvest makes financial sense, how thinning cycles work for planted pine, and why clearcuts get a bad reputation they do not always deserve. He also explains the difference between TIMOs and REITs for investors who want timber exposure without owning land outright, and why the best buys right now are properties priced as pure timberland with untapped recreational potential. Talk with John Ross Havard https://nationalland.com/real-estate-agent/john-ross-havard Visit National Land Realty to see our listings https://www.nationalland.com
People in this episode
Guest: John Ross Havard
Topics covered
- timberland investment
- consulting forester
- timber ownership
- land management
- recreational potential
Keywords
- timber
- timberland
- investment
- harvest
- consulting forester
- recreational potential
- clearcuts
- TIMOs
- REITs
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: National Land Realty
Places: Alabama
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