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Investing in Alabama timber for profit: start with good dirt

By Tom Brickman on July 31, 2012

Alabama Timberland Many investors see Alabama timberland as a safe place to put money.

So, if growing trees for profit is why you are shopping for rural land, here is a tip:

Start with land that has productive soils

The difference in tons of wood grown between good soils and poor soils can be 200% over the life cycle of the investment.  Our experience is that it’s hard to pay too much for productive land (or too little for poor land).

Think of trees as a crop

Many types of soils are suitable but trees, like any crop, do better on productive soils. Contact a consulting forester or extension agent for assistance with soil productivity.

Avoid steep land

Besides having poor soils, steep slopes limit your options for site preparation, tree planting and harvesting. Mostly, this is an issue in the north half of Alabama. Hills are not a problem. We’re talking about land that is hard to walk up, or has extensive visible surface rock.

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