I would like a little input

[Dodgy Loner]

I'm afraid I can't offer much advice about investment strategies, but I did want to say that I'm surprised at all the reports of falling land prices around the country.  It's still in the neighborhood of 30-50K for small tracts here, 10-20K for large acreages .  Sounds like I need to buy some land in DanG's neighborhood .

[Dana]

Lots of land up here and not selling. It seem's to bounce from agent to agent and each time the price is reduced.
My niece just bought a house that sold for $209,000. a few years ago for $109000. it was purchased from the bank this time.

[SwampDonkey]

I know one speculator into the real estate business that bought up timber lands from a company that went out of business. I was with a fellow looking at the land on aerial photos and there was no timber left on the 1000's of acres for sale except riparian and camp lots. That was 4 years ago. He is calling himself Grey Rapids Lumber Company and now lists his land as Grey Rapids Nature Preserve since it is adjacent to protected Public Forests. It doesn't look like he sold anything yet. As I recall it's along the Renous river watershed.  If JDI didn't buy it, it can't be worth too much.

[ID4ster]

Well it depends on how much risk you want to take with your investment. As others have noted simply buying the timber or cutting rights is highly risky in a volitile or declining market. Making sure that you own the land underneath it gives you some better options. Work with your forester and purchase timberland that can grow trees at a good rate (given proper management of course) and you'll proably find that the real rate of return will surprise you. Timber that you can hold is a good investment since you can hold it for a better market. But like any investment you'll have to do your research. There is also some timber investment software that you can use to determine if a particular tract is a good one to purchase. It takes into consideration the productivity of the ground, transportation distances, types of mills available, the area where you're growing the timber, etc. If you're interested in something like that give me a personal message and I can fill you in on the details. I don't have anything to do with the software I just know who developed it and where to get it.   

[Woodhog]

Dont forget about the risk of losing your investment some warm windy summer afternoon.

Also with woodland investments I am starting to worry about climate change.

There seem to be more pests surviving the winter and using the woods for 1st class dining
facilities around here.

Also more timber is being blown down in land that is shallow rooted, as there seem to be more violent wind storms going thru.

[timberfaller390]

I know several old timers that made their fortunes in land and cattle speculation coming out of the depression. Maybe we'll be seeing some good opertunities to make some money as we come out of this depression(they still are not calling it that but get real) Of course around here bootlegging always helped to suplement their farm income. 

[John Woodworth]

Be careful and check the enviornmental side of things around any waterfront of stream frontage, the enviornmentst  like to dictate policy and you could be stuck with part of the property you can't touch.

[Ironwood]

Good input John, I hadn't thought of that.

 Ironwood

[Chico]

IF i were to do it I would buy in appalachian and norhern reigions unless I found a very good stand of cypress and I would really look at quality more than stem count  Good logs will almost always sell I would also check around to see if there had been any insect infestations of any regularity and Also remember doesn't matter when you sell it location will be a factor also  I would look more toward White oak red oak walnut and ash also cherry  God luck 
Chico