Within a 75-mile radius of the GTR, there are 16 existing softwood sawtimber mills and 12 minor hardwood sawmills; however, these mills, in some cases, own enough land to provide up to 90% of the timber they process each year. As a result, over 4 million acres of privately grown timber are underutilized. It is estimated that this underutilized timber can feed over 10 additional mills in the region. As of 2022, the excess tonnage of timber was approximately:
Softwood Sawtimber: 7.3 million green tons/year
Hardwood Sawtimber: 2.4 million green tons/year
A recent study estimates that a prospect mill, processing even a fraction of the available tonnage, can expect to earn a profit within the first five years of operation.
Furthermore, wood can be purchased, harvested, and transported to the mill sites in this region at possibly the lowest cost and rates than any other area of the nation. Recent, week ending May 2, 2025, average costs and rates for wood to existing mills in our area are as follows:
- Pine Pulpwood: $25.50 Per Ton
- Pine Chip and Saw: $34.80 Per Ton
- Pine Saw Timber: $46.20 Per Ton
- Pine Poles: $58.00 Per Ton
- Hardwood Pulpwood: $26.00 Per Ton
- Mixed Hardwood Logs: $65.00 Per Ton
Unit prices per ton include stumpage price, harvest, and loading cost plus transportation to the mill (based on a 50-mile travel distance).
Growth and Removals
All Live
A comparison of net growth and removals provides insight on the sustainability of the resource. Inventory levels are expected to increase over time when net growth exceeds removals. Inventory levels are expected to decrease over time when removals exceed net growth.
Growth estimates are average annual net growth of live trees at least 5.0 inches diameter at breast height on timberland. Net growth estimates are gross growth minus mortality. It is possible for net growth to be negative. Removal estimates are average annual removals of live trees at least 5.0 inches in diameter at breast height on timberland.
Growth and removals of all live trees on private timberland in the supply analysis area
| Softwood | Hardwood | All | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Growth | 21.1 | 8.9 | 30.0 |
| Removals | 10.7 | 3.5 | 14.2 |
| Ratio (G:R) | 1.98 | 2.55 | 2.12 |
Data from Southern Timber Supply Analysis by SouthernTimberSupply.com
Pine Growth vs. Harvest Rate
Pine timber in the dark areas of this map is growing twice as fast as it’s being harvested (See the Golden Triangle in NE Mississippi). The lightest areas of the map indicate harvest rates about equal to growth.
Total Pine Growth-to-Drain 2021
Source: Forisk 2022 Timber Market Rankings Study
Forisk Consulting
Watkinsville, GA