Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business

Today, I’m joined by Erin Lincoln, Director of the Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business at the University of Georgia, for an academic, data-driven look at what’s happening across timberland markets in the U.S. Southeast. Erin breaks down how hurricane impacts, permanent pulp and paper mill closures, and soft housing starts are reshaping demand for small-diameter wood—and what that means for landowners, communities, and investors. We explore where opportunity may emerge next, from bioenergy, carbon capture and storage, biochar, sustainable aviation fuel and natural capital themes, alongside the growing role of higher-and-better-use (HBU) revenue streams. Erin also explains how investor expectations differ across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, why reporting requirements are pinching TIMOs, and where AI could unlock new efficiency across forestry operations, compliance, and decision-making.

Forestry is extremely data intensive, and AI has the potential to fundamentally change how we manage forests—from thinning decisions to trucking efficiency and compliance.

00:00 Welcome to Forest Invest

00:32 Erin Lincoln’s favorite tree (and why oaks matter)

01:02 Erin’s career path and role at the Center for Forest Business

02:10 Education, outreach, and research at UGA

03:19 Why the program is known for forest finance and economics

04:48 Setting the scene: the state of the US forest industry

05:00 Mill closures in the Southeast and hurricane impacts

07:12 Housing starts, inflation, and pressure on sawmills

08:04 Declining paper demand and global competition

09:09 Permanent mill closures and real estate constraints

10:05 Downturns create opportunity: bioenergy, biochar, SAF

11:39 Public perception of forestry and sustainable harvesting

14:43 What investors should know right now

14:56 Real estate, HBUs, and diversified revenue streams

16:16 ESG, natural capital, and return expectations

17:24 US vs European investor priorities

18:41 Reporting burdens and pressure on TMOs

20:06 Specialisation in a maturing timber investment market

22:01 What future forest investment professionals care about

23:52 Generational shifts in forestry careers

25:56 Research priorities: natural capital and bioeconomy

27:42 Measuring the full economic impact of forestry

28:42 Key knowledge gaps in carbon and forest products

30:04 The role of investors in shaping innovation

31:04 Advice for young foresters choosing a specialty

32:34 Why Erin is optimistic about the sector’s future

33:31 Artificial intelligence in forestry and timber investment

36:32 Where AI is already improving efficiency

38:08 One actionable piece of advice for new investors

39:18 Where to learn more about the Center for Forest Business

40:01 Closing remarks

Production team

Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives

Sound library

Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

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US Southeast Timberland Markets in Transition — A University Perspective with Erin Lincoln