Page 21 - Georgia Forestry - Issue 1 - Winter 2023

By John Casey
Georgia’s forest lands have the most fertile soil for pine trees in the world. The state’s annual timber harvest is America’s larg-
est by volume and forest product exports. All the while 48% more timber by volume is planted than harvested each year. The foundation of that invaluable industry for Georgia is keeping those forests in the hands of private landowners.
More than 91% of Georgia forests are owned by private landowners. That’s well above any other state in the nation. For Jim Parker, a legacy forestry landowner, that means something special — and his family’s story explains why.
Getting the Lay
of the Land
Parker owns nearly 6,000 acres of forest- land nestled along the Altamaha River in Long County, GA. It’s been in his family for generations, with the first tract of land coming from a land grant to his ances- tors for serving in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Since then, the family’s land has grown, with the bulk of the acreage being added in the 1920s and 1930s as his grandfather built up his turpentine business.
Every acre is covered in trees. Both planted and natural pine woods cover the majority of the property. A few hundred acres of river swamp in the lowest levels of the floodplain boast gorgeous native cypress and hardwoods.
The wildlife is abundant, with deer and turkey throughout the property. In the 1930s and 1940s, before the deer population boomed and became widespread throughout the state, the Parker family operated a large hunting camp at the center of the property. People from throughout the South would travel by train to the slice of outdoorsman heaven, equipped with cabins and even a mess hall that still stands today.
Top: Jim Parker showcases a turkey from his property. Left: Jim’s late grandfather, James Parker, Jr., who authored A History of Georgia Forestry (above).
www.GeorgiaForestryMagazine.com | 19