Another problem you may face that hasn't been mentioned yet is finding someone interested in buying the timber on only 100 acres. The number of crews available has gone down drastically in the past 20 years. When you get to the end of the cycle and are ready to clear-cut 100 acres of 28 year old wood, you can probably find interest in it right now. But finding someone to thin it can be very challenging.

What really concerns me is how many crews will still be operating 25 years from now? I am concerned that the day may come when a guy with only 100 acres can't get his timber cut for any price. Ok, that is the worst case scenario, but just look at the real world prices that Jarod posted and tell me how you are gonna make $3k per acre with those prices?

There was once a time when a small landowner could make decent money growing timber. I fear that time may be gone. Sure hope I am wrong.