Do you ever wonder where your paper or lumber is produced? You can Thank a Farmer or Rancher for that! The timber industry is pretty big in Arkansas. According to the Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development, 18,778,660 acres, or 56% of Arkansas’ land is used for growing timber. This industry contributes more than 32,200 jobs to Arkansas’ economy.

On our ranch we have some timber land and there is a lot more to the job than sitting and watching trees grow. From January through March we will be burning underbrush in the tracts to control hardwood and weed growth and give our pines the best opportunity to grow. This is all a new experience for me, so you will be learning right along with me.

After getting careful detail, I was able to make it to the right tract. All of the roads look the same to me, and it is pretty easy to get lost.

This is some of the undergrowth that we will be control burning.
Before burning, we must take a bulldozer and clear the fire lane around each tract to prevent the fire from jumping between tracts.
We use fuel to create a line of fire. Starting down wind with one line, then moving up wind so we can use the wind to drive the fire, but limit the momentum the fire can gain.
Conditions are a little wet right now for a good burn, but we will have to see what it does next time.

Growing timber is all new to me, so I will be sharing the whole cycle as I learn more about it!

Does your family grow timber? What variety of timber do you grow and what tips can you give me?

Published by Ryan Goodman

Ryan Goodman works in grassroots advocacy as a communications consultant with beef cattle farmers and ranchers across the United States. He is a proud alumnus of Oklahoma State University, with studies focusing on cattle reproduction and nutrition. Ryan's experience in the beef industry range from family farms and ranches in several states to large feedlots and non-profit policy organizations. Ryan is an avid trail and ultrarunner, proudly showing how beef can be an important part of a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Find Ryan on social media as @BeefRunner.