Skip to content

Southeast Forest Landowner Market Needs Survey

The Forest Landowners Foundation (FLF), in partnership with the Forest Landowners Association, is gathering input from working forest owners across the Southeast to understand today's market challenges and identify practical, landowner-driven solutions — with a particular focus on low-value wood and forest residuals. Your answers will help shape a region-wide pipeline of market opportunities, prioritize where FLF focuses next, and inform conversations with industry, investors, and partners.

This survey takes about 15–20 minutes. Individual responses will be kept confidential and reported only in aggregate unless you choose to share your contact information for follow-up at the end.

If you own land in multiple states, of varying sizes, or with other differing characteristics, please feel free to complete this survey separately for each property — this helps us better understand the specific challenges you're facing in each situation.
Section A — Low-Value Wood, Residuals & Emerging Markets
1.Do you currently have small-diameter timber, forest residuals, storm debris, or other low-value wood on your property that lacks an economically viable market?
2.If yes, what do you currently do with this low-value wood or residual material?
Select all that apply.
3.How interested would you be in participating in the following markets or uses for low-value wood, if a viable, accessible option existed?
Mark one box per row
Very interested
Somewhat
Not interested
Not sure
Biochar production
Wood pellets or biomass energy
Small-diameter or pole-timber markets
Mass timber / engineered wood products
Mulch or soil-amendment markets
Forest carbon markets
Wildlife habitat or biodiversity markets
Water-quality markets
4.What emerging technologies do you think would most benefit forest markets in your area?
Select all that apply
5.If a stable, accessible market existed for your low-value wood or forest residuals, approximately how much material could you realistically commit on an annual basis?

Best estimate is fine — tons, cords, acres treated, or however you'd naturally describe it.
6.What price point would need to be achieved for participating in a low-value wood or residual market to be worth it to you?

Best estimate is fine — per ton, per cord, or however you'd naturally price it.
7.What would most increase your confidence in participating in a new or emerging wood market?

Select your top 2.
8.Would you be interested in aggregating your low-value wood or residuals with neighboring landowners (e.g., shared collection, transportation, or supply agreements) to access a market more efficiently?
Section B — Other Constraints to Management and Market Participation
Beyond market conditions, landowners are sometimes limited by easements, contracts, or regulations. This section helps us understand those constraints separately from market access.
9.Is your forestland currently subject to any of the following agreements or restrictions?
Select all that apply
10.If you are under a conservation easement, carbon contract, or similar agreement, does it limit your ability to harvest, thin, or otherwise actively manage your forestland?
11.Are there regional or local regulations that make it more difficult to harvest or transport timber from your property?
Select all that apply
12.Please describe any other restrictions, agreements, or regulations that affect your ability to manage or market your forestland.
Section C — Current Markets and Forest Management
13.Which markets do you currently sell to or utilize on your forestland?
Select all that apply
14.Over the past 5 years, has your access to viable markets for your timber…
15.Approximately how far do you have to haul timber to reach an active mill or market?
16.What existing forest market(s) do you believe would provide the most immediate relief if expanded or strengthened to you or landowners in your area right now?
Select all that apply
17.What would need to change for the market(s) you selected above to actually provide that relief?
For example: a higher or more stable price, a closer buyer, a guaranteed long-term contract, lower hauling costs, etc.
18.What are the top challenges affecting your ability to manage or market your forestland?
Rank your top 3, with 1 = biggest challenge.
1 = biggest challenge
2 = next biggest challenge
3 = third biggest challenge
Not a top 3 challenge
Low timber prices
Few or no buyers/mills nearby
Mill closures in my area
High logging or hauling costs
Lack of markets for low-value wood or residuals
Storm damage, salvage, or debris removal challenges
Wildfire risk or fuel-reduction costs
Succession or estate planning complexity
Workforce or logging-contractor shortages
Regulatory or permitting burden
Lack of information about available markets
Other (please specify): ______________
19.In the past 2 years, have you delayed or skipped a management practice (thinning, prescribed burn, harvest, regeneration, etc.) because of market conditions or cost?
20.How would you describe the difficulty of profitably operating or managing your forestland in today's market?
21.Is the current market situation or operating environment causing you to consider alternative uses for your land (e.g., selling, subdividing, converting to non-forest use)?
22.Overall, how optimistic are you about the future of forest markets in your area over the next 5 years?
Very optimistic
Somewhat optimistic
Neutral / unsure
Somewhat pessimistic
Very pessimistic
23.How willing are you to try new or unfamiliar approaches to managing or marketing your forestland (e.g., new wood/fiber markets, new technology, new buyers) if given the right information and support?
Section D — About You and Your Land
24.What state is your forestland primarily located in?
(Select all that apply)
25.What county (or counties) is your forestland located in?
26.Approximately how many total acres of forestland do you currently own or manage?
Select one
27.How would you best describe this forestland ownership?
28.How long have you or your family owned this forestland?
29.Do you expect this land to remain in your family's or current ownership's hands over the next generation?
30.What best describes the forest type(s) on your land?
Select all that apply
31.Is anyportion of your forestland currently certified under a third party forest certification program?
Select all that apply
32.Are you a memeber of any forestry related association or organizations?
Select all that apply
33.Would you be willing to participate in a follow-up conversation — such as a sub-regional roundtable or brief interview — about forest markets in your area?
34.At some point in the future, would you be willing to share location data about your forestland (e.g., GIS boundaries, maps, parcel ID) with FLF to help connect you with market opportunities? This information would remain confidential.
35.Would you like to be added to FLF's list of potential wood supply sources for future project developers?
36.Is there anything else about the challenges or opportunities you're facing that you'd like FLF to know?
Optional — Contact Information
Complete this section only if you're willing to be contacted for a follow-up conversation, roundtable, or to receive updates on this project. Contact information will not be shared outside FLF/FLA without your permission.
37.Please provide: Name, Organization (if applicable), Email, Phone, and best way to reach you