TreeLines Blog

Select A Date

Stories from the Field

After the Storm: Replanting for Generations in Wayne County, Georgia

For Brad Henslin, owning forestland was a significant investment – in both financial terms and what he hopes the land will become. As a first-generation forest landowner, purchasing his 185 acres in Wayne County, Georgia, meant taking on risk and stretching financially. His long-term goal is clear: keep the land forested in perpetuity. To do that, he believes future stewards need to understand how to make forestry economically sustainable. Choosing pine genetics is one part of that equation. “Educating the next generation in how to make it economically sustainable is the KEY to longevity,” Brad says. When Hurricane Helene damaged his forest, those goals helped guide his decision to replant with ArborGen.

Stories from the Field

Seedling Choices That Fit the Land: Why Will Tulloss Chooses ArborGen

For consulting forester Will Tulloss, choosing seedlings is a decision shaped by the property, the landowner’s goals, and the future of the stand. Each planting calls for a recommendation that fits the client – and having a range of genetics to choose from helps him deliver that personalized approach. Will, President of Mazur & Tulloss Associates LLC, has worked with ArborGen since 2017. What keeps him coming back is a combination of seedling quality, product choices, and attentive service. “Hard to beat the quality and service you get with ArborGen,” he says.

TreeLines Blog

Better Decisions for Better Forests: Why Good Management Matters in Challenging Times

 With timber markets facing uncertainty, many landowners are evaluating ways to reduce costs. Dr. Patrick Cumbie explains why thoughtful planning, sound silviculture, and improved genetics remain essential investments for long-term forest productivity and value.

Best Practices

The Top 5 Replanting Mistakes Landowners Make (and How to Get It Right the First Time)

Replanting is one of the most important decisions a landowner will make, but it’s also where costly mistakes happen. Here are five of the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Best Practices

How Genetics Shape Your Timber ROI: The Long-Term Financial Impact of Better Trees

Your return on investment doesn’t start at harvest; it starts with the genetics you plant. The right seedlings can mean faster growth, better stem quality, and more high-value timber over time.

Best Practices

The Mighty Majestic White Oak

From wildlife habitat to bourbon barrels, White Oak trees play an important role across forests, landscapes, and industries. Learn why this iconic hardwood species remains one of the most valuable and admired trees in the eastern United States.

TreeLines Blog

Why Knowing Your Seed Source Matters

The quality of a seedling starts long before it reaches the nursery. From orchard management and genetic selection to pollination and chain of custody, understanding where your seedlings come from can make all the difference in long-term forest performance.

Best Practices

“There’s No Way Those Tons Per Acre Are Real”… Right?

“There’s no way you can grow that many tons per acre.” It’s a reaction ArborGen hears often when discussing advanced genetics. In this article, we address the skepticism head-on and explain why modern forestry genetics are reshaping what’s possible for timberland productivity and long-term ROI.

Best Practices

How Genetics Shape Your Timber ROI: The Long-Term Financial Impact of Better Trees

Your return on investment doesn’t start at harvest; it starts with the genetics you plant. The right seedlings can mean faster growth, better stem quality, and more high-value timber over time.

Showing 1-3 of 3

Welcome to TreeLines

Welcome to the TreeLines Podcast by ArborGen – your trusted source for expert insights on forestry, reforestation, and land management. Each episode brings you conversations with industry professionals, foresters, landowners, and researchers who are shaping the future of sustainable forestry. From selecting the right seedlings to understanding timber markets, improving stand productivity, and maximizing long-term return on investment, TreeLines is designed to help you make informed, confident decisions for your land.

Meet Your Host: Paul Jeffreys, PhD

Host Paul Jeffreys is your boots-on-the-ground guy and dives into topics like seedling selection, genetics, silviculture, habitat creation, tree farming and what it takes to be a steward of the land. TreeLines goes deep into the roots of the fascinating world of growing trees.

TreeLines Podcast

Conversations on Reforestation, Silviculture, Tree Genetics, Planting, Planning and More! Join us as we go deep with forestry experts and explore the art and science of trees.

How do you plan for the next rotation when the markets around you are changing?

In this episode of the TreeLines Podcast, Dr. Paul Jeffreys sits down with Steven Peter, President of South Paw Forest Products, Inc., and ArborGen Reforestation Advisor Dr. Austin Heine for a conversation about connecting today’s planting decisions with tomorrow’s timber markets.

Steven has experienced forestry from nearly every angle—as a forester, logger, landowner, and business owner working closely with mills. Drawing on his experience in eastern Virginia, he explains how pulpwood market challenges and changing harvesting realities have led him to rethink planting density, focus on sawtimber, and experiment with wider spacing.

Dr. Heine connects those practical experiences to tree improvement, explaining why genetics matter when planting fewer trees and how stand design can support landowners’ long-term goals.

Topics covered include:

• Changing pulpwood markets and the challenges surrounding first thinnings.

• Understanding nearby mills and the products they need.

• Steven’s experience planting 300 trees per acre.

• The relationship between planting density, genetics, and sawtimber potential.

• Balancing timber production with wildlife, aesthetics, and recreation.

• Helping families keep their land in timber.

• Staying informed and involved through forestry associations.

Whether you’re planning your next planting or thinking through the future of an existing stand, this conversation offers a practical look at adapting your approach as conditions change.

Resources & Links