Travis Timberlands

10/11/2026

Thanks to everybody that recently followed the Travis Timberlands page.
I hope to make you laugh but also to inform you of what I see in the timber and land markets.
Let me know what you would like to discuss and I will do my best.
Thanks to Jeff Seeley, Charles Meyling, Lawton Fowler, Jr., Barnett Ledbetter, Charles W. Clark, Justin Brooks Bullen, Josh Lee, John White, Jeff Duncan, Marianne Moore Carpenter and Kim Barton Austin for following my page.

10/10/2026

Timber on the ground. Now what?
This is where risk comes home to roost.
I have worked on Storm casualty losses far too many times and have some suggestions to help you start the recovery process in a very tough timber market.

1.) try to clear internal access roads where salvage opportunities will be enhanced. A Registered Forester can try to get your wood picked up and help in a casualty loss estimate, if they deal with cost basis, depletion and casualty losses to meet IRS guidelines.
2.) Dig up all your property records, timber cruises, stand records and maps then call your tax advisor who must be familiar with timber tax. www.timbertax.org is a good source of information.
3.) Keep good records of your expenses.
4.) Use extreme caution with chain saws. Many leaning/ bent trees will be under compression and can surely kill you. Safety gear is a must. ER’s will be full so make sure it isn’t you.
Call me if you have questions regarding timber salvage or tax reporting for casualty losses.
Thanks and good luck!

Ed Travis, RF
Consulting Forester
251-408-1467

10/09/2026

A church that follows scripture instead refining it to suit other agendas!
A church that wants you to come and visit!

Join us for Bible Study Sundays at 3 pm in the Education Building or Wednesdays at 12:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Both are taught by our Rev. Joe Moore.

10/01/2026

Teach them lessons that will last a lifetime. Reading and running compass lines, fire starting with steel and saw blade, basic field first aid, reading cloud and weather changes, field communications with no cell signal, shelter building, teaching respect for wild creatures and private property rights.
One never knows when these skills might be needed outside of the hunting woods.
It’s our job, let’s make sure we do it!

10/01/2026

Find a home at St. Mark!

Our Ladies Coffee Fellowship will be this coming Tuesday, October 6 at 10 am at Books a Million. We would love you to join us!

09/30/2026

2028 is a special year. Many long term timber leases are expiring and land owners are facing lands coming off a leased fee ownership back to fee.
I have worked on timber lease issues for many years and have always recommended that owners retain a qualified Consulting forester to aid the owner in what is left and what will happen when the gate is shut.
Some serious posturing is required in the last few years to insure that the company’s rights and obligations are understood and respected while the owner retains the property back free of the lease in a satisfied fashion.
Forest management, roads and infrastructure will now become the responsibility of the land owners.
Serious litigation on long term leases all over the country both small and very large have been caused by vague terms in 1960’s leases and lack of hand holding at lease termination.
Parties can conclude leases outside of the court room but only when knowledge, respect and fairness is put in the process during the last few years.
Call me if I can advise on how to work through these things for you.
Remember when it’s 88 and out the gate it is too late to start the go away process.
Please share with your friends and clients who may be facing this situation.
They can call me at 251-408-1467 and I can outline a process that might work for them.
Ed Travis, RF
Consulting Forester
Alabama & Mississippi

09/28/2026

Nothing better than an early fall road trip to check on a logging job near Orrville, then meeting with other clients on the Alabama River.
Fall foliage starting to show color change. Crossing through the pine lands of Clarke, Wilcox, Dallas and Marengo into and across the Alabama Black Belt.
Brief visit with old friend at Dayton and making it to Coffeeville to spend the night before heading back home the next day.
Only problem is dust, pollen and allergy issues that are a problem for me this time of the year.
Old friend used to say at our river camp BBQ events “Ain’t it Fine”. The more swamp water he partook the more he said it. We actually dropped his first name and just started calling him “Ain’t it fine”.
Many of y’all know him but I won’t identify him as he might have issues with the Alabama Bar Association for misconduct.

08/17/2026

Hard place to fight a wildfire. Pascagoula/Moss Point. Swamp fire burns underground better than above.
From the ignition pattern and smoke plume it looks like arson.
What do you think?