Cypress Creek Forestry Services

08/21/2026

I spent a little bit of time this afternoon looking at the ArcGIS Dashboard of wildfires in Arkansas today, making sure that none of the landowners I work with are being affected by wildfires.

Did you know that I keep a GIS database of the properties I manage for landowners?

It is more than just a map. The database helps me locate a property if I’m working in the area, keeps contact information for the landowner, and contains other information that can be useful when managing the property.

The information in my database is private and is only visible to me. It isn't a public map or database, and I don't share the property locations or landowner information.

One of the benefits is being able to keep track of properties that I work with. For example, just the other day I was visiting a property next to one of my landowners. That landowner had previously asked us to check on something, so since I was already in the area, we took a few minutes and checked on it.

It is just one more way that technology helps me take better care of the properties and landowners I work with.

Technology has come a long way from the notebook of paper maps behind the seat of the truck or the large-format maps tucked inside empty wrapping-paper rolls. Although, I’ll admit, I still have a few of those old maps around.

Sometimes the old ways still come in handy.

07/27/2026

Many of my clients are "remote" landowners or members of large families who own timberland together. As the years go by, those properties often pass from one generation to the next, get divided among heirs, and it's not unusual for some owners to have little idea what their timber is actually worth.

It's also common for landowners to receive letters, phone calls, or text messages from timber buyers wanting to purchase their timber. While many buyers are reputable, others may be hoping to purchase timber well below its true market value—or before the landowner has had the opportunity to understand what they own.

If you're ever considering selling timber, you don't have to navigate the process alone. A consulting forester works for you—not the timber buyer. We can determine the value of your timber, mark trees when appropriate, prepare a timber sale prospectus, market your timber to multiple qualified buyers, compare bids, administer the sale, and help ensure Arkansas Best Management Practices are followed throughout the harvest.

In many cases, professional representation pays for itself by creating competition among buyers and helping you avoid costly mistakes. If you're thinking about selling timber—or simply want to know what you have—I'd be glad to help.

Justin Mallett
Registered Forester
Cypress Creek Forestry Services
479-469-6341

07/22/2026

It may be a little too hot outside to be thinking about winter, but now is the time to start planning for this winter's prescribed burns.

Winter is when a lot (though not all) prescribed burning gets done, and burn schedules can fill up quickly. If you've been thinking about using prescribed fire on your property, it's a good idea to get on the list sooner rather than later.

Prescribed fire is an excellent management tool when it's done correctly. It can help reduce wildfire risk, improve access for planting and other forestry work, enhance wildlife habitat, and keep invasive and undesirable vegetation in check. Those are just a few of the many benefits.

If prescribed fire is part of your management goals, don't wait until the weather turns cold to start making plans. A little planning now can go a long way this winter.

While we don't conduct prescribed fires, we can direct you to those that do and give recommendations.

Justin Mallett
Arkansas Registered Forester
Cypress Creek Forestry Services, LLC

07/20/2026

𝑷𝙞𝒏𝙚...𝙣𝒐𝙩-𝙖-𝙥𝒊𝙣𝒆
We're starting a little series for learning a few Arkansas tree species.
Today's example:
𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐝-𝐜𝐲𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 --𝑇𝑎𝑥𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑢𝑚
Here we have a Bald-cypress in a typical wet location, with its classic swelled butt and plenty of cypress knees. While these deciduous conifers can grow in drier locations, they cannot do it while in competition with other trees.
Bald-cypress lose their feathery needles when many other deciduous trees lose their leaves, hence the name "bald", even though they are a conifer having cones and needles.
These big beauties can be harvested for lumber to be used in an outdoor setting as its rot-resistant.
Bald-cypress are considered to be among the some of longest living tree species, sometimes longer than 1000 years.
𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
Some information gathered from 𝒖𝒂𝒅𝒂.𝒆𝒅𝒖 .

07/16/2026

When is the best time to sell timber?

One of the biggest mistakes a landowner can make is assuming timber prices are always the same. They're not.

The value of your timber can change depending on:
• What local mills are buying and how much inventory they have.
• Weather conditions that affect logging operations.
• The overall economy and demand for wood products.
• The location of your property.
• The size of your property
• The quality of your access roads and whether logging equipment can reach the timber efficiently.

Sometimes waiting a few months—or even a year—can make a significant difference. Other times, market conditions may make it worthwhile to sell sooner rather than later. Every tract is different.

That's why it's important to have someone watching the market, understanding your timber, and helping you determine the right time to sell—not just the first time someone knocks on your door.

If you're considering selling timber, I'd be glad to evaluate your property, discuss current market conditions, and help you develop a plan that maximizes the value of your investment.

Growing the Value of Your Forest. Rooted in Stewardship.

Justin Mallett
Arkansas Registered Forester
Cypress Creek Forestry Services
479-469-6341

07/03/2026

Happy Independence Day!

If you're celebrating with fireworks, please keep safety in mind. Keep water nearby, supervise children, and make sure every spark is out before leaving the area.

It only takes one ember to start a wildfire. Let's protect the forests that provide us with clean water, wildlife habitat, and so many places to enjoy with our families.

Have a safe and blessed Fourth of July!

07/01/2026

Arkansas is now accepting applications for the Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program and the Southeast Arkansas Hardwood Reforestation Program.

If you have an overstocked pine stand that could benefit from a thinning, or you're considering planting hardwoods or removing standing dead pine timber in Southeast Arkansas, these cost-share programs may help offset some of the expense.

If either situation applies to you, now is a good time to see if you qualify.

Learn more and apply here:
https://agriculture.arkansas.gov/forests/forest-health/

06/29/2026

I stepped out of the office for a few minutes today to catch this C-130 Hercules flying over Mena.

While aircraft like this aren't uncommon in our part of Arkansas, today's flyover was part of the "𝐅𝐥𝐲 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐬" celebration commemorating America's 250th anniversary.

It was a great reminder that while we're privileged to spend our days caring for Arkansas's forests and working with landowners, there are men and women serving our country who help protect the freedoms we enjoy every day.

Grateful for our rural communities, our working forests, and those who serve.

God bless America.

05/26/2026

Coming up NEXT WEEK!

Register Now to Attend the Arkansas Tree Farm Conference. June 5th at the Fordyce Civic Center.
https://www.arkforests.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2058569

04/15/2026

Attending the Quarterly Arkansas Tree Farm Committee meeting today at Arkansas Forestry Association/AFA Education Foundation. There's a lot of discussion and learning going on.

Stay tuned to landowner programs and education in the future!