Timber business booming throughout northeast Florida

(AP) — The towering grove of century-old longleaf pines surrounding Roger Ward's family home is a rare site in this verdant swath of north-central Florida — most pines here are cut and processed for profit as soon as their 15-to-18-year growth cycle is complete.

Dozens of lumber mills and pine straw, bark and wood pellet processing plants have sprung up in north Florida to take advantage of the unique soil composition, lengthy growing season and warm, moist climate in which pine trees thrive.

In a state where undeveloped real estate quickly gives way to neighborhoods, strip malls, hotels or amusement parks, this timber-rich part of Florida is unique.

"What you have here is an ideal location where the trees grow fast, there is political stability, excellent infrastructure and a solid workforce," Mende said from his office, which overlooks acres of processed wood awaiting shipment.

Nowadays Ward and his fellow Suwanee County farmers are turning to Brian Coble, the region's longtime state forestry manager, for his expertise on nurturing tree saplings to maturity and making sure they make the best use of their land.

The fresh smell of dog fennel sprouts, also known as wild chamomile, permeated the muggy mid-morning air as gnats and mosquitos buzzed over the young trees.