Hurricane Damaged Timber Overview

by Dr. Bill Stuart, Dr. Laurie Grace, and Mr. Lance Stewart
Department of Forestry, Mississippi State University


There is a lot of timber on the ground and damaged but still standing as a result of Hurricane Katrina. This timber represents wealth, jobs, and the future for Mississippians. Our first challenge is getting people, lives, and communities back together, but concern over salvaging as much of the wealth and promise this timber represents will soon come about.

Everyone recognizes that getting the salvage underway as quickly as possible will reduce the amount of the loss. Damaged timber is dangerous; dangerous to leave standing, dangerous to cut, and dangerous even after it is on the ground. Salvage operations are hard on people, equipment, the environment, tempers, and communities. But the salvage must go forward quickly and smoothly to preserve the value of the timber and prepare the land for the next forest.

We need to make certain that the salvage activities do not cause additional loss of life, livelihood, and wellbeing. We have about a six month window to complete the salvage for most species and most markets. Some species can stay fresh longer, and some markets tolerate more degrade, but that will depend on the fall and winter weather.

We are all in this together, the landowners, the loggers, and the consuming mills. Business cooperation among these three financial stakeholders will ensure Mississippi’s recovery and build a better future for all of us.

Hurricane Katrina Damaged Timber Overview – click here