Watts Logging Inc. owner Jason Watts, 37, knows what too much of a good thing can sometimes be. As an operator focusing primarily on first thinnings, it’s good for him that pulpwood demand remains steady. Unfortunately, as with so many cruel ironies of the logging business, a good market for pulpwood can also spell trouble for pulpwood producers. The market gets glutted quickly as mills find too many eager suppliers. In February, Watts said his primary mill outlet was only 20 minutes from the job site, but trucks were facing better than three-hour turnarounds. “It’s backed up like a soup line,” he says. “I knew it was gonna happen. The building side is no good so everybody is cutting pulpwood.”

Featured Story: “Hot and Cold”

Written By: David Abbott
Company: Watts Logging, Inc.
Location: Brookhaven, Mississippi
SLT Issue: May 2011

Check out other featured articles in the May 2011 issue of Southern Loggin’ Times magazine.
In the May issue of Southern Loggin’ Times, Georgia’s Dennis Carey is featured for successfully crafting a multi-faceted timber operations business. Also featured this month is Jason Watts, who discusses the ups and downs of the pulpwood market. This issue includes a list of exhibitors  for the 2011 In-Woods Expo, which will be held May 19-21 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Also, the Longleaf saga continues with the next excerpt from the booklet Longleaf Pine: A History Of Man And A Forest.