December 2019
COVER STORY – Mississippi’s Rasberry and Rees Run J&D Timber – 
A mere eight miles separated the childhood homes of David Rees, 43, and Jonathan Rasberry, 42, when they were growing up, but they didn’t know each other then. It wasn’t until the summer after they both graduated, from different high schools in 1995, when they met after joining the same hunting camp. A friendship grew from their mutual passion for wild game.
By 2005, after five years working together for Scott Penn of Canton, Mississippi, Rees and Rasberry were ready to step out on their own. “Scott knew we wanted to do more,” Rasberry says. “He was willing to sell one of his crews, so we bought it.” They chose to name their company J&D Timber, LLC, from the initials of their first names, Jonathan and David.
In 2007 they split J&D into two crews, with each man supervising one job. A third crew followed in 2012. That was almost eight years ago when they last expanded the operation; would they consider adding a fourth crew now? “No, sir,” Rees says. “Not in today’s markets and labor pool.”
Article by David Abbott, Managing Editor, Southern Loggin’ Times
Southern Stumpin’: End Quotes
Here they are: my annual selections for my favorite quotes from Southern Loggin’ Times stories from throughout 2019. Enjoy, and while you’re at it, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you in 2020. Article by David Abbott, Managing Editor, Southern Loggin’ Times
New, Improved
Flint Construction and Forestry Division hosted an open house at its newest location, in Valdosta, Georgia, on November 8, 2019. The open-house drew nearly 100 people throughout the day. Article by Patrick Dunning, Associate Editor, Southern Loggin’ Times
Branching Out
Forester Jason Tew has been in the timber business since 1994. A graduate of Wayne Community College’s Forest Management Technology program, Tew has always been interested in the equipment and logging aspect of the timber industry. After years of being a timber buyer for others, Tew struck out on his own five years ago creating Neuse River Forest Products, a one-man timber buying entity with wood supply contracts throughout the timber rich North Carolina coastal plain region - including Enviva Biomass. Article by Jessica Johnson, Senior Associate Editor, Southern Loggin’ Times
Double Vision
Alabama Loggers Council Chairman Chris Potts has had to pull double duty this fall. The owner of Potts Logging just completed his year-long term as President of that other ALC, the American Loggers Council. It was thus his final responsibility in that position to help plan and host that group’s annual meeting in his home state. Article by David Abbott, Managing Editor, Southern Loggin’ Times
Bulletin Board
Short Inspirational Christmas Stories
Industry News Roundup
Georgia-Pacific Opens Warrenton Sawmill; As We See It: The Power of A Survey; 2020 Mid-South Show Set For August 21-22; Florida Post-Michael Gains Some Relief; Scientists Nationwide Endorse Wood Energy; Alamo Completes Purchase Of Morbark;
Safety Focus Special
Transmission lines and trees can be a recipe for danger on your work site, if you do not apply the correct precautions. Falling timber around transmission lines adds a new level of risk that many professional loggers may not realize. Submitted by Tennessee Valley Authority
