Money really does grow on trees, especially if those trees are on your property. You could be sitting on top of a gold mine if you have a few spare acres lying around. Timber and trees have made some in South Carolina millionaires. It’s a 17 billion dollar industry and the state’s largest employer.
Walt and Barbara McPhail own one of the largest tree farms in the state and last month the pair was named the nation’s tree farmers of the year. “Grandma said the first word out of my mouth was ‘leaf,” said Walt, who’s also a doctor.
With more than one thousand acres of upstate tree farms, it’s a renewable resource that’s fueled the American economy for centuries.
“The resources that were here when Columbus came, when the Indians were here and we have more trees now than we did in 1950,” said Walt.
The McPhails are one of hundreds of South Carolina families who sell trees to the timber industry. Now, the State Forestry Commission is giving other landowners a way to get in on the game.
From WISTV 10 News: https://www.wistv.com/story/19104439/south-carolinians-cashing-in-on-tree-farm-project