The Rhinelander Daily News - Online news and information for the Rhinelander, Wisconsin region

Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. announced last week the sale of approximately 100,000 acres of Wisconsin land, some in Oneida County.

The Forestland Group, LLC (TFG), a long-term timberland investment management organization, will take ownership of approximately 100,000 acres of Plum Creek's land primarily in Rusk, Sawyer and Oneida counties with small amounts of the acreage also spreading into Price, Langlade and Forest counties. The land is being sold in large-size timberland tracts.

With the purchase TFG will obtain its first Wisconsin timberlands. The organization currently owns timberland in 18 states, with its properties closest to Wisconsin being in Michigan. Once the sale is complete, Plum Creek will remain the largest private landowner in the state of Wisconsin, owning approximately 400,000 acres of timberland in the northern part of the state.

“We welcome Forestland Group as the newest member of a diverse, active and committed group of companies and individuals who make up Wisconsin's historic and important forest products industry,” said Lynn Wilson, General Manager of Plum Creek's Lake States Region.

The Forestland Group is the largest private owner of hardwood timberlands in the United States. The company controls 2.7 million acres of timberlands in the United States and Latin America. Prior to this acquisition, the company controlled approximately 500,000 acres in the Great Lakes States. The Forestland Group was the first TIMO in the world to have its entire portfolio Forest Stewardship Council certified.

“These lands are valuable timberlands that have been well-managed by Plum Creek, and this purchase gives us the opportunity to enter Wisconsin and participate in the state's forest products industry,” said Chris Zinkhan, managing director of TFG. “We look forward to helping grow and contribute to Wisconsin's economy and to serving Wisconsin customers in the coming years.”

Plum Creek is the largest and most geographically diverse private landowner in the nation, with 8.2 million acres of timberlands in major timber producing regions of the United States and 10 wood products manufacturing facilities in the Northwest. It owns forestland in 28 counties throughout the state and has offices in Tomahawk, Hayward and Wisconsin Rapids.

Tell us what you think...

Comments »

Oneida County Resident wrote on Apr 21, 2008 5:44 PM:

" I think The Forestland Group's purchase of this land is one of the best things that could've happened, it will keep the land open to hunter's as opposed to much of plum creek's other holdings that are being divided and sold into private ownership and posted. I am not a fan of Plum Creek or the way they manage their lands and hope they sell all land in this state to a more responsible company. I don't believe widespread clear-cutting is very beneficial to the land or the surrounding community. "

Jim Schafer wrote on Jan 23, 2008 11:43 AM:

" Lumber companies recieve tax benifits to keep land open for recreation by the public. Plus with the the reward of ownership they maintain a level of accountability for the resources they scavage. Were would America be without wood and wood products. Everyone has know about this for many years and has known it ever since the first million dollar home was constructed in cleared woodlands. "

concerned wrote on Jan 18, 2008 11:06 PM:

" okay, apart from the deer hunting culture of this state, you have to understand the impact this will have on the wisconsin bioregion. This kind of devastation has happened in wisconsin since the white captalists have discovered the monetary value of our land.
there are no old-growth forests left because of this.
we need to keep our woodlands!!
rewild it!!
"

William Washburn wrote on Jan 10, 2008 12:45 AM:

" As a probable adjacent land owner, can you show us the acreage that was sold and where it is? We live on Hwy C in the town of Piehl. "

Bernie Ronyak wrote on Jan 7, 2008 8:03 AM:

" I believe The Forestland Group will keep their property classified as Managed Forest Law (MFL) land; as there is a substantial tax savings. From the WDNR website: "On open land, permit public access for hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing, sight-seeing, and hiking." http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/ftax/mfl.htm "

James Fenske wrote on Jan 3, 2008 12:34 PM:

" I sincerely hope the new owners consider that deer hunting is a significant part of this region's economy. "

The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Rhinelander Daily News.