Eddie and Linda Drayton are the owners of Cat Tail Tree Farm. Eddie is a retired forester and spends his retirement days as a tree farmer. As a man in his 80s, Eddie wakes up everyday excited for a new adventure on his farm and shares a little bit about his love for forestry as well as provides a bit of a background on how the surrounding area was discovered. Join Tom and Emily on this adventure as they talk with Eddie and Linda about the work they put into their beautiful property.
Key Takeaways:
[1:40] Tom shares a little bit about Eddie and Linda’s farm.
[2:15] As a professional forester, how did Eddie get into forestry?
[4:00] Eddie was originally going to be a dentist.
[6:35] Eddie shares how he got into tree farming and how he went about purchasing his first property.
[8:45] Linda is a 50% owner and Edide is a 100% worker.
[9:00] Linda shares her first impressions of the land when they finally bought it. It was definitely runned down.
[11:05] Eddie shares a little bit about the history of forestry in Society Hill.
[18:30] The United States saw a huge boom in cotton production in 1917 to provide uniforms to WW1 soldiers.
[20:45] How has timber farming evolved over the decades?
[26:55] Eddie bought this tree farm in the late 90s/early 2000s. He had a lot of work ahead of him.
[29:45] Eddie breaks down in detail some of the beautiful trees and foliage he has on his property.
[37:35] This property is now in its 6th generation of growing trees. Eddie’s spent a lot of time to get the tree more in harmony with nature and to make it appealing to wildlife.
[40:35] Eddie shares where he sees the future of his farm headed.
[44:05] Eddie has an easement on his property. What does that mean and what lessons can he share to other land owners?
[46:45] What you leave behind is really important.
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Tom and Emily meet with legacy tree farmer Pat Dorn, based in South Carolina, to learn more about his beautiful property and how he got into the business of planting trees! You’ll hear some background noise as Tom and Emily march through the wilderness with Pat as they uncover what makes Pat’s property so special.
Key Takeaways:
[1:35] You find Tom and Emily with legacy tree farm owner Pat as he does a tour of his property in South Carolina.
[2:40] How did Pat get into the tree farming business?
[4:50] Pat remembers fondly planting trees with his pa and how they were able to turn it into a profit.
[6:00] When Pat was in his early 20s, he bought the worst land available because he knew how to work the tree programs.
[6:40] After 40 years, these sub-par lands look fantastic now. Hard work pays off.
[7:40] Timberland is a long term investment that requires a long term mindset.
[8:40] Pat rents out his land to hunting groups, which further helps his return on investment.
[10:00] So many people want to have 50 or 100 acres in the country, but they’re not willing to do the work to care for the land.
[10:50] What lessons did Pat learn from his dad about the outdoors?
[12:50] Pat shares a little bit about his family and his three children.
[18:10] It’s important to keep your forester happy. The best money Pat has spent was on a consulting forestry company. There’s too much room for error in this business.
[19:50] When you have timberland, it’s also important to have a road system on your property. It pays off when people are coming to bring equipment in to chop the timber.
[22:50] Land is going to get more and more valuable in South Carolina.
[24:45] What should you think about when you're about to buy land?
[27:40] Pat explains the furniture he’s made over the years that’s located in his home.
[36:15] Don’t take advice from the average Joe, most of them don’t know anything! Find the most qualified expert, and then go ask them.
[39:55] Pat looks at his forester like he looks at his doctor. He’s trained. He knows his stuff.
[42:50] Why is it important to get into the tree business?
[45:20] Pat talks about his lovely wife Jane, her love, and her support. It’s hard to get anything done without the support of your spouse!
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Tom is on the road and interviewing Mike Meetze from South Carolina! Mike shares his heritage property with Tom and explains how the property has evolved over the years. Everything from growing Soybeans to cattle to now timber. Mike has been on the tractor since he was eight years old, but he is actually an engineer by trade. Take a journey with Mike as he walks you through his property on this week’s episode!
Key Takeaways:
[1:40] Tom is recording from the road. Come join him on an adventure in South Carolina!
[2:10] How did Mike first acquire his farm?
[3:30] Mike’s property used to grow soybeans and wheat in the ’80s. Now it grows timber. How did Mike and his family make that transition?
[4:25] Mike shares a little bit about his wife, Lucy Anne, and how she got into agriculture.
[7:50] Mike talks about his family heritage and how his father bought his first property.
[13:40] Mike has a pesticide license and is able to take care of his trees more effectively. He also performs controlled burns on his property.
[18:10] Mike has four sons! Two are both professional engineers like Mike and his father and the other two are in education. He also has four grandchildren.
[24:15] How often does Mike do controlled burns?
[28:40] Mike shares a special moment he had with his grandson and the joys of working on the land with his family.
[31:40] What does the future have in store for Mike and his property?
[38:25] What kind of equipment does Mike use for his land?
[49:25] Mike shares how he knows when he’s cut a quality piece of timber or not.
[52:25] What’s Mike’s advice for landowners and tree farmers?
[54:40] Quick words of wisdom from Mike’s grandson.
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