Tornado damage in Ringgold and surrounding areas from April storms caused massive damage. (GPB photo-Edgar Treiguts)
James Johnson of the Georgia Forestry Commission estimates the 193,000 acres in lost trees is costing landowners nearly $88 million. He says that's the worst timber damage from natural disasters in Georgia ever recorded in a single year.
Efforts to salvage the damaged timber have resulted in a glut of wood at Georgia mills, driving down lumber prices that are already low as the construction industry struggles.
Tom Houston (HOUSE-ton) of Ludowici lost most of his 400 acres to a wildfire in March. He says he was lucky to make 20 cents for every dollar the trees would otherwise have been worth.
