Authored by: Aubrey Pawlikowski When Georgians woke on the morning of Sept. 27, they were greeted not by the usual gentle rustle of pines but by an eerie silence. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, sprawling forests that once stood as symbols of resilience and prosperity lay broken and quiet. The historic storm carved a destructive path across the state, forcing Georgia’s forestry community to confront a monumental challenge: $1.28 billion in timber losses spanning 8.9 million acres. For landowners, the losses are not just financial—they’re generational. Yet amid the heartbreak, a coalition of experts is stepping forward, armed with resources, guidance, and the promise of recovery. Through a unified effort involving the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), and UGA Cooperative Extension, the state’s forestry community is rallying to rebuild stronger than ever. The Immediate Aftermath A damaged pine stand in Hazlehurst, Georgia, bears the scars of Hurricane Helene's powerful winds. (Photo courtesy of the Georgia Forestry Association) The scale of Helene’s destruction is staggering. “Older, more mature trees bore the brunt of the damage,” said Dr. Bruno Da Silva, an assistant professor at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, who contributed to GFC’s Timber Damage Assessment. Georgia is home to 26 million acres of forestland—two-thirds of which is privately owned. Within Helene’s path alone, nearly 8.9 million acres of forestland were affected. The storm’s impact is particularly significant given the forestry industry’s vital role in the state’s economy, contributing $42 billion annually. Forestry accounts for half of the agroforestry sector, which remains Georgia’s largest economic driver. The UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Impact Report highlights the critical role of Georgia’s forests in the state’s economy and recovery efforts, with forest products contributing significantly to the agroforestry sector’s total impact. The full report is available at extension.uga.edu. In addition to their economic contributions, Georgia’s forests serve as an environmental powerhouse, sequestering 1.5 billion metric tons of carbon annually—offsetting 8% of the state’s carbon dioxide emissions. Using advanced remote sensing tools and Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) data, GFC worked swiftly to provide decision-makers with accurate damage estimates. “The faster we work, the faster policymakers can act in favor of landowners affected by Helene,” Da Silva explained. Yet even with cutting-edge technology, assessing storm damage required boots on the ground. As soon as weather conditions improved, GFC foresters conducted 2,800 field observations to confirm the $1.28 billion in losses—a sobering figure that underscores the storm’s severity. Urgency Meets Complexity For many landowners, time was of the essence. Salvaging timber is a race against the clock. Dr. David Dickens of Warnell explained the tight timeline: “For saw timber, it needs to be out of the woods and into a mill within eight weeks, or else blue stain fungi sets in,” Dickens said. Blue stain fungi significantly devalues timber, turning a salvageable resource into a financial loss. Adding to the complexity was the state’s timber market, where oversupply from storm-damaged timber drove down prices, compounding challenges for landowners. “It’s a tough reality for landowners—salvaging timber after a storm is not just about what you can save, but also how quickly you can act,” Dickens emphasized. Collaboration in Action Dr. David Dickens speaks to attendees during the Post-Hurricane Helene Workshop in Lake Park, Georgia, on Dec. 10, 2024. (Photo by Nick Fuhrman/Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources) Recovery after a storm like Helene demands a coordinated effort, and the Warnell outreach team rose to the challenge. Their mission: to support landowners, train foresters, and provide vital resources to help Georgia’s forestry community tackle the immense task ahead. The team—Dr. David Clabo, Dr. David Dickens, Dr. Yanshu Li, and Dr. Elizabeth McCarty—immediately got to work, developing materials, sharing expertise, and organizing training sessions to address the storm’s widespread impact. On Oct. 22, Dr. Dickens, Dr. Clabo, and Dr. Yanshu Li hosted a post-hurricane training session for GFC foresters. Designed as a train-the-trainer program, it covered topics such as hurricane-related damage assessment, lean tree management, reforestation strategies, and taxation guidance. In the weeks that followed, Warnell faculty participated in four regional meetings hosted by GFC and the Georgia Forestry Association (GFA), where they answered questions, shared expertise, and provided guidance to landowners and foresters navigating the recovery process. Dr. McCarty also offered direct support to GFC foresters, addressing critical post-hurricane forest health challenges. Warnell faculty also played a crucial role in assessing the storm’s impact. The Timber Impact Assessment survey documented widespread damage, guiding recovery efforts and policy decisions. Faculty contributions included consultation, review, and direct involvement in GFC’s data collection and analysis from: Dr. Pete Bettinger, professor of landscape planning and harvest scheduling Dr. Chad Bolding, professor and Langdale Endowed Chair in Forest Business Dr. Bronson Bullock, professor of forest biometrics and Plantation Management Research Cooperative director Dr. Bruno Da Silva, assistant professor of forest finance Erin Lincoln, director of the Langdale Center for Forest Business Jeffrey Todd Petty, dean of the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources But perhaps the most impactful part of their efforts was the series of workshops held across the state’s hardest-hit regions. Organized in partnership with GFC and UGA Extension, these sessions connected landowners with resources, advice, and support. Workshops tackled urgent topics like salvage operations, reforestation options, and tax guidance while fostering a sense of community among those affected. “Workshops build community—landowners connect with forestry consultants, seedling companies, and peers, creating lasting support networks,” said Dr. McCarty. Tailored Solutions for Recovery Workshops went beyond immediate salvage efforts, also offering guidance on long-term recovery and reforestation strategies. For landowners with unsalvageable stands, Dickens outlined practical, cost-effective approaches: “For smaller landowners, aerial herbicide applications followed by prescribed burns are often the most economical way to prepare for replanting,” he said. With seedling shortages on the horizon, experts urged landowners to secure planting resources early. “It’s not just about cleaning up—it’s about planning for the next generation of trees,” McCarty added. Dickens also emphasized the importance of building a relationship with a registered forester long before disaster strikes. “Having a trusted, local, registered forester is invaluable after events like Helene,” he explained. “They have connections to loggers, prep crews, and nurseries, and they know your land—its resources, challenges, and the solutions that will work best for you and your property.” Stories of Resilience A snapped pine tree stands as a stark reminder of Hurricane Helene's impact in Valdosta, Georgia. (Photo courtesy of the Georgia Forestry Association) For landowners like James Gillis IV, the storm’s devastation went beyond financial loss. For years, Gillis had actively managed an 80-year-old mixed stand of slash and longleaf pine, cultivating it as a legacy for his family. Helene uprooted that dream in an instant. “One storm can change everything,” Dickens recalled Gillis saying during a consultation. “But with the right guidance, there’s a path forward.” Workshops also proved vital for landowners adjusting to the challenges ahead. “I had low expectations going into today but learned so much new information—the leaning trees, the insect problems, very interesting stuff that will impact my property moving forward,” said William T. Stone, a forest landowner affected by the storm. A Forward-Looking Approach As the state continues to recover, experts are applying lessons from past storms like Hurricane Michael to improve response strategies. Dr. McCarty stressed the importance of proactive research and communication: “What we learn now will improve our response to future storms,” she said. “Our experience with Hurricane Michael has given us clearer insights on what to advise landowners to watch for.” The message for landowners is simple yet essential: recovery is a journey, but it’s one that can be navigated with the right support. “Small problems are easier to manage than large ones,” McCarty advised. “Keep an eye on your stands and reach out for help—it’s a long road, but we’re walking it together.” Through their dedication and collaboration, the Warnell outreach team has become a cornerstone of recovery efforts, showing landowners and foresters that resilience is not just about rebuilding—it’s about fostering community and working together toward a stronger, more prepared future for Georgia’s forests. Additional resources and publications: Storm preparation and recovery Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Outreach Resources UGA Extension Weather Emergencies Hurricane Helene specific reports Timber Impact Assessment - Georgia Forestry Commission Hurricane Helene Report -UGA Extension Cover photo provided courtesy of Georgia Forestry Association.
