I think the saying goes, the best time to plant a tree is today or 20 years ago. I have a few properties with extra unused land. Does anybody know what the best tree would be to plant that could produce the best profit in 30 years?

A great question.

Depending on the amount of growing space I'm currently working on a system I call "every square foot" in which I am trying to turn that extra square footage on lots into cash.

All conditions vary, of course.

* Remove all dead, diseased or "bad" trees and bushes.Sell any firewood produced or use it. Slab up any thing you can - make a deal with someone that has a sawmill.Sell the slabs.

* Do some research and see what grows best in your area and sells best at your local farmers markets and restaurants.

*Decide what crop/s to plant. I don't like to do all of one thing on a lot because if bugs or disease or ??? happens, I don't want to lose everything.

*Aside from regular vegetables you can sell at the farmers market or to local restaurants (if it is allowed), maybe consider some more exotic stuff, depending on your area (ginsing, morel mushrooms, garlic -- stuff like that.) Don't allow or waste time growing marijuana, even if it's legal there -- too many problems and criminals. Not worth it.

*Talk to the local agricultural extension regarding what grows best, and the details.

* When you rent a place, it only includes a small yard around the place for the tenants use. Size varies. The rest of the land is for production of a "crop".Include terms in your lease to cover this (access, etc).. Might have to make a deal on water.

*Get the tenant on board if you can. Maybe offer some of the crop if they watch the place.

*Expect to lose part of every crop. The better you get at it, the less you lose.

*Strongly consider making a deal with someone to tend, harvest and sell the crop (kids, agriculture students at school, etc). Better to give half away as compensation and not have to take too much time from your other interests. Of course, getting someone trustworthy is critical. This person should check the crop every day at each place. Applying water if needed, weeding, and all other stuff needed.

* Normal crops like vegetables should give you something to sell every year. Exotic crops might/will take longer.

* Oddball land(steep slope, heavily treed, etc. has some special stuff to consider. That's better addressed in another thread if you want to explore it).

*As an example: A friend grows microgreens, spinich, etc on a plot 30x40 feet. 2 years ago, they made $3000 in one summer selling these at the local farmers market. The land was in their backyard.

* Why wait 20-30+ years? Why not try to get cash flowing asap? With current instability going on around us, it might be a good thing to have extra sources of income. At least the govt can't place eviction moratoriums on vegetables (yet).

You might also consider starting a wholesale tree nursery. Closer spacing of the crop (trees). Sell to other nurserys.

Why wait 30 years? My original RE partner and I build an addition on a cabin for a gentleman about 13-14 years ago. He cut down several cherry trees off his property . (Hardwood, not fruit.). He got about $3,000 a tree. I don't know what they're worth now, but what about in 30 years?

If I could do 1-2,000 trees for an all in price of say $50 a tree, will they be worth $7-8,000 in 30 years?

How many acres, what's on it now, and would you treat it as an investment (which means it needs professional management)?

Xmas trees are work and low value, in my opinion. Unless you are starting a cut your own operation. It's a lot to weed treat, shear and they are prickly.

What grows in your area and how much work do you want to do?

Douglas fir for lumber grows strait and fast. If you go and limb them up high a couple times a year they can be sold to the plywood mills for better money than selling for 2X4s

You can grow fruit or nuts and those trees must be sprayed several times a year and there is labor to harvest the crop.

A cousin of mine supported his family with 5 acres. Organic vegetables but mostly dried flower arrangements sold at the farmer's market. You'd have to be close to a farmer's market in an area where people have disposable income.

Check with your local farm extension agent to see what is grown in your area for lumber.

PA is one of the states that is infested with Plum Cuculio which is going to make growing fruit more difficult. You would have to do a lot of spraying. Fruit growing friends there say you can forget about soft fruits (peaches, nectarines, etc.)

That might be enough land to grow wine grapes. That involves labor, too.

Pennsylvania has a wealth of wonderful information. Start with your county's service forester for the DCNR.

Look up the Penn State Center for Private Forrest web site for more information than you can possibly absorb.

If you are willing to wait until april, 2022, attend the Forest Landowner's Conference.

Penn State has numerous webinars with so much guidance.