Green Diamond is a REIT (real estate trust)like many publicly traded large timber companies. While Green Diamond is not publicly traded, the same tax rules apply. Those tax advantages really do not promote vertically integrated companies that own timberland and processing facilities together like back in the old days. The uncoupling of the land base from the mills usually doesn't work out so well for the mills. Unfortunately they are also do not promote landowners investing back in the land like they used to do either. Rotation ages shave dropped on many lands owned by REITS and the land often changes owners more frequently.

In my opinion, the REITS have not been a good thing for promoting good forestry or stable communities due to the short sided nature of how they function. Luckily there are many smaller and mid sized privately held companies who are either solely timberland owners, or are vertically integrated who still believe in investing in the land, the mills, and associated communities.