For consulting forester Mark Barnett, a love of the outdoors and a passion for stewardship have guided a lifelong career in forestry. After earning his degree in Forest Management and a master’s in Economics from Auburn University, Mark began his career with Hammermill Paper Company in central Alabama. When Hammermill was later acquired by International Paper, he saw an opportunity to take a different path—one that allowed him to work directly with landowners and stay connected to the land itself. In 1987, he and his brother, Jay, founded Fall Line Forestry, which has been serving landowners across eastern Alabama—from Eufaula up to the state’s northeast corner—ever since.
Fall Line Forestry provides full-service forest management, handling everything from planting bare ground to harvesting mature timber. The firm specializes in representing landowners during timber sales—whether thinning or clear cuts—ensuring a well-executed harvest and the best possible return. They also perform timber inventories and cruises with an emphasis on accuracy and integrity.
For Barnett, the rewards go far beyond the numbers. “I enjoy being outdoors,” he says. “There’s always something new to discover—wildlife, unexpected tree species, or a massive old tree that no one’s seen in decades. The surprises never stop.”
—Capital Ideas, December 2025