Biography

Jon R. Ingram graduated from Auburn University with a BS degree... Read more

PROFILE

In today’s fast-paced environment, Jon R. Ingram helps landowners slow down and think about their plans at the pace of trees.

“The first thing I ask is where they see themselves in relation to their land in 10 years and 20 years,” he said. “Understanding my clients’ needs is my top priority. Each choice they make will have ramifications that they’ll be looking at for many years.”

Ingram became interested in forestry when he was a young teenager and earned his Boy Scout forestry badge. After high school, Ingram graduated from Auburn University with a BS degree in forest management and began his career as a field forester for Resource Management Service. After two-and-a-half years, he became a hardwood procurement forester at Buchanan Lumber in Birmingham for seven years. Since 1988, Ingram has been a consulting forester based in Thorsby, Alabama, specializing in managing private landowner timber. He is a registered forester in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi and a real estate broker with Cyprus Partners. He has worked all over the southeast from Texas and Oklahoma to West Virginia.

Ingram offers a full range of land management services, but said that his seven years buying furniture grade hardwood at Buchanan Lumber gives him additional expertise on growing and marketing hardwoods. Another area of his expertise is knowing what to do with tracts of hardwood timber. He also provides valuable insight to a landowner who wants to leave a beautiful tract of mature hardwood for the next generation.

“Most of the time I can tell you what a tree on the stump will look like inside, and whether it will be a good tree or a bad one,” he said. “I take pride in helping clients make decisions they’ll be happy with down the road. I can look over a young hardwood stand and know if it will yield a good harvest in 45 years, or if the landowner would be better served to cut and replant trees better suited for that land.”

In addition to his career in forestry, Ingram is a member of the Alabama Forest Owners’ Association and the only active forester on its board of directors. He currently is serving as treasurer.

“I’ve been working with the AFOA almost as long as the AFOA has been in business,” he explained. “I started working with organization about two years after Lee (Laechelt) started the AFOA.”

That merit badge Ingram earned as a teenager meant more to Ingram than just a career. He has passed along his knowledge to other Boy Scouts as an active scout, volunteer and leader for more than 50 years. He also volunteers with Chilton Baptist Builders, going on their annual mission trips for the past 25 years. When he’s not working or volunteering his time, Ingram enjoys wood working.

“I don’t do anything commercial, just little custom-type projects,” he said. “Right now I’m working with a guy on desk. I’ll build tables, lamps or whatever suits my fancy.”

Seeking clients in these counties:
Autauga
Bibb
Chilton
Coosa
Dallas
Elmore
Hale
Jefferson
Perry
St. Clair
Shelby
Talladega
Tallapoosa
Tuscaloosa
Walker

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