In the past owning a forest was the privilege of large landowners and aristocrats. Then,insurance companies,pension funds and share trusts discovered forestry as an investment. But now an increasing number of private individuals are opting to own a piece of woodland. In Sweden,for example,it has developed into a full blown trend. Although the business of forestry is not immune to the downturn in the global economy,it is a reliable form of investment in uncertain economic times like these.