Supplement No. 15 dated May 20, 2009

FILED PURSUANT TO
RULE 424 (B) (3)
REGISTRATION NO: 333-129651

WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC

SUPPLEMENT NO. 15 DATED MAY 20, 2009

TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED DECEMBER 14, 2007

This document supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, our prospectus dated December 14, 2007, as supplemented by Supplement No. 14 dated April 23, 2009, relating to our offering of up to 85,000,000 shares of common stock. Defined terms used in this supplement have the same meanings as set forth in the prospectus. The purpose of this supplement is to disclose:

 

   

the status of our initial public offering;

 

   

information regarding our indebtedness;

 

   

“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” similar to that filed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2009, filed on May 12, 2009; and

 

   

our unaudited financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as filed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 12, 2009.

Status of Our Initial Public Offering

As of May 14, 2009, we had received aggregate gross offering proceeds, net of discounts, of approximately $156.3 million from the sale of approximately 15.7 million shares in our initial public offering. As of May 14, 2009, approximately 59.3 million shares remained available for sale to the public under our initial public offering, exclusive of shares available under our distribution reinvestment plan. Our initial public offering will terminate on August 11, 2009.

Information Regarding Our Indebtedness

As of May 14, 2009, our leverage ratio, or the ratio of total debt to total purchase price of timber assets plus cash and cash equivalents, was approximately 62%. As of May 14, 2009, our debt-to-net assets ratio, defined as total debt as a percentage of our total assets (other than intangibles) less total liabilities, was approximately 195%. As of May 14, 2009, we had total outstanding indebtedness of approximately $254.1 million, which consisted of $204.7 million outstanding under a first mortgage loan, which we refer to as the Senior Loan, in the original principal amount of $212.0 million with CoBank, ACB, which we refer to as CoBank, and $49.4 million outstanding under a second mortgage loan, which we refer to as the Mezzanine Loan, in the original principal amount of $160.0 million with Wachovia Bank, National Association, or Wachovia. Both the Senior Loan and the Mezzanine Loan were entered into in October 2007 in connection with our acquisition from MeadWestvaco Corporation, which we refer to as MeadWestvaco, of certain timberland and long-term leasehold interests in timberland, along with associated mineral rights and other related assets, which we refer to as the Mahrt Timberland or, in the prospectus, as the South Central Timberland.

 

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 incorporated by reference into the prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified with the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” or similar words. Actual results may differ from those described in forward-looking statements. For a discussion of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated see “Risk Factors” in the prospectus and Supplement No. 14 dated April 23, 2009.

Overview

We were formed on September 27, 2005 to acquire and operate a diversified portfolio of timberland properties located in the timber-producing regions of the United States and, to a limited extent, in other countries. We generate a substantial majority of our revenue and income by selling the rights to access land and harvest timber to third parties pursuant to supply agreements and through open-market sales, from selling higher and better use timberlands, or HBU, and leasing land-use rights to third parties. We also generate additional revenues and income from selling the rights to extract natural resources from timberland other than timber. A substantial portion of our timber sales are derived from a master stumpage agreement and a fiber supply agreement, which we refer to as the Timber Agreements, under which we sell to MeadWestvaco specified amounts of timber subject to market pricing adjustments. The initial term of the Timber Agreements is from October 9, 2007 through December 31, 2032, subject to extension and early termination provisions. We have no paid employees and are externally advised and managed by Wells Timberland Management Organization, LLC, which we refer to as Wells TIMO, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Capital, Inc., or Wells Capital.

We began receiving investor proceeds from the sale of our common stock under this offering in May 2007. On July 11, 2007, we raised our minimum offering of $2.0 million, and thus commenced operations. We began acquiring timber assets in October 2007. On July 11, 2008, we entered into a master purchase agreement with Wells TIMO, Wells-DFH Timberland Nr.88 GmbH & Co. KG, a German closed-end fund, which we refer to as the 2008 Fund, and Deutsche Fonds Holding AG, a corporation organized under the laws of Germany, or DFH. On April 8, 2009, we entered into an amended and restated master purchase agreement, which we refer to as the Amended Master Purchase Agreement, with Wells TIMO, DFH, the 2008 Fund and Wells-DFH Materia Nr.88 GmbH & Co. KG, a German closed-end fund, which we refer to as the 2009 Fund. Pursuant to the Amended Master Purchase Agreement, we have agreed to sell up to 53.8 million shares of our common stock to the 2009 Fund, at a price per share of $9.30, for an aggregate purchase price of up to $500.0 million, which we refer to as the German Offering. We continued receiving investor proceeds under this offering and our German Offering, which we refer to as the Offerings, through March 31, 2009. Thus, the results of our operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 are indicative of an early-stage enterprise with growing revenues and expenses associated with the acquisition of timber assets, interest expense associated with debt financing on the acquisition of timber assets, and general and administrative expenses that represent a high percentage of total revenues but are decreasing as the enterprise grows. As of March 31, 2009, we have raised gross offering proceeds of approximately $149.3 million through the issuance of our common stock and approximately $42.8 million through the issuance of our preferred stock.

Our most significant risks and challenges include our ability to raise a sufficient amount of equity that will allow us to repay the loans associated with the Mahrt Timberland acquisition and to further diversify our portfolio of timber assets. To the extent that significant funds are not raised, we may not be able to repay the loans or achieve sufficient diversification to guard against the general economic, industry-specific, financing, and operational risks generally associated with individual investments.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

We began to sell shares of our common stock to the public under this offering in May 2007 and to the 2008 Fund under our German Offering in July 2008. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we raised proceeds under our this offering, net of commissions, dealer-manager fees and other offering costs, of approximately $13.6 million, substantially all of which was used to pay down debt associated with the acquisition of the Mahrt Timberland in October 2007. The majority of the purchase price for the Mahrt Timberland was indirectly financed through the Senior Loan and the Mezzanine Loan. The remaining purchase price for the Mahrt Timberland was financed through the issuance of approximately $32.1 million of preferred stock to Wells Real Estate Funds, Inc, or Wells REF.

All of the proceeds raised under our Offerings, net of fees, expenses and redemptions of our common stock due to death and qualifying disability, are required to be used to service the Mezzanine Loan, which currently incurs interest at a rate of 11.0%. On March 30, 2009, we amended the Mezzanine Loan to extend the maturity date from September 30, 2009 to April 30, 2010. In addition, we are required to make principal reduction payments on the Mezzanine Loan on June 30, 2009, September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009, reducing the outstanding principal balance to an amount not greater than $45.0 million, $30.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively. On April 30, 2010, all outstanding principal, interest, and any fees or other obligations on the Mezzanine Loan will be due and payable in full. As of April 30, 2009, the outstanding principal balance on the Mezzanine Loan was approximately $49.4 million. Net cash flows generated from our operations, including proceeds received from the sale of timber and timberland less a working capital reserve, are required to be used to service the Senior Loan, which matures on September 9, 2010. Once the Mezzanine Loan is repaid in full, future proceeds raised under our Offerings, net of fees, expenses and redemptions of common stock, are required to be used to repay the Senior Loan until achieving a 40% loan-to-collateral value ratio.

The Senior Loan and Mezzanine Loan contain restrictive covenants that prohibit us from declaring, setting aside funds for, or paying any dividend, distribution, or other payment to our stockholders while the Senior Loan and Mezzanine Loan are outstanding. As a result, we will be unable to make any payments or distributions to our stockholders until the Mezzanine Loan is repaid in full and after reduction of the Senior Loan to a 40% loan-to-collateral value ratio. Once the Mezzanine Loan has been repaid in full and the Senior Loan reduced to a loan-to-collateral value ratio of 40%, future proceeds raised from the sale of our shares under our Offerings will be deemed available for investment in timberland and related assets, and future operating cash flows will be deemed available for distribution to stockholders. In addition to those restrictive covenants discussed above, the Senior Loan and Mezzanine Loan require us to maintain a minimum debt service coverage ratio, as defined by the credit agreement, of 1.60:1.00 during 2009; and 1.70:1.00 through their respective maturity dates.

We anticipate that our primary sources of future capital will be derived from the sale of our common stock under our Offerings and from operations through the sale of timberland and rights to access our land and harvest our timber to MeadWestvaco and other third parties.

 

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Following the settlement of the Mezzanine Loan and Senior Loan, the amount of cash available for distribution to stockholders and the level of distributions declared will depend primarily upon the amount of cash generated from our operating activities, our determination of funding needs for near-term capital and other debt service requirements, and our expectations of future cash flows.

Short-Term Liquidity and Capital Resources

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we raised proceeds from the sale of common stock under our Offerings, net of commissions and dealer-manager fees, of approximately $13.8 million, which was used to pay down the Mezzanine Loan by approximately $11.7 million and to fund interest expense on the Mezzanine Loan. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, we generated net proceeds from the sale of timberland of approximately $4.5 million, approximately $3.7 million of which was used to pay down the Senior Loan and approximately $0.8 million of which was used to fund a working capital reserve. Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was approximately $3.6 million, which is primarily comprised of receipts from timber and timberland sales, and rental income from recreational leases in excess of operating costs, interest expense, asset and forestry management fees, and general and administrative expenses. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, net cash used in investing activities was approximately $1.4 million, which included approximately $1.0 million of net funds invested in escrow accounts required by lenders and approximately $0.4 million invested in timber, timberland, and related assets. We expect to utilize the residual cash balance of approximately $4.6 million as of March 31, 2009 to satisfy current liabilities.

Long-Term Liquidity and Capital Resources

Over the long-term, we expect our primary sources of capital to include proceeds from the sale of our common stock, proceeds from secured or unsecured financings from banks and other lenders, and net cash flows from operations. We expect our principal demands for capital to include funding future acquisitions of timberland, either directly or through investments in joint ventures; capital improvements for such timberland; offering-related costs; operating expenses, including interest expense on any outstanding indebtedness; and distributions.

On February 3, 2009, we filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, to register 220.9 million shares of common stock, of which 200.0 million shares are to be offered in a primary offering for $10.00 per share and 20.9 million shares of common stock are to be offered under our distribution reinvestment plan for $9.55 per share. We have not issued any shares under this registration statement as it has not been declared effective by the SEC. We do not expect to commence an offering under this registration statement until the earlier of the date that we sell all the shares available for sale in our current offering or August 11, 2009.

In determining how and when to allocate cash resources in the future, we will initially consider the source of the cash. Once the Mezzanine Loan is repaid in full and after reduction of the Senior Loan to a 40% loan-to-collateral value ratio, we anticipate using cash generated from operations, after payments of periodic operating expenses, interest expense and certain capital expenditures required for our timberland, to pay distributions to stockholders. Therefore, to the extent that cash flows from operations are lower, distributions are anticipated to be lower as well. However, in addition to net cash flows from operations, we may periodically borrow funds on a short-term basis to fund distributions. Once the Mezzanine Loan is repaid in full and after reduction of the Senior Loan to

 

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a 40% loan-to-collateral value ratio, we anticipate using substantially all net proceeds raised from the sale of our shares under our Offerings to fund future acquisitions of timberland, to fund capital expenditures, and to pay down the remaining Senior Loan and/or future borrowings. Proceeds generated from future debt financings may also be used to fund future acquisitions of timberland and capital expenditures.

If sufficient equity or debt capital is not available, our future investments in timberland will be lower. Our charter precludes us from incurring debt in excess of 300% of our net assets, which we generally expect to approximate 75% of our timber assets before adjustment for noncash reserves, depletion, and amortization; however, we may temporarily exceed this limit upon the approval of a majority of our independent directors. As of March 31, 2009, our leverage ratio was approximately 63% and our debt-to-net assets ratio was approximately 199%. Our board of directors may determine that it is in our best interest to pursue highly leveraged timberland acquisitions in order to enable us to more quickly acquire a diversified portfolio of timberland properties. As a result, we are not able to anticipate with any degree of certainty what our leverage ratio will be in the near future. However, over the long-term, we expect our leverage ratio to be no more than 50%. In accordance with our charter, if our board of directors, including a majority of our independent directors, approves any borrowing in excess of our leverage limitation, we will disclose such approval to our stockholders in our next quarterly report, along with an explanation for such excess.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

We are subject to certain commitments and contingencies with regard to certain transactions. Refer to Note 5 and Note 8 of our accompanying consolidated financial statements for further explanations. All of the proceeds raised under our Offerings, net of fees, expenses and redemptions of our common stock for death and qualifying disability, are required to be used to service the Mezzanine Loan, which currently incurs interest at a rate of 11.0%. See “– Liquidity and Capital Resources.” Once the Mezzanine Loan is repaid in full, future proceeds raised under our Offerings, net of fees and expenses, are required to be used to service the Senior Loan until achieving a 40% loan-to-collateral value ratio.

Our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2009 will become payable in the following periods:

 

     Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligations

   Total    2009     2010-2011    2012-2013    Thereafter

Outstanding debt obligations

   $ 258,743,943    $ 39,065,327     $ 219,678,616    $ —      $ —  

Estimated interest on debt

obligations(1)

     17,446,177      10,676,157       6,770,020      —        —  

Operating lease obligations

     19,691,930      1,554,510       3,945,130      3,254,970      10,937,320
                                   

Total

   $ 295,882,050    $ 51,295,994     $ 230,393,766    $ 3,254,970    $ 10,937,320
                                   

 

(1)

Amounts include impact of interest rate swaps. See Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2009, filed on May 12, 2009, for more information on our interest rate swaps.

 

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Results of Operations

Overview

This offering was declared effective on August 11, 2006, and we began actively selling shares of our common stock in May 2007. Following the receipt and acceptance of subscriptions for the minimum offering of $2.0 million on July 11, 2007, we commenced operations and acquired interests in approximately 322,800 acres of timberland in October 2007.

Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2008 versus the three months ended March 31, 2009

Revenue. Revenues increased from approximately $15.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 to approximately $15.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 due to increases in timberland sales and other revenues of approximately $0.9 million and $0.1 million, respectively, partially offset by an approximately $0.8 million decrease in timber sales. Revenue from timberland sales increased as a result of selling approximately 2,960 acres during the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to selling 1,600 acres during the same period in 2008. The decrease in revenue from timber sales was primarily due to lower sawtimber and chip-n-saw prices caused by weak lumber and plywood markets resulting from the significant decline in new residential construction. Future revenue from timber sales related to the Mahrt Timberland is expected to remain relatively stable based on slight increases in harvest volumes and stable pulpwood prices, offset by continued decreases in chip-n-saw and sawtimber prices.

Operating expenses. Contract logging and hauling costs decreased from approximately $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 to approximately $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 due to a 10% decrease in delivered wood and lower logging rates. Depletion decreased from approximately $5.5 million for the first quarter of 2008 to approximately $4.1 million for the same period in 2009 due to normalized depletion rates, which occurred once the Mahrt Timberland was owned for longer than one year and the respective rates were calculated based on the net carrying value of timber, capitalized silviculture costs and total timber volume estimated to be available over the harvest cycle. Cost of timberland sales increased from approximately $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 to approximately $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 primarily as a result of selling approximately 1,360 more acres in the first quarter of 2009. Asset and forestry management fees increased from approximately $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 to approximately $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 due to an incentive fee based on net revenues earned by our forestry manager. Other operating costs increased from approximately $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 to approximately $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 due to an increase in property taxes accrued in the first quarter of 2009 as compared to 2008.

Contract logging and hauling, depletion, and other operating expenses are expected to remain relatively stable in future periods prior to the acquisition of additional timber assets. Asset and forestry management fees, which are primarily based on the number of acres managed, are expected to remain relatively stable due to no significant changes in the number of acres owned during the year.

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased from approximately $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 to approximately $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 primarily due to a decrease in legal expenses, which were higher during the earlier stages of our organization and operations. General and administrative expenses are expected to remain relatively stable in future periods prior to the acquisition of additional timber assets.

 

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Interest income. Interest income decreased from approximately $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 to approximately $18,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily as a result of the disposition of an approximately $398.0 million certificate of deposit in December 2008. Future levels of interest income will vary, primarily due to changes in amounts required to be escrowed by our lenders and changes in market interest rates during future periods.

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased from approximately $13.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 to approximately $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to the disposition of an approximately $398.0 million promissory note in December 2008, lower principal balances outstanding on our debt facilities and an approximately $1.7 million reduction in amortization of deferred financing costs. Interest expense, as compared to prior periods, is expected to continue to decrease; however, actual interest expense in future periods will vary based on our level of current and future borrowings, which will depend on the level of equity proceeds raised, the cost of future borrowings, and the opportunity to acquire timber assets fitting our investment objectives.

Interest rate risk instruments. We recognized a loss on our interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment of approximately $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to a loss of approximately $5.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in the nominal amounts and lengths of time remaining under the respective swap contracts, changes in market interest rates and changes in the outlook of future market interest rates. We expect that future gains and losses on our interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment will fluctuate primarily as a result of additional changes in market interest rates and changes in the economic outlook for future market rates.

Net loss. Our net loss decreased from approximately $14.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 to approximately $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily as a result of decreases in interest expense, net of interest income, and loss on interest rate swaps of approximately $5.1 million and $4.2 million, respectively. We sustained a net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2009 primarily as a result of incurring interest expense, net of interest income, of $3.1 million in connection with borrowings used to finance the purchase of the Mahrt Timberland, and incurring a loss on interest rate swaps of approximately $0.9 million related to our hedging of interest rate risk. We opted to leverage the Mahrt Timberland acquisition with substantial short-term and medium-term borrowings as a result of sourcing this acquisition in advance of raising investor proceeds under this offering. Our net loss per share available to common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was $0.39 and $2.94, respectively. As we continue to raise equity under our Offerings to repay the Mezzanine Loan and the Senior Loan, we anticipate decreases in interest expense, which is expected to reduce future net losses.

 

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Adjusted EBITDA

The discussion below is presented to enhance the reader’s understanding of our liquidity, ability to generate cash, and ability to satisfy lender requirements. Earnings from Continuing Operations before Interest, Taxes, Depletion, and Amortization, or EBITDA, is a non-GAAP measure of our operating cash-generating capacity. EBITDA is defined by the SEC; however, we have excluded certain other expenses due to their noncash nature, and we refer to this measure as Adjusted EBITDA. As such, Adjusted EBITDA, as defined, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be viewed as an alternative to net income or cash from operations as a measurement of our operating performance, as it excludes certain expenses related to fixed-asset investments required to generate revenues. Due to our significant amount of debt, management views operating income as the most appropriate earnings measure of our underlying timber operations. Management considers Adjusted EBITDA to be an important measure of our financial condition and cash-generating ability due to the significant amount of fixed assets subject to depletion and the significant amount of financing subject to interest and amortization expense. Our credit agreements contain a minimum debt service coverage ratio based on Adjusted EBITDA since the measure is representative of adjusted income available for interest payments.

For the three months ended March 31, 2009, Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $3.7 million, a decrease of approximately $0.6 million from the same period during the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to increases in forestry management fees and other operating expenses of approximately $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Wells Timberland REIT, Inc.’s reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 follows:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2009     2008  

Net loss

   $ (4,544,276 )   $ (14,784,673 )

Add:

    

Unrealized (gain) loss on interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment

     (334,971 )     4,371,854  

Interest expense(1) , (2)

     3,961,829       7,034,775  

Depletion

     4,127,369       5,489,198  

Amortization(1)

     443,690       2,135,766  
                

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 3,653,641     $ 4,246,920  
                
 
 

(1)

For the purpose of the above reconciliation, amortization includes amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of intangible lease assets, and amortization of mainline road costs, which are included in either interest expense, land rent expense, or other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.

 

 

(2)

Amount for the three months ended March, 31, 2008 excludes interest expense of approximately $4.7 million incurred on a promissory note, as amount is entirely offset by interest income earned on a certificate of deposit.

A noncash expense critical to our operations is the noncash cost of timberland sold. For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, noncash cost of timberland sold was approximately $3.2 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA plus noncash cost of timberland sold for the three ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 totaled approximately $6.8 million and $6.6 million, respectively.

 

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Election as a REIT

Pursuant to our charter, our board of directors has the authority to determine when and if it is in our best interest to elect to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a real estate investment trust, or REIT. Due to our acquisition of the Mahrt Timberland on October 9, 2007 and restrictions imposed by the Senior Loan and Mezzanine Loan, we determined that it was not in our best interest to be taxed as a REIT for the year ended December 31, 2008. We expect that our board of directors will elect for us to qualify as a REIT for the taxable year ended December 31, 2009. To qualify as a REIT, we must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of the REIT’s ordinary taxable income to stockholders. If we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we generally will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income that we distribute to our stockholders. If we subsequently fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will then be subject to federal income taxes on our taxable income at regular corporate rates and will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for four years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the Internal Revenue Service grants us relief under certain statutory provisions. Such an event could materially adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to stockholders. However, we believe that we are organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, upon a determination by our board of directors that election of REIT status is in our best interests of our stockholders.

Inflation

In connection with the acquisition of the Mahrt Timberland, we entered into the Timber Agreements with MeadWestvaco. The Timber Agreements provide that we will sell to MeadWestvaco specified amounts of timber subject to bi-annual market pricing adjustments and monthly fuel pricing adjustments, which are intended to protect us from, and mitigate the risk of, the impact of inflation. The price of timber has generally increased with increases in inflation. Because of our limited operating history, we have not noticed a significant impact from inflation or changing prices on our net sales or revenues, nor on income from continuing operations.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

Our accounting policies have been established to conform to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. These judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. If management’s judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, it is possible that different accounting policies would have been applied or different amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses would have been recorded, thus resulting in a different presentation of the financial statements or different amounts reported in the financial statements. Additionally, other companies may utilize different estimates that may impact comparability of our results of operations to those of companies in similar businesses.

 

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A discussion of the accounting policies that management deems critical because they may require complex judgment in their application or otherwise require estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain, is provided below:

Timber, Timberlands, and Depletion

Timber and timberlands, including logging roads, are stated at cost less accumulated depletion for timber harvested and accumulated road amortization. We capitalize timber and timberland purchases and reforestation costs and other costs associated with the planting and growing of timber, such as site preparation, growing or purchases of seedlings, planting, fertilization, herbicide application, and the thinning of tree stands to improve growth. Timber carrying costs, such as real estate taxes, insect control, wildlife control, leases of timberlands, and forestry management personnel salaries and fringe benefits, are expensed as incurred. Costs of major roads are capitalized and amortized over their estimated useful lives. Costs for roads built to access a single logging site are expensed as incurred.

Depletion, or costs attributed to timber harvested, is charged against income as trees are harvested. Fee-simple timber tracts owned for longer than one year are pooled together for depletion calculation purposes. Depletion rates are determined at least annually by dividing (a) the sum of (i) net carrying value of the timber, which equals the original cost of the timber less previously recorded depletion, and (ii) capitalizable silviculture costs incurred and expected to be incurred on specific sites already planned and approved, by (b) the total timber volume estimated to be available over the harvest cycle. The capitalized silviculture cost is limited to the expenditures that relate to establishing stands of timber. For each timber tract owned less than one year, depletion rates are determined by dividing the acquisition cost attributable to its timber by the volume of timber acquired. Net carrying value of the timber and timberlands is used to compute the gain or loss in connection with timberland sales. No book basis is allocated to the sale of conservation easements.

We continually monitor events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of our timber assets may not be recoverable. When indicators of potential impairment are present that suggest that the carrying amounts of timber assets may not be recoverable, we assess the recoverability of these assets by determining whether the carrying value will be recovered through the undiscounted future operating cash flows expected from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Impairment losses would be recognized for (i) long-lived assets used in our operations when the carrying value of such assets exceeds the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated from the future operations of those assets, and (ii) long-lived assets held for sale when the carrying value of such assets exceeds an amount equal to their fair value less selling costs. Estimated fair values are calculated based on the following information in order of preference, dependent upon availability: (i) recently quoted market prices, (ii) market prices for comparable properties, or (iii) the present value of undiscounted cash flows, including estimated salvage value. We intend to use one harvest cycle for the purpose of evaluating the recoverability of timber and timberlands used in our operations. Future cash flow estimates are based on probability-weighted projections for a range of possible outcomes and are discounted at the risk-free rates of interest. We consider assets to be held for sale at the point at which a sale contract is executed and the buyer has made a nonrefundable earnest money deposit against the contracted purchase price. We have determined that there has been no impairment of our long-lived assets to date.

 

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Allocation of Purchase Price of Acquired Assets

Upon the acquisition of timberland properties, we allocate the purchase price to tangible assets, consisting of timberland and timber; and identified intangible assets and liabilities, which may include values associated with in-place leases or supply agreements, based in each case on our estimate of their fair values.

The fair values of timberland and timber are determined based on available market information and estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount factors and capitalization rates. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including the historical operating results, known and anticipated trends, and market and economic conditions. The values are then allocated to timberland and timber based on our determination of the relative fair value of these assets.

The in-place ground leases with us as the lessee have value associated with effective contractual rental rates that are below market rates. Such values are calculated based on the present value (using a discount rate that reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place lease and (ii) our estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place lease, measured over a period equal to the remaining terms of the leases. The capitalized above-market and below-market in-place lease values are recorded as intangible lease assets and are amortized as adjustments to land rent expense over the remaining terms of the respective leases.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from the sale of timber is recognized when the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, (ii) legal ownership and the risk of loss is transferred to the purchaser, (iii) price and quantity is determinable, and (iv) collectibility is reasonably assured. Our primary sources of revenue are recognized as follows:

 

  (1) For delivered sales contracts, which include amounts billed for logging and hauling of timber, revenues are recognized upon delivery to the customer.

 

  (2) For pay-as-cut contracts, the purchaser acquires the right to harvest specified timber on a tract, at an agreed-upon price per unit. Payments and contract advances are recognized as revenue as the timber is harvested based on the contracted sale rate per unit.

 

  (3) For lump-sum sale contracts, the purchaser generally pays the purchase price upon execution of the contract. Title to the timber and risk of loss transfers to the buyer at the time the contract is consummated. Revenues are recognized upon receipt of the purchase price. When the contract expires, ownership of the remaining standing timber reverts to us; however, adjustments are not made to the revenues previously recognized. Any extensions of time will be negotiated under a new or amended contract.

 

  (4) Revenues from the sale of HBU timberland and non-strategic timberlands are recognized when title passes and full payment or a minimum down payment is received and full collectibility is assured. If a down payment of less than the minimum down payment is received at closing, we will record revenue based on the installment method or other acceptable method.

 

11


Related Party Transactions and Agreements

We have engaged Wells TIMO and its affiliates to perform certain services under agreements which require us to pay fees and reimbursements to Wells TIMO or its affiliates, including asset management and disposition fees, selling commissions and dealer-manager fees, as well as subject to certain limitations, reimbursements of organization and offering costs, and certain operating costs. See Note 8 to our accompanying consolidated financial statements for a detailed discussion of our related-party agreements and the related transactions, fees and reimbursements.

Assertions of Legal Actions against Related Parties

On March 12, 2007, a stockholder of Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., formerly known as Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., or Piedmont REIT, filed a putative class action and derivative complaint, presently styled In re Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. Securities Litigation, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland against, among others, Piedmont REIT, Wells Capital, the owner of our advisor, certain affiliates of Wells REF, and certain of our officers and directors who formerly served as officers or directors of Piedmont REIT prior to the closing of an internalization transaction by Piedmont REIT on April 16, 2007. The complaint alleges, among other things, violations of the federal proxy rules and breaches of fiduciary duty arising from the Piedmont REIT internalization transaction and the related proxy statement filed with the SEC on February 26, 2007, as amended. The complaint seeks, among other things, unspecified monetary damages and nullification of the Piedmont REIT internalization transaction. On April 9, 2007, the District Court denied the plaintiff’s motion for an order enjoining the internalization transaction. On April 17, 2007, the Court granted the defendants’ motion to transfer venue to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, and the case was docketed in the Northern District of Georgia on April 24, 2007. On June 7, 2007, the court granted a motion to designate the class lead plaintiff and class co-lead counsel. On June 27, 2007, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint, which attempts to assert class action claims on behalf of those persons who received and were entitled to vote on the Piedmont REIT proxy statement filed with the SEC on February 26, 2007, and derivative claims on behalf of Piedmont REIT. On July 9, 2007, the court denied the plaintiff’s motion for expedited discovery related to an anticipated motion for a preliminary injunction. On August 13, 2007, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On March 31, 2008, the court granted in part the defendants’ motion to dismiss the amended complaint. The court dismissed five of the seven counts of the amended complaint in their entirety. The court dismissed the remaining two counts with the exception of allegations regarding the failure to disclose in the Piedmont REIT proxy statement details of certain expressions of interest in acquiring Piedmont REIT. On April 21, 2008, the plaintiff filed a second amended complaint, which alleges violations of the federal proxy rules based upon allegations that the proxy statement to obtain approval for the Piedmont REIT internalization transaction omitted details of certain expressions of interest in acquiring Piedmont REIT. The second amended complaint seeks, among other things, unspecified monetary damages, to nullify and rescind the internalization transaction, and to cancel and rescind any stock issued to the defendants as consideration for the internalization transaction. On May 12, 2008, the defendants answered and raised defenses to the second amended compliant. On June 23, 2008, the plaintiff filed a motion for class certification. As of the date of this filing, the time for the defendants to respond to the plaintiff’s motion for class certification has not yet passed. The parties are presently engaged in discovery. On April 13, 2009, the plaintiff moved for leave to amend the second amended complaint to add additional defendants. The time for the defendants to respond to the motion for leave to amend has not yet expired. Wells Capital and our officers and directors who are named in the complaint intend to vigorously defend this action. Any financial loss incurred by Wells Capital or its affiliates, including our advisor, could hinder our advisor’s ability to successfully manage our operations and our portfolio of investments.

 

12


Commitments and Contingencies

We are subject to certain commitments and contingencies with regard to certain transactions. Refer to Note 5 and Note 8 of our accompanying consolidated financial statements for further explanation. Examples of such commitments and contingencies include:

 

   

MeadWestvaco Timber Agreements;

 

   

Carbon Storage Agreement;

 

   

Advisory Agreement; and

 

   

Dealer-Manager Agreement.

Subsequent Event

Subsequent to March 31, 2009, we sold additional shares of common stock as more fully explained in this Supplement No. 15 under the heading “Status of Our Initial Public Offering.”

 

13


INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

Financial Statements

  

Wells Timberland REIT, Inc.

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31, 2008

   F-2

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March  31, 2009 (unaudited) and 2008 (unaudited)

   F-3

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Year Ended December  31, 2008 and the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited)

   F-4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March  31, 2009 (unaudited) and 2008 (unaudited)

   F-5

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

   F-6

 

F-1


WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     (Unaudited)
March 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,556,302     $ 4,120,091  

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     8,334,937       7,331,910  

Accounts receivable

     1,293,599       767,611  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     968,048       784,448  

Deferred financing costs, less accumulated amortization of $8,824,156 and $8,426,956 as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

     1,613,278       2,010,478  

Timber assets, at cost:

    

Timber and timberlands, net (Note 3)

     368,257,214       375,139,886  

Intangible lease assets, less accumulated amortization of $245,963 and $204,353 as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

     790,890       832,500  
                

Total assets

   $ 385,814,268     $ 390,986,924  
                

Liabilities:

    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 2,649,464     $ 3,391,893  

Due to affiliates (Note 8)

     15,133,233       12,790,206  

Other liabilities

     7,947,736       8,197,438  

Notes payable:

    

Senior loan (Note 4)

     204,678,616       208,600,930  

Mezzanine loan (Note 4)

     54,065,327       65,731,749  
                

Total liabilities

     284,474,376       298,712,216  

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5)

    

Stockholders’ Equity:

    

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized:

    

8.5% Series A preferred stock, $1,000 liquidation preference; 32,128 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008

     36,161,867       35,488,500  

8.5% Series B preferred stock, $1,000 liquidation preference; 10,700 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008

     11,235,733       11,011,473  

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 900,000,000 shares authorized; 14,924,766 and 13,412,781 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively

     149,248       134,128  

Additional paid-in capital

     129,627,075       116,930,362  

Accumulated deficit

     (75,834,031 )     (71,289,755 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     101,339,892       92,274,708  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 385,814,268     $ 390,986,924  
                

See accompanying notes.

 

F-2


WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2009     2008  

Revenues:

    

Timber sales

   $ 9,751,021     $ 10,551,366  

Timberland sales

     4,879,710       4,024,273  

Other revenues

     819,764       693,163  
                
     15,450,495       15,268,802  

Expenses:

    

Contract logging and hauling costs

     4,601,116       5,195,127  

Depletion

     4,127,369       5,489,198  

Cost of timberland sales

     3,350,320       2,557,581  

General and administrative expenses

     1,032,480       1,173,684  

Asset and forestry management fees:

    

Related-party

     997,712       1,006,797  

Other

     774,125       504,278  

Land rent expense

     595,436       604,037  

Other operating expenses

     509,923       266,381  
                
     15,988,481       16,797,083  
                

Operating loss

     (537,986 )     (1,528,281 )

Other income (expense):

    

Interest income

     17,768       4,897,812  

Interest expense

     (3,129,523 )     (13,085,646 )

Loss on interest rate swaps

     (894,535 )     (5,068,558 )
                
     (4,006,290 )     (13,256,392 )
                

Net loss

     (4,544,276 )     (14,784,673 )

Dividends to preferred stockholders

     (897,627 )     (678,989 )
                

Net loss available to common stockholders

   $ (5,441,903 )   $ (15,463,662 )
                

Per-share information – basic and diluted:

    

Net loss available to common stockholders

   $ (0.39 )   $ (2.94 )
                

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted

     14,070,334       5,258,330  
                

See accompanying notes

 

F-3


WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

AND THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2009 (UNAUDITED)

 

     Common Stock     Preferred Stock    Additional
Paid-In

Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
     Shares     Amount     Shares    Amount       

Balance, December 31, 2007

   4,320,101     $ 43,201     32,128    $ 32,757,620    $ 38,258,080     $ (18,015,073 )   $ 53,043,828  

Issuance of common stock

   9,122,680       91,227     —        —        91,135,198       —         91,226,425  

Redemption of common stock

   (30,000 )     (300 )   —        —        (299,700 )     —         (300,000 )

Issuance of preferred stock

   —         —       10,700      10,700,000      —         —         10,700,000  

Dividends on preferred stock

   —         —       —        3,042,353      (3,042,353 )     —         —    

Commissions and discounts on stock sales and related dealer-manager fees

   —         —       —        —        (8,027,535 )     —         (8,027,535 )

Other offering costs

   —         —       —        —        (1,093,328 )     —         (1,093,328 )

Net loss

   —         —       —        —        —         (53,274,682 )     (53,274,682 )
                                                  

Balance, December 31, 2008

   13,412,781       134,128     42,828      46,499,973      116,930,362       (71,289,755 )     92,274,708  

Issuance of common stock

   1,511,985       15,120     —        —        15,104,733       —         15,119,853  

Dividends on preferred stock

   —         —       —        897,627      (897,627 )     —         —    

Commissions and discounts on stock sales and related dealer-manager fees

   —         —       —        —        (1,330,547 )     —         (1,330,547 )

Other offering costs

   —         —       —        —        (179,846 )     —         (179,846 )

Net loss

   —         —       —        —        —         (4,544,276 )     (4,544,276 )
                                                  

Balance, March 31, 2009

   14,924,766     $ 149,248     42,828    $ 47,397,600    $ 129,627,075     $ (75,834,031 )   $ 101,339,892  
                                                  

See accompanying notes.

 

F-4


WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2009     2008  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (4,544,276 )   $ (14,784,673 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depletion

     4,127,369       5,489,198  

Unrealized (gain) loss on interest rate swaps

     (334,971 )     4,371,854  

Other amortization

     46,490       41,610  

Noncash interest expense

     397,200       2,094,157  

Basis of timberland sold

     3,178,501       2,341,100  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable

     (525,988 )     46,644  

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets

     (183,600 )     212,908  

(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (742,429 )     2,254  

Increase in due to affiliates

     2,135,549       1,631,177  

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

     85,269       (672,516 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     3,639,114       773,712  

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

    

Investment in timber, timberland, and related assets

     (428,078 )     (407,390 )

Net funds (invested in) released from escrow accounts

     (1,003,027 )     1,096,010  
                

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (1,431,105 )     688,620  

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

    

Repayments of mezzanine loan

     (11,666,422 )     (16,160,239 )

Repayments of senior loan

     (3,922,314 )     (2,462,992 )

Issuance of common stock

     14,987,197       20,840,502  

Redemption of common stock

     —         (300,000 )

Commissions on stock sales and related dealer-manager fees paid

     (1,170,259 )     (1,890,160 )
                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (1,771,798 )     27,111  

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     436,211       1,489,443  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     4,120,091       1,474,780  
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 4,556,302     $ 2,964,223  
                

See accompanying notes.

 

F-5


WELLS TIMBERLAND REIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2009 (unaudited)

 

1. Organization

Wells Timberland REIT, Inc. (“Wells Timberland REIT”) was formed on September 27, 2005 as a Maryland corporation that intends to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) but has not yet qualified or elected to be taxed as a REIT. Wells Timberland REIT engages in the acquisition and ownership of timberland located throughout the United States. Substantially all of Wells Timberland REIT’s business is conducted through Wells Timberland Operating Partnership, L.P. (“Wells Timberland OP”), a Delaware limited partnership formed on November 9, 2005, of which Wells Timberland REIT is the sole general partner, possesses full legal control and authority over its operations, and owns 99.99% of its common units. Wells Timberland Management Organization, LLC (“Wells TIMO”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Capital, Inc. (“Wells Capital”), is the sole limited partner of Wells Timberland OP. In addition, Wells Timberland OP formed Wells Timberland TRS, Inc. (“Wells Timberland TRS”), a wholly owned subsidiary organized as a Delaware corporation, on January 1, 2006. Unless otherwise noted, references herein to Wells Timberland REIT shall include Wells Timberland REIT and all of its subsidiaries, including Wells Timberland OP, and the subsidiaries of Wells Timberland OP and Wells Timberland TRS. Under an agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”), Wells TIMO performs certain key functions on behalf of Wells Timberland REIT and Wells Timberland OP, including, among others, the investment of capital proceeds and management of day-to-day operations (see Note 8).

As of March 31, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT owned approximately 223,400 acres of timberland and held long-term leasehold interests in approximately 90,400 acres of additional timberland, all of which is located on the Lower Piedmont and Upper Coastal Plains of East Central Alabama and West Central Georgia (the “Mahrt Timberland”). Wells Timberland REIT acquired the Mahrt Timberland on October 9, 2007. Wells Timberland REIT generates the majority of its revenues from selling the rights to access land and harvest timber to third parties pursuant to supply agreements and through open-market sales, selling higher and better use timberlands (“HBU”), and leasing land-use rights to third parties. Wells Timberland REIT also generates additional revenues and income from selling the rights to extract natural resources, other than timber, from its timberland.

On August 11, 2006, Wells Timberland REIT commenced its initial public offering (the “Initial Public Offering”) of up to 85.0 million shares of common stock, of which 10.0 million shares were reserved for issuance through Wells Timberland REIT’s distribution reinvestment plan, pursuant to a Registration Statement filed on Form S-11 under the Securities Act of 1933. Wells Timberland REIT began actively selling its common shares in May 2007. Wells Timberland REIT commenced operations after receiving and accepting subscriptions in its Initial Public Offering equal to the minimum offering of $2.0 million on July 11, 2007. As of March 31, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT has raised gross offering proceeds from the sale of common stock under the Initial Public Offering of approximately $149.3 million. After deductions from such gross offering proceeds for payments of selling commissions and dealer-manager fees of approximately $12.4 million, other organization and offering expenses of approximately $0.2 million, and common stock redemptions of approximately $0.3 million under the share redemption plan, Wells Timberland REIT had received aggregate net offering proceeds of approximately $136.4 million, which was used to partially fund the Mahrt Timberland acquisition and pay down acquisition-related debt. As of March 31, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT has incurred other organization and offering expenses of approximately $1.8 million, a substantial portion of which has been deferred by the terms of Wells Timberland REIT’s loan agreements until the mezzanine loan is repaid in full and after reduction of the senior loan to a 40% loan-to-collateral value ratio. Wells Timberland REIT’s Initial Public Offering terminates on August 11, 2009.

 

F-6


On February 3, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to register approximately 220.9 million shares of common stock, of which 200.0 million shares are to be offered in a primary offering for $10.00 per share and 20.9 million shares of common stock are to be offered under Wells Timberland REIT’s distribution reinvestment plan for $9.55 per share. Wells Timberland REIT has not issued any shares under this registration statement as it has not been declared effective by the SEC. Wells Timberland REIT does not expect to commence an offering under this registration statement until the earlier of the date that Wells Timberland REIT sells all the shares available for sale in its current offering or August 11, 2009.

On July 11, 2008, Wells Timberland REIT entered into a master purchase agreement (the “Master Purchase Agreement”) with Wells TIMO, Wells-DFH Timberland Nr.88 GmbH & Co. KG, a German closed-end fund (the “2008 Fund”), and Deutsche Fonds Holding AG, a corporation organized under the laws of Germany (“DFH”). DFH was not, and the 2008 Fund (prior to purchasing shares of common stock under the Master Purchase Agreement) was not, in any way affiliated with Wells Timberland REIT or its affiliates.

On April 8, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT entered into an amended and restated master purchase agreement (the “Amended Master Purchase Agreement”) with Wells TIMO, DFH, the 2008 Fund and Wells-DFH Materia Nr.88 GmbH & Co. KG, a German closed-end fund (the “2009 Fund”). Pursuant to the Amended Master Purchase Agreement, Wells Timberland REIT has agreed to sell up to 53.8 million shares of its common stock to the 2009 Fund, at a price per share of $9.30, for an aggregate purchase price of up to $500.0 million (the “German Offering”). In Wells Timberland REIT’s Initial Public Offering, shares of Wells Timberland REIT’s common stock are typically sold to investors at a price per share of $10.00 and, after the application of the 7.0% sales commission and the 1.8% dealer-manager fee, Wells Timberland REIT receives net proceeds (before expenses) of $9.12 per share. In the German Offering, Wells Timberland REIT is selling shares of its common stock to the 2009 Fund at a price per share of $9.30. The 2009 Fund will not pay the sales commission or the dealer-manager fee in connection with the German Offering; however, Wells Timberland REIT will pay DFH a distribution fee of 1.0% of the gross proceeds that it receives from the German Offering. As a result, in respect of those shares of Wells Timberland REIT’s common stock sold in the German Offering, Wells Timberland REIT will receive net proceeds (before expenses) of $9.21 per share, which is greater than the $9.12 per share that Wells Timberland REIT receives in its Initial Public Offering after deducting the sales commission and dealer manager fee. Wells Timberland REIT may increase, in its sole discretion, the size of the German Offering up to a maximum of 107.5 million shares of its common stock to accommodate any additional German closed-end fund(s) or other investment vehicles that may become a party to the Amended Master Purchase Agreement in the future (together with the 2009 Fund, the “Funds”). The Funds’ right to purchase shares pursuant to the Amended Master Purchase Agreement will continue until the earlier of (i) the sale of all of the shares contemplated thereby or (ii) December 31, 2010. The German Offering is being conducted pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is separate and in addition to Wells Timberland REIT’s Initial Public Offering. As of March 31, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT had received net proceeds from the sale of its common stock under the German Offering of $5,000.

Wells Timberland REIT’s common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange. Wells Timberland REIT’s charter requires that in the event its common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange by August 11, 2018, Wells Timberland REIT must either (i) seek stockholder approval of an extension or amendment of this listing deadline or (ii) seek stockholder approval to begin

 

F-7


liquidating investments and distributing the resulting proceeds to the stockholders. In the event that Wells Timberland REIT seeks stockholder approval for an extension or amendment to this listing date and does not obtain it, Wells Timberland REIT will then be required to seek stockholder approval to liquidate. In this circumstance, if Wells Timberland REIT seeks and does not obtain approval to liquidate, Wells Timberland REIT will not be required to list or liquidate and could continue to operate indefinitely as an unlisted company.

Wells Timberland REIT holds various debt facilities outstanding as of March 31, 2009, which require interest and certain mandatory principal reduction payments during 2009 and 2010 (see Note 4). Wells Timberland REIT expects to generate sufficient cash flow from operations and future equity offerings to meet all such required principal and interest payment requirements. If proceeds raised in Wells Timberland REIT’s Initial Public Offering are not sufficient to cover the principal reduction payments required by the debt facilities, or if Wells Timberland REIT is not successful in extending the principal maturity dates beyond 2009, or otherwise unable to satisfy its obligations under the debt facilities as they become due, Wells Real Estate Funds Inc. (“Wells REF”), the guarantor of Wells Timberland REIT’s mezzanine loan, has represented to Wells Timberland REIT its intent to fund any and all of Wells Timberland REIT’s remaining unpaid debt maturities in 2009 to ensure that Wells Timberland REIT makes all such debt repayments in accordance with the terms of the loan agreements, and any repayment of debt from Wells Timberland REIT to Wells REF would not become due or payable during 2009 or shortly thereafter.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements of Wells Timberland REIT have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the statements for these unaudited interim periods presented include all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair and consistent presentation of the results for such periods. Results for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

Wells Timberland REIT owns a controlling financial interest in Wells Timberland OP and Wells Timberland TRS and, accordingly, includes the accounts of these entities in its consolidated financial statements. The financial statements of Wells Timberland OP and Wells Timberland TRS are prepared using accounting policies consistent with those used by Wells Timberland REIT. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes included in Wells Timberland REIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as amended.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

Wells Timberland REIT has entered into interest rate swaps agreements to hedge its exposure to changing interest rates on variable rate debt instruments. Wells Timberland REIT does not enter into derivative or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes; however, certain of its derivatives may not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Wells Timberland REIT records the fair value of its interest rate swaps as either prepaid expenses and other assets or other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of the effective portion of interest rate swaps that are designated as hedges are recorded as other comprehensive loss in the accompanying consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity. The ineffective portion of the hedge, if any,

 

F-8


is recognized in current earnings during the period of change in fair value. Changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment are recorded as gain (loss) on interest rate swaps in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Amounts received or paid under interest rate swaps are recorded as gain or loss on interest rate swaps as incurred. As of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, Wells Timberland REIT recognized the fair value of interest rate swaps of approximately $6.8 million and $7.1 million, respectively, in other liabilities. A net increase (decrease) in the fair value of interest rate swaps that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment of approximately $0.3 million and $(4.4) million is included in loss on interest rate swaps in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, net payments of approximately $1.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively, are included in loss on interest rate swaps in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Income Taxes

Wells Timberland REIT intends to elect to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and has operated as such, beginning with its taxable year ending December 31, 2009. To qualify as a REIT, Wells Timberland REIT must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of its ordinary taxable income to its stockholders. As a REIT, Wells Timberland REIT generally will not be subject to federal income tax on taxable income it distributes to stockholders. If Wells Timberland REIT fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will then be subject to federal income taxes on its taxable income at regular corporate rates and will not be permitted to qualify for treatment as a REIT for federal income tax purposes for four years following the year during which qualification is lost unless the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) grants Wells Timberland REIT relief under certain statutory provisions.

Wells Timberland REIT intends, upon its qualification as and election to be taxed as a REIT, to treat Wells Timberland TRS as a taxable REIT subsidiary. At the point in time at which Wells Timberland REIT elects to be treated as a REIT, it may be beneficial for Wells Timberland REIT to perform certain non-customary services, including real estate or non-real estate related services, through Wells Timberland TRS. Earnings from services performed through Wells Timberland TRS are subject to federal and state income taxes irrespective of the dividends paid deduction available to REITs for federal income tax purposes. In addition, for Wells Timberland REIT to qualify as a REIT, Wells Timberland REIT’s investment in Wells Timberland TRS may not exceed 25% of the value of the total assets of Wells Timberland REIT.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities based on the enacted rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. Deferred tax expenses or benefits are recognized in the financial statements according to the changes in deferred assets or liabilities between years. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets when it becomes more likely than not that such assets, or portions thereof, will not be realized.

Fair Value Measurements

Wells Timberland REIT estimates the fair value of its assets and liabilities (where currently required under GAAP) consistent with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”), which became effective for financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2008 and for non-financial and nonrecurring assets and liabilities on January 1, 2009. Under this standard, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a

 

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liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. While various techniques and assumptions can be used to estimate fair value depending on the nature of the asset or liability, SFAS 157 provides the following fair value technique parameters and hierarchy, depending upon availability:

Level 1 – Assets or liabilities for which the identical term is traded on an active exchange, such as publicly-traded instruments or futures contracts.

Level 2 – Assets and liabilities valued based on observable market data for similar instruments.

Level 3 – Assets or liabilities for which significant valuation assumptions are not readily observable in the market; instruments valued based on the best available data, some of which is internally-developed, and considers risk premiums that a market participant would require.

Wells Timberland REIT applied the provisions of SFAS 157 in recording its interest rate swaps at fair value. The valuation of the interest rate swaps was determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities.

The following table presents information about Wells Timberland REIT’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2009, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value:

 

     Fair Value Measurements as of March 31, 2009
     Total    Level 1    Level 2    Level 3

Liabilities:

           

Interest rate swaps

   $ 6,763,545    $ —      $ 6,763,545    $ —  

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combination (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) requires, among other things, that (i) transaction costs be expensed as incurred and (ii) preacquisition contingencies, such as environmental or legal issues, be recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. Wells Timberland REIT adopted SFAS 141(R) on January 1, 2009 and will apply the provisions of SFAS 141(R) to its future acquisitions.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 requires, among other things, for (i) noncontrolling ownership interests to be classified as equity, instead of as a minority interest component of mezzanine equity, and (ii) earnings from noncontrolling interests to be included in earnings from consolidated subsidiaries with an additional disclosure of the allocation of such earnings between controlling and noncontrolling interests on the face of the statement of operations. Wells Timberland REIT adopted SFAS 160 on January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 160 did not have a material impact on Wells Timberland REIT’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment to FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 requires additional disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities including: (i) descriptions of how and why the entity uses derivative instruments, (ii) how such instruments are accounted for under SFAS 133, and (iii) how derivative instruments affect the entity’s financial position, operations, and cash flows. Wells Timberland REIT adopted SFAS 161 on January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 161 did not have a material impact on Wells Timberland REIT’s consolidated financial statements (see Interest Rate Swap Agreements in Note 2 for additional required disclosures).

 

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In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) SFAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value when the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions that are not Orderly (“FSP 157-4”), which is effective for Wells Timberland REIT for the quarterly period beginning April 1, 2009. FSP 157-4 affirms that the objective of fair value when the market for an asset is not active is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. The FSP provides guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of market activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased and determining whether a transaction was orderly. This FSP applies to all fair value measurements when appropriate. Wells Timberland REIT does not expect that the adoption of this statement will have a significant impact on its financial statements based on current market conditions.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments (“FSP 115-2”), which is effective for Wells Timberland REIT for the quarterly period beginning April 1, 2009. FSP 115-2 amends existing guidance for determining whether an other-than-temporary impairment of debt securities has occurred. Among other changes, the FASB replaced the existing requirement that an entity’s management assert it has both the intent and ability to hold an impaired security until recovery with a requirement that management assert (a) it does not have the intent to sell the security, and (b) it is more likely than not it will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis. Wells Timberland REIT has not determined the impact of the adoption of FSP 115-2 on its financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (“FSP 107-1”), which is effective for Wells Timberland REIT for the quarterly period beginning April 1, 2009. FSP 107-1 requires an entity to provide the annual disclosures required by FASB Statement No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, in its interim financial statements. Wells Timberland REIT will provide the additional disclosures required by FSP 107-1 in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009.

 

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3. Timber and Timberlands

During the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, Wells Timberland REIT sold approximately 2,960 acres and 1,600 acres of non-strategic timber and timberland for approximately $4.9 million and $4.0 million, respectively. The basis in timber and timberland sold was approximately $3.2 million and $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In connection with the timberland sold during the three months ended March 31, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT entered into a timber reservation agreement with the purchaser whereby Wells Timberland REIT retained the title and right to harvest certain standing timber through December 31, 2009. As of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, timber and timberlands consisted of the following, respectively:

 

     As of March 31, 2009
     Gross    Depletion    Net

Timber

   $ 206,990,495    $ 4,127,369    $ 202,863,126

Timberlands

     165,261,735      —        165,261,735

Mainline roads

     141,118      8,765      132,353
                    

Timber and Timberlands

   $ 372,393,348    $ 4,136,134    $ 368,257,214
                    
     As of December 31, 2008
     Gross    Depletion    Net

Timber

   $ 229,019,954    $ 21,513,106    $ 207,506,848

Timberlands

     167,509,265      —        167,509,265

Mainline roads

     127,658      3,885      123,773
                    

Timber and Timberlands

   $ 396,656,877    $ 21,516,991    $ 375,139,886
                    

 

4. Notes Payable

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT engaged in the following significant activities with respect to its notes payable:

 

 

Wells Timberland REIT paid down the mezzanine loan by approximately $11.7 million, which, when added to principal payments made in prior periods, reduced the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the mezzanine loan to $54.1 million.

 

 

On March 30, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT amended the mezzanine loan to extend the maturity date from September 30, 2009 to April 30, 2010. The amended mezzanine loan agreement provides that Wells Timberland REIT shall make principal reduction payments on June 30, 2009, September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2009, reducing the outstanding principal balance to an amount not greater than $45.0 million, $30.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively. On April 30, 2010, all outstanding principal, interest, and any fees or other obligations on the mezzanine loan shall be due and payable in full.

 

 

The credit agreement for the senior loan contains mandatory prepayment requirements from proceeds generated from dispositions of timber and timberland less a working capital reserve. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT paid down the senior loan by approximately $3.9 million with proceeds from timber and timberland sales.

 

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During the three months ended March 31, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT made interest payments on the senior loan and the mezzanine loan of approximately $2.2 million and approximately $1.7 million, respectively. Wells Timberland REIT made interest payments on the senior loan and mezzanine loan of approximately $3.6 million and $3.5 million, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2008.

 

5. Commitments and Contingencies

MeadWestvaco Timber Agreements

In connection with its acquisition of the Mahrt Timberland, Wells Timberland REIT entered into a master stumpage agreement and a fiber supply agreement (collectively, the “Timber Agreements”) with a wholly owned subsidiary of MeadWestvaco Corporation (“MeadWestvaco”). The master stumpage agreement provides that Wells Timberland REIT will sell specified amounts of timber and make available certain portions of the Mahrt Timberland to Wells Timberland TRS for harvesting at $0.10 per ton of qualifying timber purchased by MeadWestvaco plus a portion of the gross proceeds received from MeadWestvaco under the fiber supply agreement. The fiber supply agreement provides that MeadWestvaco will purchase specified amounts of timber, including pine pulpwood, hardwood pulpwood, chip-n-saw, and pine sawlogs, from Wells Timberland TRS at specified prices per ton of timber, depending upon the type of timber. The fiber supply agreement is subject to market pricing adjustments based on the Timber Mart-South average price change for pine pulpwood. The initial term of the Timber Agreements is October 9, 2007 through December 31, 2032, subject to extension and early termination provisions. The Timber Agreements ensure a long-term source of supply of wood fiber products for MeadWestvaco in order to meet its paperboard and lumber production requirements at specified mills and provide Wells Timberland REIT with a reliable consumer for the wood products from the Mahrt Timberland.

Carbon Storage Agreement

On March 19, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT entered into a carbon storage agreement (the “Carbon Storage Agreement”) with Carbon TreeBank LLC (“CTB”), which is an aggregator and facilitator of private timberland carbon offsets. The Carbon Storage Agreement provides that Wells Timberland REIT will participate in the carbon dioxide offset and mitigation program facilitated by CTB by managing up to 50,000 acres of Wells Timberland REIT’s timberland for the purpose of the storage of atmospheric carbon. CTB agreed to purchase carbon dioxide offset credits until December 31, 2011, subject to demand under the program, at a price based on the average monthly strike price of carbon credits traded on the Chicago Climate Exchange for the preceding calendar year. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, approximately $50,000 of revenue related to the Carbon Storage Agreement is included in other revenues in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Litigation

Wells Timberland REIT is from time to time a party to legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Wells Timberland REIT is not currently involved in any legal proceedings of which the outcome is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or financial condition of Wells Timberland REIT. Wells Timberland REIT is not aware of any such legal proceedings contemplated by governmental authorities.

 

6. CoBank Interest Rate Swap Agreement

On January 23, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT entered into an interest rate swap agreement with CoBank, ACB (“CoBank”) to hedge its exposure to changing interest rates on $75.0 million of the senior loan subject to a variable interest rate (the “CoBank Interest Rate

 

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Swap”). The CoBank Interest Rate Swap has an effective date of February 24, 2009 and matures on February 24, 2010. Under the terms of the CoBank Interest Rate Swap, Wells Timberland REIT will pay interest at a fixed rate of 1.14% per annum and receive LIBOR-based interest payments from CoBank on $75.0 million of the senior loan. The CoBank Interest Rate Swap effectively fixes the LIBOR rate on $75.0 million of the senior loan at 1.14% through February 24, 2010. See Interest Rate Swap Agreements in Note 2 for additional required disclosures.

 

7. Supplemental Disclosures of Noncash Activities

Outlined below are significant noncash investing and financing transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively:

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
     2009    2008

Other offering costs due to affiliate

   $ 179,846    $ 257,531
             

Discounts applied to issuance of common stock

   $ 132,656    $ 58,925
             

Dividends accrued on preferred stock

   $ 897,627    $ 678,989
             

 

8. Related-Party Transactions

Advisory Agreement

Wells Timberland REIT and Wells Timberland OP are party to the Advisory Agreement with Wells TIMO, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Capital.

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, Wells TIMO is entitled to the following fees and reimbursements:

 

   

Reimbursement of organization and offering costs paid by Wells TIMO and its affiliates on behalf of Wells Timberland REIT, not to exceed 1.2% of gross offering proceeds. To the extent that organization and offering costs exceed 1.2% of gross offering proceeds, all organization and offering costs will be incurred by Wells TIMO and not by Wells Timberland REIT.

 

   

Monthly asset management fees equal to one-twelfth of 1.0% of the greater of (i) the gross cost of all investments made on behalf of Wells Timberland REIT or (ii) the aggregate value of such investments. Wells TIMO may engage experienced timber management companies to assist Wells TIMO with certain of its asset management responsibilities under the Advisory Agreement, including investing in timberland and selling timber on behalf of Wells Timberland REIT. Any timber asset managers would perform these services under contracts with Wells TIMO and would be compensated by Wells TIMO under the terms of such contracts.

 

   

Reimbursement for all costs and expenses Wells TIMO incurs in fulfilling its duties as the asset portfolio manager, including wages and salaries and other employee-related expenses of Wells TIMO’s employees engaged in the management, administration, operations, and marketing functions. Employee-related expenses include taxes, insurance, and benefits relating to such employees, and legal, travel, and other out-of-pocket expenses that are directly related to the services they provide.

 

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For any property sold by Wells Timberland REIT, if Wells TIMO provided a substantial amount of services in connection with the sale (as determined by Wells Timberland REIT’s independent directors), Wells Timberland REIT will pay Wells TIMO a fee equal to (i) for each property sold at a contract price up to $20.0 million, up to 2.0% of the sales price, and (ii) for each property sold at a contract price in excess of $20.0 million, up to 1.0% of the sales price. The precise amount of the fee within the preceding limits will be determined by Wells Timberland REIT’s board of directors, including a majority of the independent directors, based on the level of services provided and market norms. The real estate disposition fee may be in addition to real estate commissions paid to third parties. However, the total real estate commissions (including such disposition fee) may not exceed the lesser of (i) 6.0% of the sales price of each property or (ii) the level of real estate commissions customarily charged in light of the size, type, and location of the property.

The Advisory Agreement has a one-year term that began on July 11, 2008 and renews for successive one-year terms upon the mutual consent of the parties. Wells Timberland REIT may terminate the Advisory Agreement without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice. If Wells Timberland REIT terminates the Advisory Agreement, it will pay Wells TIMO all unpaid reimbursements of expenses and all earned but unpaid fees. In addition, if the Advisory Agreement is terminated without cause, the special units of limited partnership held by Wells TIMO will be redeemed. For further information on the special units, including redemption payments, refer to the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Wells Timberland REIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as amended.

Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, Wells Timberland REIT is required to reimburse Wells TIMO for certain organization and offering costs up to the lesser of actual expenses or 1.2% of gross offering proceeds raised. As of March 31, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT has charged to additional paid-in capital cumulative organization and other offering costs of approximately $1.8 million related to the Initial Public Offering, which represents approximately 1.2% of cumulative gross proceeds raised by Wells Timberland REIT under the Initial Public Offering. As of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, Wells TIMO and its affiliates have incurred aggregate organization and offering expenses on behalf of Wells Timberland REIT of approximately $5.8 million and $5.4 million, respectively.

The mezzanine and senior loans contain restrictive covenants that prohibit Wells Timberland REIT from paying monthly asset management fees, administrative expense reimbursements and a substantial portion of organization and offering cost reimbursements to Wells TIMO until the mezzanine loan is repaid in full and after reduction of the senior loan to a 40% loan-to-collateral value ratio. These amounts are recorded as due to affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Dealer-Manager Agreement

Wells Timberland REIT has executed a dealer-manager agreement (the “Dealer-Manager Agreement”), whereby Wells Investment Securities, Inc. (“WIS”), an affiliate of Wells Capital, will perform the dealer-manager function for Wells Timberland REIT’s Initial Public Offering. For these services, WIS earns a commission of up to 7.0% of the gross offering proceeds from the sale of Wells Timberland REIT’s shares, of which substantially all is re-allowed to participating broker/dealers. Wells Timberland REIT pays no commissions on shares issued under its distribution reinvestment plan.

Additionally, WIS earns a dealer-manager fee of 1.8% of the gross offering proceeds at the time the shares are sold. A portion of the dealer-manager fee will be re-allowed to participating broker/dealers. Dealer-manager fees apply to the sale of shares in the primary offering only, and do not apply to the sale of shares under Wells Timberland REIT’s distribution reinvestment plan.

 

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Related-Party Costs

Pursuant to the terms of the agreements described above, Wells Timberland REIT incurred the following related-party costs for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
     2009    2008

Commissions(1)(2)

   $ 931,965    $ 1,462,960

Administrative reimbursements

     616,695      624,380

Dealer-manager fees(1)

     265,926      376,190

Asset management fees

     997,712      1,006,797

Disposition fees

     97,594      80,485

Other offering costs(1)

     179,846      257,531
             

Total

   $ 3,089,738    $ 3,808,343
             
 
 

(1)

Commissions, dealer-manager fees, and other offering costs are charged against stockholders’ equity as incurred.

 

 

(2)

Substantially all commissions have been re-allowed to participating broker/dealers through March 31, 2009.

Due to Affiliates

The detail of amounts due to affiliates is provided below as of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

 

     March 31,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Administrative reimbursements due to Wells TIMO

   $ 6,289,463    $ 5,672,628

Operating expense reimbursements due to Wells TIMO

     1,542,311      1,021,309

Asset management fees due to Wells TIMO

     5,675,721      4,678,009

Other offering cost reimbursements due to Wells TIMO

     1,563,264      1,383,418

Commissions and dealer-manager fees due to WIS

     62,474      34,842
             

Total

   $ 15,133,233    $ 12,790,206
             

Conflicts of Interest

As of March 31, 2009, Wells TIMO had ten employees. Wells TIMO relies upon employees of Wells Capital, the parent company and manager of Wells TIMO, to perform many of its obligations. Wells Capital also is a general partner or advisor of various affiliated public real estate investment programs (“Wells Real Estate Funds”). As such, in connection with serving as a general partner or advisor for Wells Real Estate Funds and managing Wells TIMO’s activities under the Advisory Agreement, Wells Capital may encounter conflicts of interest with regard to allocating human resources and making decisions related to investments, operations, and disposition-related activities for Wells Timberland REIT and Wells Real Estate Funds.

 

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Additionally, one of the independent members of Wells Timberland REIT’s board of directors also serves on the board of another REIT sponsored by Wells Capital and, accordingly, may encounter certain conflicts of interest regarding investment and operations decisions.

Economic Dependency

Wells Timberland REIT engaged Wells TIMO and WIS to provide certain services essential to Wells Timberland REIT, including asset management services, supervision of the management of properties owned by Wells Timberland REIT, asset acquisition and disposition services, the sale of shares of Wells Timberland REIT’s common stock, as well as other administrative responsibilities, including accounting services, stockholder communications, and investor relations. Wells TIMO and WIS are dependent on Wells Capital to provide certain services that are essential to their operations. These agreements are terminable by either party upon 60 days’ written notice. As a result of these relationships, Wells Timberland REIT is dependent upon Wells Capital, Wells TIMO, and WIS.

Wells Capital, Wells TIMO, and WIS are all owned and controlled by Wells REF. The operations of Wells Capital, Wells TIMO, WIS and Wells Management Company, Inc. (“Wells Management”) represent substantially all of the business of Wells REF. Accordingly, Wells Timberland REIT focuses on the financial condition of Wells REF when assessing the financial condition of Wells Capital, Wells TIMO, WIS, and Wells Management. In the event that Wells REF were to become unable to meet its obligations as they become due, Wells Timberland REIT might be required to find alternative service providers.

Future net income generated by Wells REF will be largely dependent upon the amount of fees earned by Wells Capital, Wells TIMO, WIS, and Wells Management based on, among other things, the level of real estate assets managed, the amount of investor proceeds raised and the volume of future acquisitions and dispositions of real estate assets by Wells Timberland REIT and other Wells REF-sponsored investment products. As of March 31, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT believes that Wells REF generates adequate cash flow from operations and has adequate liquidity available in the form of cash on hand and other investments to meet its current and future obligations as they become due.

Wells REF guarantees the mezzanine loan held by Wells Timberland REIT, which had an outstanding principal balance of approximately $49.4 million as of April 30, 2009 (see Note 4).

 

9. Subsequent Event

Sale of Shares of Common Stock

From April 1, 2009 through April 30, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT raised approximately $5.5 million through the issuance of approximately 0.5 million shares of common stock under the Initial Public Offering. As of April 30, 2009, approximately 59.5 million shares remained available for sale to the public, exclusive of shares available under Wells Timberland REIT’s distribution reinvestment plan. As noted above, on April 8, 2009, Wells Timberland REIT entered into the Amended Master Purchase Agreement in connection with the German Offering. No proceeds were raised from the issuance of common stock under the German Offering from April 1, 2009 through April 30, 2009. As of April 30, 2009, approximately 53.8 million shares remained available for sale to the Funds under the German Offering.

 

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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION – The prospectus of Wells Timberland REIT, Inc. consists of this sticker, the prospectus dated December 14, 2007, Supplement No. 14 dated April 23, 2009 and Supplement No. 15 dated May 20, 2009.

Supplement No. 14 includes:

 

   

the status of our initial public offering;

   

changes to the suitability standards for investors;

   

a description of our current portfolio;

   

selected financial data;

   

information regarding our indebtedness;

   

information regarding our distributions;

   

our performance – Adjusted EBITDA;

   

compensation paid to our advisor;

   

the sale by our operating partnership of Wells Timberland Acquisition, LLC to Wells Real Estate Funds, Inc.;

   

amendments to the terms of our mezzanine loan;

   

our entry into an amended and restated master purchase agreement with respect to the German offering;

   

our entry into a carbon storage agreement;

   

an update to our “Risk Factors” disclosure;

   

a clarification regarding share ownership and transfer restrictions;

   

the amendment of our charter;

   

the designation, issuance and sale of Series B preferred stock;

   

the amended and restated advisory agreement;

   

the formation of an operations committee of our board of directors;

   

additional disclosures regarding “Federal Income Tax Considerations;”

   

a clarification regarding our share redemption plan;

   

an update regarding our rescission offer to Michigan residents;

   

an update to the table of contents to our prospectus;

   

a change to our “Experts” section of our prospectus;

   

incorporation of certain documents by reference;

   

an amended subscription agreement;

   

an update to our “Prior Performance Summary” disclosure in our prospectus; and

   

an update to our “Prior Performance Tables” disclosure in our prospectus.

Supplement No. 15 includes:

 

   

the status of our initial public offering;

   

information regarding our indebtedness;

   

“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” similar to that filed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2009, filed on May 12, 2009; and

   

our unaudited financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as filed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 12, 2009.