Drones will change how we do forestry, or at least how we see (literally) our forests. We saw a demonstration of a drone today. It was smaller than I thought (they do come in bigger sizes) and quieter. It sounded like a bunch of bees when it was close; you could not hear much at all when it got higher up.
I will wait a little while before getting one. I figure the prices will come down as technology improves. As I get older, it will be useful way to keep up with the land. If I also get one of those little all wheel drive vehicles, I will have it made.
The first three pictures show the drone. The last one is a pine savanna. It is mostly loblolly and not longleaf, but has many of the same characteristics. They created it from a thickly planted plantation and now maintain it with fire and herbicides.