10 leading U.S. private land owners

From buffalo herding to space travel, many tycoons focus on commerce
By Bill Briggs
MSNBC contributor

Explainer: America's top landowners have commerce in mind

They grow timber, offer hunting or produce energy on their property. The three largest private landholders in America each have enough acreage to qualify their plots as the 49th largest state. No nosy neighbors for miles.

Who are these owners and what do they do with all of that land? The 2010 list of the 100 largest U.S. land owners reflects market ripples: some are selling off pieces, but several tycoons are buying more and buying big.

“To me, there’s a really fascinating element to this,â€