Timber harvests are the biggest forest management decision you will make.

Why do you need a forest resource consultant to supervise your harvest?

The harvesting phase is a very critical period of forest management. If the wrong trees are taken in the harvest, it takes many years to correct the error. Selling timber has become a sophisticated business transaction and a licensed consultant with forestry experience provides the know-how to maximize your investment. Remember, timber buyers and contractors know more about buying/selling timber than you do. Hiring a consultant helps protect you. I will work for you and my job is to protect your interests. I will do this by having your land harvested the way you specify, gaining the best value for your timber, making the best recommendations for the long term health of your land, find the best contractor, ensure you have a good legal contract, file all necessary paperwork, and supervise the job from start to finish. I take care of all the paperwork and will fill out the landowner report the state requires at the end of the year. I will also be on the job as the cutting process is taking place.

A timber harvest follows these steps in most cases: 1. Meet with landowner and discuss objectives and identify the timber to be harvested. 2. Appraise the timber by determining the volume and price of various species. 3. Establish property lines and sales lines. Flag out all sensitive areas such as brooks, wetlands, lakes, or other areas in need of protection. 4. Develop sale prospectus with a map and distribute to the local timber markets and/or advertise locally. 5. Conduct a "sealed bid" sale at designated time and place. Usually, the available contractors give a price and then a decision is made. There are more factors than the price to consider. 6. Establish a contract between the buyer and landowner. 7. Conduct pre-harvest plan between buyer/contractor, consultant forester, and landowner. 8. Supervise timber harvest to ensure contract compliance and all laws are followed. 9. Perform final sale inspection to ensure landowner's objectives were met and the site is satisfactory.