Timber Sale Administration and Preparation

The type and timing of a timber sale is one of the most important decisions that a forest landowner will make and it is our job to assist you in making the right one.  The market for timber is very dynamic and is impacted by numerous macro (i.e., housing starts) and micro (i.e., weather) economic conditions.  One of our responsibilities is to stay abreast of these conditions and help you take advantage of those that can work in your favor.  Below is an excerpt from the Society of American Forester’s publication, “Helping You Plan for the Future of Your Forest” that emphasizes the importance of getting a forester to assist you.

“Although you may not be thinking about a timber harvest, if you own forestland, you will probably be approached about one.  No matter what you decide about harvesting trees, hiring a forester can provide significant benefits.  Studies show that involving a forester in a harvest that’s part of an overall management plan can leave your forest in better condition, provide more income from the harvest, and ensure that you meet your environmental regulations.  Hiring a forester will ensure that the management plan focuses on what is left on the land – not just what is taken from it.”    

Timber is typically sold in one of two ways.  One way is the “lump sum” method where 100% of the value of the timber is paid to the landowner in exchange for a Timber Deed that temporarily transfers title of the timber designated for sale to the buyer.  The other way is the “pay-as-cut” method that, as the name implies, allows the timber buyer to pay for the timber as it is cut.  Both sale methods are useful but each one has its risks.  It is our job to minimize the risks by providing an estimate of the timber’s value before it is sold, assisting with the preparation of workable timber harvest agreements that protect both the land and the landowner, and periodically inspecting the logging job to ensure that the timber is being harvested in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the agreement.  The use of remote security cameras is often used on pay-as-cut sales to help verify that all loads are properly accounted for and that the harvested timber is being properly merchandised.