Calculating timber

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Im considering haveing my property timbered.... 40 acres 99 percent oak ...It hasnt been timbered in 20 years. and i was wondering the best way to figure out what i have....so i could get the best price, since there are unscrupulous timer dealers all over the place....please feel free to email me direct if you so choose

-- Doc (Docsvfone@aol.com), October 03, 2001

Answers

Contact your local Ag Agent for the name and telephone number for State Forester for your area. They can provide a free estimate of the number of board feet per acre for both selective cutting and clear cutting. They can probably also provide a list of timber cutters they know to be reputable. Insist a contract be in writing with something like one-half in front and the other half when half of the timber is cut. Some may also do a share arrangement. Ask the Forester what is the standard practice for your area.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), October 03, 2001.

Hey! Right up my alley...your not-so-local forester here. Find a local forester either state or consulting to give you a hand. By asking about it before shaking hands you are doing the smart thing. It never ceases to amaze me the folks who will drive around hither and yon to get a couple hundred dollar difference on a new car then do a handshake deal with the first person to offer them anything for their timber! Some folks call that the ignorance tax :)

Some quicky general pointers: Think about and write down your goals for the property. A forest inventory would be helpful in this process, but at least a general walk-through with a professional is in order. Decide if a timber sale will meet your goals. If so, have a marked, lump sum sale. Have a forester do the marking. Make the loggers compete against each other to give you the best price for your timber by bidding. And most importantly HAVE A WRITTEN CONTRACT with your successful bidder. A performance bond isn't a bad idea either. I can email you a sample contract from work if you'd like.

I haven't done a sale since the economy went screwy last month so I'm wondering what markets are up to. They were so-so to fair in August in the midwest but we're in a different world now and export markets may falter. Keep that in mind too. Meanwhile best of luck and let us know how it turns out.

-- Susan (smtroxel@socket.net), October 03, 2001.


Thank you all very much for the information it was exactely what i was looking for.....Doc

-- Doc (Docsvfone@aol.com), October 04, 2001.

Call your local Extension office and see if they have a MFO (Master Forest Owner) program in your area. These are private people who have a concern for the care of woodlots. They can show you how to thin the wooks and improve the timber stand. With proper management you can harvest about every 10 years. MFO's charge you nothing for the service. Be careful with a private forester many are very good but don't forget they get paid by the vallue of the timber you have cut, and highgrading is not uncommon, taking the best trees and leaving poorer trees as a seed source.

-- Paul (Treewizard @buffalo.com), October 09, 2001.

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