Resources
Helpful Information
FAQ
Questions?
You start by asking these questions: 1. What do I want to do with my property? 2. What's my long-term goals for my property? Once you know the answers to these questions, have a private consulting forester come and evaluate your property. Private consultants work for you, the landowner, and do not represent a mill or contractor. Its important to choose a forester that is a member of a forestry organization such as Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF). These individuals are the Gold Standard of consulting foresters.
Forestry Management is understanding the current state of your timberland, having a vision and goal in mind for what you want for your timberland, and having a plan and process as to how your going to achieve your goal. Most generally, forestry management includes commercial timber harvesting, reducing insect and disease problems, increasing wildlife use, protecting water quality, reducing forest biomass to minimize wildfire damage, and long term generational tree farm management. A consulting forester can help you look at all aspects of forestry management and come up with a plan that will meet any or all of these goals for your forestland.
A Forest Management Plan (FMP), or Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP), is a great way to gather all the information there is to know about your forestland in one place. All FMPs/FSPs must adhere to the Integrated Forest Management Plan guidelines for the State Of Washington. The plan will have detailed information about your property regarding insects and disease, soils, roads, noxious weeds, timber resources, etc. These plans will allow you to apply for a reduced property classification through the county. A plan will help you understand the current "state of you forestland" and what you'll need to do to create a healthy forest that has minimal impacts from insects or disease, producing fiber for a future timber harvest, and has a reduced potential for damage from wildfire. Should you have a FMP/FSP, the answer is Yes.
Yes. We are committed to maximized utilization. We monitor markets and sell your product at the best price possible. We typically get a better price per thousand board feet of timber because we deal in quality and quantity to the mills we serve. We will never sell your timber at a loss, and always consult with you on markets prior to harvesting. Timberland is as varied and unique as the people who own it, so having an onsite valuation is essential in understanding your project.
My forestry mentor would answer this way - "Its like an adult diaper, It depends." There are many aspects that go into the process of forestland management. You need to have a vision of where you want to go, and a plan as to how to get there. Properties need to be evaluated for a variety of factors, a prescription needs to be developed that meets your vision and plan. The property needs to be prepared for management and permitted prior to any activity taking place. Coordination with contractors is a huge factor. Marketing and mill prices are evaluated, we wont harvest or sell your timber during a low market unless you tell us to. The process can be in a matter of 2 to 3 months, or a couple years. We do our best to meet your financial and management needs while balancing all factors so you meet your long-term goals.
There is a wealth of education information available to small forest landowner if you know where to look. Below is some helpful information that you can access to further your knowledge in managing your forestland.