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The majority of private landowners will only be able to harvest timber two or three times during their lifetime. The objectives of the private woodland owner are therefore our top priority.
Experience has shown that the main objectives of landowners are:
- receiving the highest possible price
for their standing timber when it is
time to sell
- only selecting the appropriate trees for harvest so to enhance the growth potential of the
woodland
- to not harvest or damage young timber throughout the woods that is yielding a high rate of return
These objectives can be met as long as the trees are properly selected and marked.
 What is the best way to sell timber?
 The best way to sell timber is by hiring a forester and having a Sealed Bid Timber
Sale. By using this method you will know exactly how many trees are for sale, how much volume is for sale, what the trees are worth, and you will be paid in full before any trees are cut. Sale notices will be sent to every licensed buyer within a 100 - 150 mile radius of the sale area assuring that every possible buyer is notified. The forester will also administer the sale, provide the timbersale contract, and make sure the harvest is completed according to the terms in the contract.
Which trees should I consider selling or harvesting?
When selecting trees for harvest, we usually choose those with the following characteristics:
- physically mature - trees which have wind or lightening damage, disease or are dying
- economically mature - trees which are mature for their growing site and are starting to have their financial rate of return decrease as their risk for damage increases
- low value trees competing heavily with trees of higher value
When the trees with these characteristics are selected for sale, a harvest can be expected every 12 - 15 years in a well managed woods.
Will there be a lot of damage, or will my woods look bad after the harvest?
When removing large trees from a forest stand there will always be some damage such as limbs knocked out of adjacent trees, small trees skinned, an occasional top knocked out of a smaller tree, and even a smaller tree being knocked over by the felling of a larger one. These types of damages are acceptable and expected. However, this damage is very minimal and has little impact on the future value of the forest stand.
What will happen to the tops after the harvest?
The tops should be left where they are felled. If the logger attempts to pull or drag the tops to a central location, he will do more damage to the young timber left than the actual timber harvest. The tops will make an excellent source of firewood, and will provide valuable nutrients to the forest floor as they
decompose.
How do I know if
I have trees ready to be harvested and what
 are
they worth?
Call a professional forester. Have a forester walk through your woods and give you an idea whether you have trees ready for harvest and what type of quality is in your woods.
This consultation is free and usually only takes a couple of hours depending on the size of the woodland.
What factors effect the value of my timber?
There are many factors which will effect the value of a particular stand of timber. The main factors include:
- tree species; certain species are worth more than others
- tree size; small trees are less valuable
- condition of trees; are the trees damaged, diseased, or poorly formed
- quality of trees; veneer, sawtimber, pallet material
- market demand; is the market for what you are selling good or bad
- logging conditions; is the terrain steep, flat, wet or dry
- access; is the woods close to a road, do you have to access crop fields, do you have to go through the neighbor
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