Robin G. Willhoite, Consulting Forester

HOW TO SELL TIMBER AND TIMBERLAND

1. Plan the Sale. Your consulting forester will match your ownership goals to the current conditions and potential future of your timberland. Then he will prescribe and implement an appropriate formula to achieve the desired future conditions. One false move here and you cut yourself out of the timber business for years.
2. Know what you are selling. An accurate inventory of the timber resources and the land assets and capabilities is essential.
3. Advertise the Sale. A consulting forester will prepare a sale announcement and distribute it to 100+ potential buyers in the market area. A well-advertised competitive sealed-bid process is the key to premium market prices.
4. Be Protected. A consulting forester will prepare a timber deed which protects your remaining timber, land, improvements, and reduce personal liability. The forester will also inspect the actual logging operations for sale compliance and conduct semi-annual inspections of general timber conditions.

The future of your forest resources depends on proper management and marketing techniques.

WHAT IS FOREST MANAGEMENT?

Forest Management is the art, science, philosophy, and business of cultivating forest resources, based on a knowledge of forestry. Forest management is the implementation of a forest management plan to control harvest specifications and to attain reforestation when and where required to achieve perpetual harvests.

WHAT IS A CONSULTING FORESTER?

• A consulting forester is an independent businessperson assisting private landowners to best manage and market their forest resources. Timber and timberland sales, appraisals, inventories, management plans, reforestation, herbicide application, boundary line maintenance, landowner consultations and other services are offered on a fee basis.
• A consulting forester usually has at least one college degree in forestry and many years experience in managing and marketing forest resources.
• A consulting forester’s primary responsibility is to the landowner. The landowner’s ownership objectives should be kept foremost in developing and executing a forest management plan.

WHY USE A CONSULTING FORESTER?

The purpose of engaging a consulting forester is to get competent, professional advice and assistance in the management and marketing of forest resources. The employment of a consulting forester can be expected to generate or improve income and reduce cost while improving the landowner's forest property for future uses and growth. Using a consulting forester will benefit you by ensuring that you and your land are treated fairly by all concerned. The consultant works for and is paid by the landowner to protect the landowner’s interests.

HOW MUCH DOES A CONSULTING FORESTER COST?

Forest management does not cost, it pays. More often than not, forest owners using a consulting forester receive more net income and have more timber left in superior condition compared to those landowners attempting to manage timber by themselves. A consulting forester's fees are determined by each forester and depend on the scope of the project. Fees may be based on the time and expense required to complete a job, or may consist of a lump sum price for any given job. Where sales of forest products or land are involved, the fees may be based on a percentage of the bid price realized from a sale.