Approach by logging company

[Jstpssng]

Besides using a forester, I also would get references and visit some of his previous jobs before signing a contract.

 

[windy acers]

Thay made a mess on 12 acres of hard wood. Took all of the walnut and made ruts from the skider. Paid $5000.00 in advance.I needed the money at the time $$$$$.

 

[DKCDKC]

I was burned by a logger several years ago who lived nearby, but - I found - never got the required permit to log. He also took several loads and vanished. I did track him down and made threats until I got paid, then filed a complaint with the forest service. But more recently had a fine experience because I used a state forester for advice. They examined the timber, then advised on harvesting and checked during the harvest to make sure roads were done properly. The logger did exactly as specified and I got more than I expected - with plenty more to harvest later.

For those really concerned over land damage, in Virginia we have small loggers who actually still use horses and have almost no land impact. They are slower and you may not get as much for the timber - or as fast - but they don't damage the land at all.

 

[newbury]

I would hire a consulting forester and get their advice before signing any contracts. Part of it is you have to know what you want, what your goals are for the land, what your timber is worth. There's no rush, a year isn't going to make a big difference generally.

Loggers look for red pine around here to cut for utility poles.

+3 on the forester. Another good thing to do is visit (the loggers) current and completed harvests and if possible, talk to the land owner. Then make your expectations or conditions of the completed harvest part of the contract.

Get your STATE/County Forester involved immediately - They are free. They should be able to tell you if ANYTHING is worth cutting. AND find a consulting forester if something IS worth cutting.

I've (w/ SWMBO) about 300 acres, about 100 acres were clear cut around 30 years ago. Due to NOT anybody who owned it then being able to make a decision most of the acreage just regenerated and is mixed hardwood with some pine. Those acres are JUST getting to the stage they may be good for pulpwood.

We've about 70 acres that were clearcut in 2005 and replanted in pine. It's almost ready for thinning, and with luck in 10 years for partial harvest.

BE very careful of having a logging company "thin". Often they high grade and leave virtually nothing.

Also like a prior poster wrote DON'T trust a logger who asks you to sell.

We had a 14 acre parcel in Leakesville, MS that the MIL, BIL and SWMBO owned. So I had no say in it. They wanted to get rid of the land AND timber. Two years ago a Leakesville logger started calling the now 90 year old MIL, who told her to call my wife. His FIRST offer was $15K for the timber, verbal. I blew up at that but they proceeded SLOWLY over my objections (too much hassle to get bids, ta da, ta da).

Then FINALLY it got to the point last spring they told him to send a contract to my wife. He snail mails the contract to my MIL, asking for JUST her signature, and in the finer print it's $15K for timber AND THE 14 acres. Still, MIL & BIL were ready to sign and I REALLY BLEW UP. Next I'm in the doghouse BUT they consented to get more bids.

The first logger calls us (remember it's 2014) and tells how the MIL and SWMBO told him they wanted to get rid of the land AND the trees were heavily damaged by a hurricane in 2012 thus his $15K for timber and land was a generous offer.

Google earth shows in 2013 that either the trees were not damaged or they grew back to maturity in 1 year.

End result with more bids they got $45K plus. I'm out of the doghouse. Now, MIL & BIL get to complain about taxes.

Not all loggers are scum of the earth, but I think some make the extra effort.

AND while I'm on my soapbox a bit of advice - get your forest "certified".

Cut and paste from MSU Forest Certification Systems in Mississippi

Forest certification assures buyers that timber was managed according to sustainable social, economic, and environmental
standards. Certification is a voluntary process with standards that typically cover key values such as these:
protection of biodiversity, species at risk, and wildlife habitat
sustainable harvest levels
protection of water quality
prompt regeneration
In turn, producer risks are reduced regarding product diversification, water use decisions, certified marketing, and strategic planning. Chain-of-custody certification
tracks the percentage of fiber from certified forests, certified sourcing, and post-consumer recycled content.
Forest certification programs are becoming increasingly popular among landowners and forest products companies. In some cases, certification is a requirement for
purchasing wood.

I was told the big box stores (HD, Lowes) are being pressured to buy from "certified" forests. So I had my forests "certified" for free by my County forester.

 

[TomSeller]

Ideal time to log is the ground is frozen to avoid much of the rutting. Agree about references and visiting a previously logged site. I often wondered if you can structure the agreement such that you can release 1 or 2 acres at a time and not release any more if they don't do a good job.

 

[Patrickdozer]

I agree with Tom. My arborist told me best time to log is the period between fall after trees loose there leaves through winter up until early spring before trees start budding. Reason being trees are dormant and if bark gets rubbed off do to dropping trees and dragging out there is less likelihood of killing the trees you want to keep.

I 3rd and 4th previous comments about getting a forester, it will cost a percentage but they will put lumber out for bid and get you the most money.

A forester working on your behalf will be able to mark, count and measure trees to get an estimate of board footage and document types of species that are saleable.
They will monitor work as well as drawing up a contract to address any environmental issues or concerns you may have. You can have a managed select cut versus a clearcut.

 

[fishheadbob]

I agree. Consulting forester. They'll manage the sale and get a cut of the profit, but they'll get you the best price because the more you make the more they make.

+4 Best money you can spend in your situation. You're a babe in the woods (no pun intended) who doesn't do this for a living. They do.

 

[chuck172]

Do mature tulip poplar trees have value to a logging co.?

 

[jimmyj]

Totally agree with the advice to involve experts - and get references. My dad agreed to let a "local guy" log their 15 ac of perfect veneer maple trees about 10 years ago. He had a pro come in and mark what trees to cut and where to drive etc. The loggers ignored the markings and DESTROYED the forest. Then they only paid him 100 per tree. He had nothing in writing. Dumb move and I'd hate to see anyone else have such an experience.

 

[fitter1]

Besides using a forester, I also would get references and visit some of his previous jobs before signing a contract.

I would also get references on the forester. 25yrs ago I had my property logged using a forester and he recommended a local logger. It did not end well. I did not due my homework and took a beating. I only got less then half of what was quoted. I was not there when logging was being done, a big mistake on my part. This year I'm having it done again and will be on site the whole time. Good luck with your logging and be on top of them during the entire project.