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Getting Started answers...

1.

Why should I sell my timber?

As an owner and caretaker of forest land you should practice good forest stewardship to maintain a healthy forest. As with any living organism, trees grow old and deteriorate until they die. If you have an unhealthy forest condition, your stand of trees is susceptible to disease, insects, fire, and wind storms. Removing unhealthy forests and regenerating a new forest provides many benefits to wildlife, the environment, and your pocket book.

Forest Stewardship starts with a forester inventorying your timber stands and making recommendations based on age, species, stocking levels, soil, health, etc. of each stand of timber.


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2. Is there a permit required to cut my trees?

No. You may need permits to access your land from highways or roads. If you construct permanent roads across wetlands and the primary purpose is not for forest management activities, then you may need a permit.

 
3. What can be done to protect my land during the timber harvest?
Forest harvesting techniques and equipment has changed dramatically since the chainsaw and farm tractor days. Modern loggers have low ground pressure equipment and Best Management Practices (BMP) training to accomplish an environmentally sensitive timber harvest. Your forester can design the timber sale to avoid sensitive areas or soils, recommend the correct season of harvest, protect reserve trees, and manage the residual tree slash (unmerchantable portion of the tree).

Most timber harvesting in Minnesota occurs in the winter, when soils and wetlands are frozen. This prevents erosion, soil compaction and wetland impacts. However, timber can be safely harvested in summer on dry upland sites. In fact, some tree species reproduce better when soils are disturbed by summer harvesting.
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4. How can I ensure that my interests are considered during the timber harvest?
The best ways to protect your interests are to get a professional forester involved and check the reputation of the logger contracted to cut your trees. Your forester should help draft a written contract for your timber sale. This contract should spell out exactly what timber is to be harvested, how it is cut, when logging will be complete, sale price, environmental concerns etc.

Many times a down payment or security bond is required before cutting begins. Some timber sale contracts require full payment for the estimated timber value prior to cutting and then the difference between estimated and actual cords cut is reconciled after the timber sale has been completed.
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5. How do I find a professional forester?

A good professional forester has a 2 or 4 year degree in Forestry with some experience in managing a timber sale. Most large forest products companies in Minnesota have staff foresters to assist landowners with their forest management activities. The Minnesota Association of Consulting Foresters has a list of independent foresters. Most state (DNR), county, and private industry foresters can help you find a reputable forester and provide references. Some foresters are certified through the Society of American Foresters (SAF) or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) ®.
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6. How do I know where my property lines are or get my land surveyed?
You can either have your land surveyed by a commercial surveyor or your forester may be able to establish the timber harvest boundaries. If you are proficient with GPS, you may be able to get coordinates or other survey information from the local county surveyor and establish approximate property lines. [Note: these are not legal survey lines so constructing roads or buildings close to those lines is not recommended.] It is recommended to get property line agreements from neighboring landowners to help prevent litigation about location of the property line.

  
7. How do I know if the logger is a trained professional?

The Minnesota Loggers Education Program (MLEP), is one of the best in the nation. Logging professionals are trained in environmental guidelines, safety, wildlife habitat identification, new technologies and many other facets of logging. Your logger should be MLEP trained, carry general liability and workmen’s compensation insurance, and have a good reputation amongst foresters in the area. References can be checked through state, county or private industry staff foresters.
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8. How long will it take to cut my timber?
Most logging operations can cut about 200-500 cords per week but again, this is dependent on a variety of factors.

You can structure your timber sale contact for any length of time. Typically most timber sale contracts are for 1- 3 years.
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9. What is the minimum number of acres a logger can cut?
That depends on the trees, their value, access to the trees, number of trees, etc. Contact a forester for further information. Typically less than 20 acres is not feasible for a large logging contractor to operate.

  
10. Do I need to check local zoning regulations?
Your local municipality may have restrictions of vegetation removal, so check the local zoning regulations prior to commencing a timber sale operation.

 

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