ENHANCED
OWNER'S NAME:
Maps: SOIL MAPS:- Map 20 - Map 19
STREET ADDRESS:
CITY: STATE: ZIP:
COUNTY: TELEPHONE NO:
ACRES COVERED IN RECOMMENDATIONS: 180 (estimated) AERIAL PHOTOS:1995; color infrared
LANDOWNER PRIMARY GOAL STATEMENT: Mr. contacted to assess wood, wildlife, recreation, and water resources. He is particularly interested in opportunities to manage this land for production of quality wood products - particularly grade sawlogs. He may consider employing land management practices to improve wildlife habitat and sustain forest health. The intention of this plan is to identify proactive forest stewardship opportunities and offer suggestions for management on both a long and short term basis.A glossary of stewardship terms and a listing of forestry related supply companies are included at the end of this report. Many resources are available to landowners to help them manage their valuable land resource. These include but are not limited to; the Forest Owner's Association), Cooperative Extension, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS),, consulting foresters, and the .
PROPERTY LOCATION: (Sketch map, additional sheets are attached).This plan evaluates forested properties in the towns of and in and counties, respectively. Part one (I) of this plan evaluates the 20 acre parcel in the town of south of Road adjacent to Brook. Part two (II) of this plan evaluates four contiguous tax map parcels covering approximately 160 acres in the town of east of Street.
FORESTER: TELEPHONE: ( DATE:
OFFICE: CITY: STATE: ZIP CODE:
As owner, I (we) agree that this management plan reflects my goals and intentions for management of this property. (Signature only required if applying for USDA cost share land improvement program(s)
____________________________________
Signature
MANAGEMENT UNIT OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Part I - Land in the Town of (20 acres)
Unit A - (4 acres).
Situated on productive Palmyra and Phelps gravelly loam soils that are gently sloping to the north and west, this area is best described as as an even-aged medium sized sawtimber stand with an average overstory tree diameter of approximately 15" at breast height. This northern hardwood forest stand is dominated by sugar maple, eastern hemlock, and red maple which together comprise 90% of the forest by density measurement. To assess general forest conditions, limited stand analysis was conducted utilizing the U.S. Forest Service Northeast Decision Model (NED). When analyzing forests, foresters most often employ statistical sampling techniques, thereby reducing the need to measure every single tree. In the analysis conducted here, only trees greater than 6" in diameter breast height (DBH) were included. However, ocular estimates of seedling and sapling trees were made. Overall, natural forest regeneration reestablishment appears to be fair to moderate throughout most of the understory of the forest. Shading of the forest floor and browsing by white tailed deer are together preventing large numbers of young tree seedlings and saplings from becoming reestablished naturally.
In terms of species composition, the stand is comprised of sugar maple (67%), eastern hemlock (17%), red maple (7%), yellow poplar (5%), and American beech (5%). An estimated 161 trees (greater than 6" DBH) can be found per acre in the forest. The vast majority of the larger mature trees are comprised are sugar maple (123 trees per acre) with lesser amounts of eastern hemlock, red maple, yellow poplar, and American beech. Effective stand age is about 95 years with the average number of years to economic maturity being 21 years. Relative stand density is 102% of the average maximum stocking expected in undisturbed stands of similar size and species composition. This density is higher than optimum for best individual tree growth. At this relative density, growth rate of the biggest trees is probably moderate, while growth rate of the medium smaller sized trees is probably fair, and natural mortality due to overcrowding will likely be moderate.
Total growing stock amounts to 130 square feet basal area per acre with an estimated 16 cords of pulpwood and 5,800 board feet of sawtimber per acre Doyle Log Rule. Trees of acceptable quality for future growing stock provide enough stocking by themselves to warrant stand management.
Generally, the forest appears to be in good health. Additionally, the forest has a wide array of herbaceous plants largely associated with some of the most productive forest sites in County. These plants include blue cohosh, trout lily, and white trillium.
Option 1 - Allow the forest to grow naturally.
One management option is to allow the forest to grow without human intervention, become overmature, and reestablish itself naturally. Catastrophic wind and ice events will naturally create openings for a new generation of trees to become established on the forest floor. Since this forest is even-aged, it is likely that many of the trees in this forest will mature within 30 years of each other. Therefore, without intervention, the forest will at some point enter a phase of higher tree mortality (death) as the even-aged component dies due to old age. Eventually, without human intervention and/or severe disturbance from a weather event, the forest very well may reach equilibrium and develop an uneven-aged structure. This assumes that ample opportunities for natural tree establishment in the forest under story continue.
Option 2 - Conduct noncommercial forest stand improvement.
Noncommercial forest stand improvement is often considered in younger forest stands. Because much of this forest is nearing economic maturity, limited opportunities exist to conduct noncommercial forest stand improvement thinning at this time. However, light noncommercial area wide thinning, chiefly from below the main canopy of the forest, would provide additional light resources to younger trees in the forest under story as well as herbaceous plants, thereby providing the impetus for more diverse forest structure and a greater number of tree species.
Option 3 - Commercial thin/harvest.
Opportunities exist in portions of the forest to conduct a commercial thin/harvest to reduce forest density to optimum levels, thereby improving forest health. Long term, it is recommended that the forest be managed to develop an uneven-aged structure. Managed uneven-aged forests can in some instances appear to have characteristics similar to old growth forests. However, since the forest is very even-aged in structure at this point, it will take many years to make this forest uneven-aged.
If a commercial thin/harvest is employed, emphasis should be replaced on removal of unacceptable growing stock (UGS) from the forest. Unacceptable growing stock is generally defined as trees that will not improve in health or vigor in the next 15-20 years. It is very appropriate, however, to leave occasional trees of poor vigor, away from structures and recreational trails, particularly if these trees are functioning as homes for wildlife. Long term, the goal of uneven-aged management is to develop a forest with diverse structure which is comprised of three or more diameter classes. Slowly, this is occurring in the forest as trees are felled by wind or die from disease and openings are created in the forest overstory. To develop this forest into an uneven-aged structure, the initial thin/harvest would concentrate on removal of diseased, damaged, or too closely spaced, or overmature stems on a priority basis.
If properly marked, this would result in the removal of approximately one-third of the forest density at this time. Studies conducted by the US Forest Service have repeatedly illustrated that removal of one-third the forest canopy or less result in minimal changes in evapotranspiration. For illustration purposes, prescription treatment specifications were developed using data collected from the forest and processed through the Northeast Decision Model. If the stand was to be properly managed at this time, the following marking instructions should be applied to reduce relative stand density to 70%, leaving 98 square feet of basal area per acre. Poorest quality trees should be removed on a priority basis in the size classes show below:
Cut one out of two trees from the pole size class (6-11" DBH)
Cut one out of five trees from the small sawtimber size class (12-17" DBH)
Cut one out of three trees from the medium sawtimber size class (18-23" DBH)
If properly employed, about 63% of the trees cut will be unacceptable growing stock (UGS). This ideally will result in removal of about 100% of the UGS in the stand and about 100% of the merchantable size UGS. An estimated 1,431 board feet (Doyle Log Rule) and 5.7 cords would be removed on a per acre basis if this type of marking guide was employed.
Unit B - (2 acres).
Unit B is an even aged small sawtimber sized forest located on slightly wetter Phelps soils adjacent to the floodplain of Brook. Average size of the overstory trees found here is just over 12 inches in diameter at breast height. Sugar maple (42%), American basswood (13%), white ash (13%), eastern hemlock (10%), black cherry (6%), and green ash (6%) comprise approximately 90% of the forest by density. Associated tree species include yellow birch, yellow poplar, and bitternut hickory.
Options 1 and 2 are possible as recommended for unit A; otherwise -
Option 3 - Commercial thin/harvest.
Opportunities exist in portions of the forest to conduct a commercial thin/harvest to reduce forest density to optimum levels, thereby improving forest health. Long term, it is recommended that the forest be managed to develop an uneven-aged structure. Managed uneven-aged forests can in some instances appear to have characteristics similar to old growth forests. However, since the forest is very even-aged in structure at this point, it will take many years to make this forest uneven-aged.
Recommmended marking guide for a sustainable commercial thin/harvest, Unit B.
Cut one out of three trees from the pole size class (6-11" DBH)
Cut one out of four trees from the small sawtimber size class (12-17" DBH)
Cut one out of six trees from the medium sawtimber size class (18-23" DBH
Note: Access appears to be restricted to units A and B; a protected trout stream and regulated wetland make it very difficult to remove forest products directly north to Rd.
Unit C - (7 acres).
Unit C is a wonderful conifer forested wetland that is reminiscent
of wetland forests in wilderness areas.
This portion of the ownership provides outstanding fishing and hunting
opportunities. To a forester, it is best described as a 70 year old pole timber
stand size forest wetland, with some occassionally larger hemlock and white
pine scattered throughout the area. It is largely a softwood forest stand, with
eastern hemlock, northern white cedar, eastern white pine dominating the
area. Associated plants include
hardwoods - particularly black ash, yellow birch, and green ash. Additionally, this unit comprises a portion
of a regulated wetland designated as “
An estimated 2,289 trees per acre can be found here - but many of them are between 1 and 12 inches. Approximately 1,186 black ash trees exist per acre, but the majority of these are less than 6 inches in diameter at breast height. An estimated 917 northern white cedar trees per acre are in this area; again, most of the plants are small.
Wetlands provide outstanding food and cover for wildlife, particularly white tailed deer. Northern white cedar provides outstanding browse for deer, particularly during the harsh winter months. Wetlands improve water quality by filtering out sediments and reducing peak flows.
As a matter of fact, this unit acts a part of a larger travel corridor that follows along Brook, well known trout fishery from just east of the Village of to south of the . It effectively connects the southern portion of the town of to swamp. Thus, it helps connect adjacent habitats throughout the north central portion of the town.
Recommendation: Wet ground conditions and the presence of
Unit D - (7 acres).
Unit D is also a portion of regulated wetland 13. However, it is a forested wetland that is dominated by wetland poletimber sized hardwoods - particularly red maple (75%) and green ash (25%). An estimated 248 trees over 6 inches in diameter at breast height can be found per acre. Average forest density is in the optimum range for best individual tree growth. At this density, growth rate of the biggest trees is excellent, while growth rate of the medium and smaller-sized trees is good, and mortality due to crowding is low. Average diameter of the typical tree found in the overstory of the forest is 8.2 inches in diameter at breast height.
This area is subject to seasonal flooding from Brook. During very dry years, it may be possible to harvest trees in the drier fringes of the unit. However, as with unit C, its greatest value is for recreational and ecological purposes. Additionally, effective stand age is estimated to be 44 years, with an additional 52 years remaining until the stand is economically mature.
Recommendation: No commercial or noncommercial improvement cutting is recommended for the next 10 years.
Part II - Land in the Town of
Unit E - (10 acres).
Unit E is best described as a small sawtimber sized a red
maple, green ash, and elm forest of fair quality. Seasonal wetness of the ground limits tree
root penetration and individual tree growth. Overall forest density is moderate
at this time. Associated hardwoods include aspen, a short lived light loving
tree that is in the willow family.
Recommendation: Occasionally cut damaged, diseased, or poorly formed trees that are unlikely to improve in health and/or quality as firewood. No commercial harvesting is recommended; review stand in 10 years.
Unit F - (14 acres)
This portion of the ownership is early is generally comprised of early successional trees, shrubs, and grasses. Included in mapping is a powerline right of way that acts as an outstanding wildlife travel corridor and provides habitat for song bird species that require early successional cover.
Recommendation: Consider placing bird boxes along habitat edges for eastern blue bird, screech owl, or the American kestrel. Additionally instructions on bird box placement and construction is available from the Forestry Office - free of charge.
Unit G - (7 acres).
Unit G is former pasture on very well drained course textured soil that is gradually reverting into hardwood forest. Included in mapping is a small sand/gravel pit less than an acre in size. Trees found here include sapling and pole sized aspen, red maple, black cherry, northern red oak, ash, and sugar maple.
Recommendation: The forest is too young to be managed commercially. Selected trees can be “released” on an occasional noncommercial basis.
Units H1 - (7 acres) and H2 (6 acres).
Located on rich well drained calcareous
Please note: Included in mapping is stand “H2" in the northeast corner of the property that was identified by the attached 1995 color infrared aerial photography. 1963 USDA stereo black and white photography, and evaluation of topographic maps. Inventory data was only collected from unit H1, the western most stand. Based on this information stand characteristics should be very similar.
Relative stand density is 72% of the average maximum stocking in undisturbed stands of similar size and tree species composition. This density is in the optimum range for best individual tree growth. At this relative density, growth rate of the biggest trees is excellent, while the growth rate of the medium and smaller-sized trees is good, and mortality (natural tree death due to overcrowding) is low. Sugar maple (78%), white ash (8%), and black cherry (6%) comprise 92% of the forest by volume. Additional species noted include bitternut hickory (3%), American basswood (3%), and American beech (2%).
Total growing stock amounts to 90 square feet of basal area per acre. If divided into pulpwood and sawtimber, the net merchantable volume is 10 cords of pulp wood and 3,079 board feet of sawtimber Doyle log rule. Tree of acceptable quality for future growing stock provide enough stocking by themselves to warrant stand management.
Recommendation: This very good quality forest has not reached financial maturity. Although material of sufficient quality and quantity is available for harvest, greater long term return will be achieved if the stand is allowed to grow for another 10 to 20 years. No thinning is needed to improve individual tree growth.
Unit I - (100 acres).
Recent rains and snowmelt made it very difficult to due a complete field inspection of this area. However, limited forest sampling was conducted to ascertain current forest conditions. Unit I is best described as an even aged forested wetland with red maple, silver maple, green ash, slippery elm, and American elm being the dominant trees encountered. Average overstory tree size is approximately 10 inches at breast height (poletimber sized). However, scattered large multiple stemmed red and silver maple exceed 30 inches in diameter. Overall effective stand age is about 55 years. The average number of years to financial maturity is 43 years.
Total growing stock amounts to 85 square feet of basal areas per acre. If divided into pulpwood and sawtimber, the net merchantable volume is 10 cords of pulp wood and 851 board feet of sawtimber per acre, Doyle log rule. Trees of acceptable quality for future growing stock are inadequate to provide a fully stocked stand in themselves.
Recommendation: Due to wet soil conditions, intensive forest management is not possible. Some portions of the unit could be managed under very dry or extremely cold conditions. Other portions are unlikely to dry out or freeze throughly enough to facilitate harvesting operations. regulated wetlands are protected and cannot be clearcut or filled without a permit. Selection cutting, however, can be conducted by the landowner during very dry or very cold weather conditions.
SOIL RESOURCES
A careful examination of the USDA Soils maps for these
parcels illustrates what a “casual observer” can readily see when visiting the
as he or she views the relative size and height of some of the trees. Upland forests on the ownership are established on some of the most
productive agricultural soils in the regjon.
These soils are specifically identified in the soil survey as
Thus, soils on this property vary in depth, drainage, and productivity. The ability of a site to grow healthy and vigorous trees is highly dependent on soil characteristics. Certain species of trees are more adapted to growing in poorer drained soils, and vice versa. As such, careful attention to protecting this resource is highly recommended. Proper road and skid trail design should strive to avoid excessively wet areas when possible and keep roads parallel to topographic contours.
Logging operations should not be allowed during excessively
wet periods, especially in the early spring and late fall. Water diversion devices such as culverts,
geotextile fabric, and broad based dips should be included as part of a timber
sale agreement as required. Soils currently found on central landscapes have
strongly been influenced by the
Clean water is just one of the many benefits that healthy forests provide. Forests protect and enhance watersheds by; intercepting rainfall, filtering rainwater, reducing soil loss through erosion, slowing water runoff, and keeping soils moist and cool through shading. Highly erodible sites can be stabilized and slowly improved through reforestation. Soils are actually created by decaying organic matter, and nutrients are recycled.
WATER RESOURCES
Forests and the deep soils they help create typically provide an efficient and effective means for snow melt and rainfall to filtrate into the ground, thereby preventing overland flow of surface water even during very heavy rain events. The watershed values associated with these ownerships should not be overlooked. As such, if commercial management occurs, no more than one-third of the total density of the forest should be removed in any one cutting. Perhaps most importantly, size and scope of logging equipment must be kept to acceptable levels and proper timing of harvesting operations is critical to insure minimal environmental impact.
Surface water originating on the town of ownership flows to the north and west into Brook, one of the most popular recreational fishing streams in the county. With proper planning and assistance from a professional forester, the risks associated with negatively impacting the environment can be minimized substantially. All harvesting operations regardless of how well managed can be expected to lightly disturb some of the topsoil in the forest. However, if this is done during frozen or dry conditions it may actually benefit the forest ecosystem by disturbing the seed in the forest floor, thereby encouraging natural tree reestablishment, particularly heavy seeded species such as bitternut hickory and northern red oak.
RECREATION AND AESTHETICS
The changes in topography and soil types combined with variation in forest cover provide interesting diversity, and provide outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities such as walking, wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, Nordic skiing, or snowshoeing. Recreational access could be improved by constructing additional recreational trail loops. The forest effectively buffers traffic noise, filters dust, absorbs carbon dioxide, produces oxygen, and provides outstanding fall color. Management strategies that keep the forest healthly and vigorous will increase these values.
WILDLIFE HABITAT
Hard mast from trees such as red oak, shagbark hickory, and American beech is valuable to squirrels, raccoon, turkey and deer. Soft mast from plants such as wild apples, raspberry, shrub dogwoods, serviceberry, and hawthorns also are an excellent source of food for birds and many mammals. The "edge" formed by natural vegetation bordering open or agricultural lands provides a variety of woody and herbaceous plants and subsequent habitats. Snags or dead trees may be left to enhance habitat for den and cavity nesting wildlife.
It is recognized that many bird species nest in snags and feed heavily on insects, thereby reducing the potential for insect outbreaks. These snags should be creatively left in groups rather than spacing at an equal distance over the entire parcel. Additionally, overmature or trees of little commercial value that produce hard mast such as beechnuts, oak acorns, and hickory nuts may be left as a valuable food source for wildlife. If at all possible, tall and large trees should be selected. However, snags in close proximity to trails, roads, or structures that present a safety hazard should be removed.
Animal diversity is often a function of plant diversity, which can be created by actively managing forest stands, and maintaining open areas such as pasture and hayfields. As one would expect, land management activities on adjacent parcels of land will influence wildlife populations, particularly that of turkey and deer. A hedgerow is an excellent example of a wildlife corridor; it provides a means of travel between open and forested areas. Patch openings can be created in forest stands from 1/5 acre to 2 acres in size, depending on the size of the parcel, the forest type, topography, and the overall objectives of the landowner.
Construction and placement of nesting boxes for owls or blue birds is a popular activity with many landowners. Creation of brush piles from improvement thinnings or releasing of fruit trees can enhance rabbit habitat as well.
The following is a summary of wildlife species potentially expected on this property;
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MAMMALS |
BIRDS REPTILES |
AMPHIBIANS |
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white tailed deer |
wild turkey |
American toad |
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cottontail rabbit |
great horned owl |
common garter snake |
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gray squirrel |
robin |
spring peeper |
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red/gray fox |
chickadee |
wood frog |
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raccoon |
red eyed vireo |
salamanders |
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woodchuck |
mourning dove |
brook trout |
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white-footed mouse |
eastern wood pewee |
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striped skunk |
blue jay |
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deer mouse |
ruffed grouse |
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coyote |
scarlet tanager |
|
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chipmunk |
woodthrush |
|
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beaver |
veery |
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|
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American goldfinch |
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|
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wood duck |
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|
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tree swallow |
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great blue heron |
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Canada goose |
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Additionally, the several USDA programs provides cost shares for protecting wetlands, improving wildlife habitat by creating spring seeps, building nesting boxes, establishment of wildlife corridors, and creation of wildlife openings. Contact your local USDA office for specific information on funding availability.
THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES
A check of the Natural Heritage mapping system indicates no threatened or endangered species of plants or animals are known to exist on the property at this time.
No widespread insect or disease problems were observed on the property. Further, no recent evidence of wildfire was noted on this property. Generally speaking, wildfire does not pose a significant threat to this site under typical weather conditions. During harvest operations, timber harvesting contracts should require "top lopping" along frequently traveled areas to keep harvested tree tops close to the ground, which will promote faster decay and reduce the threat of fire. Pruning conifer stands will reduce the chances of fire by reducing the available fuel within the forest stand. Unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and open burning are a hazard during dry conditions. Ideally, the landowner should preplan access routes and identify the closest water supply for various areas of the property in the event of a fire. Careful observation during very dry periods is advised as well.
The recommendations made in this plan are based on the landowner's goals and objectives and may be amended. Application for USDA cost shares may be made by contacting the USDA Farm Service Agency office located at . Technical assistance with soil and erosion issues may be obtained by contacting the County USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) at.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Use forest management opportunities as a method to achieve your goals and objectives of ownership. Timber harvesting, if conducted with a "vision", gives you a chance to proactively improve quality, health, and vigor of forests which would otherwise cost you money. Additionally, wildlife habitat may be improved, landscape and ecosystem diversity enhanced, water quality protected, and recreational access enhanced by the proper layout of skid trails. All of these activities represent a long term investment in your property that will result in increased value and enjoyment of your forest land over the long run.
2. Determine and clearly blaze and paint all boundary lines to reduce chances of timber trespass. "Posted" signs and corner pins are easily removed by trespassers. Have a professional survey done if necessary. It is suggested that separate paint colors be utilized for boundary line marking and forest management.
3. Develop a working relationship with a cooperating consulting forester. A good consultant will listen to your goals and objectives of ownership and suggested specific ways to achieve them on the ground. He or she can provide more detailed services including forest stand analysis, forest inventory, timber marking, standing timber volume determination, and timber management systems. Consultants will supervise timber harvesting operations to insure that the work is completed to your specifications. consulting foresters have agreed follow the code of ethics developed by the Society of American Foresters. Please refer to the list of consulting foresters for a professional in your area. It is suggested that you contact several consultants and ask for references from clients in your area. Many consultants are members of professional organizations such as the Society of American Foresters (SAF) or the Association of Consulting Foresters of America, Inc. (ACF).
4. If your cooperating consulting forester is marking timber, ask for the opportunity to review what type of management scheme your forest is being managed (uneven-aged or even-aged) and the prescription being applied for marking of the trees.
5. Always sell forest products on a written contractual competitive bid basis with detailed provisions for designation and location of timber to be cut, skid road design and construction and erosion control/critical area seeding. A performance bond will help ensure that the work is completed to the specifications stated in the contract. A sample contract is available free upon request by contacting the forestry office in .
6. Consider joining an organization such as the Forest Owners Association that promotes your interests as a private woodland owner. FOA also maintains a database of foresters, merchants, sawmillers, etc.
7. Take a moment to review the enclosed brochure on the Tree Farm System. Your property may qualify for this program which provides recognition to forest owners that manage their land proactively.