Most landowners are unaware of the true value of their timber and are easily misled by potential buyers (see our September/October 1996 newsletter). You can avoid this problem by having us inventory your timber before it is sold. Once the volume, quality, and value of the trees has been assessed, we will make harvest recommendations that will best meet your needs while preserving the integrity of the property. Once you make your management decision, we can act as your representative during all phases of the timber sale.

	Each tree to be removed in a selective harvest is carefully marked. Our goal is to minimize environmental impact while maximizing long-term timber production.

We first prepare a bid invitation which outlines the terms and conditions of the sale. The bid invitation is distributed to insured, reputable buyers. If the timber is sold and the title is clear, we assist with the preparation of the timber sales contract and supervise the harvesting operation. During the timber sale and harvest, especially where absentee landowners are concerned, Forest Resources provides periodic progress reports. This process enables maximum control over the operation and maximum yields for the landowner.

There are many facets to forest management other than timber sales. As a timber and land management consulting firm, our scope of work also includes such activities as:

• Reforesting cutover tracts or interplanting thinned tracts to maximize timber production

• Creating new forests by planting open or unproductive land

• Developing management plans for individual properties based on the landowners long-term objectives

• Conducting prescribed burns to reduce natural fuels, improve wildlife habitat, and create an open understory

• Preventing or controlling harmful insects and diseases

• Establishing desirable shade and ornamental trees to improve aesthetics

• Clearly marking boundaries and improving road systems

Forest management is a continuous process which requires informed decision making on the part of the landowner. At Forest Resources, we are committed to educating our clients about pertinent issues, such as responsible timber harvesting methods, protection from less than honest timber buyers, and using Best Management Practices to preserve water and soil quality.

We monitor logging operations to ensure that merchantability of felled timber is maximized.

	Forest Resources can tailor timber management plans to meet your objectives. For example, this newly-established forest can either be managed as a maximum-yield, even-aged stand, or it can be selectively harvested over time to create a sustained-yield forest.