Manage Your Forest Investment

values assessment: developing your goals and objectives Manage Your Forest Investment Developing Land Management Goals and Objectives Why Plan? The A...
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values assessment: developing your goals and objectives

Manage Your Forest Investment Developing Land Management Goals and Objectives Why Plan? The ABC’s of Management Planning

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Developing Land Management Goals and Objectives

Objectives”, lists various activities and a range of income-producing options. It should be helpful in thinking through your current needs and longterm desires. Think of this stage as the “why” portion of your management plan.

If you’ve taken the steps to map and walk your forested land, then you’re on your way to a well thought out management plan. You should take great pride in having part of Kentucky’s wonderful woodlands under your management direction.

The second worksheet, “Family Resource Inventory”, asks questions that will be helpful in determining if your long term goals and objectives are achievable given resources you have at hand. Your daughter and son-in-law with six kids may not have time to help you map and inventory all 130 acres. Likewise, if your son is an ATV enthusiast you may consider permanent stream crossings to protect stream dwellers like small mouth bass.

Whether you purchased or inherited your land, you’ve probably given a lot of thought to the possibilities it provides: wildlife habitat, income potential and various types of recreation. One of the biggest challenges of developing management objectives will be to prioritize your interests in the forest’s many uses. It’s also important to discuss your wishes with your family—especially if you would like them to take a part in seeing through your long term vision of the forest.

When assessing the tangible and intangible values of your property, it’s important to remember that in time, both types of value will increase. With each passing year and good management, your trees will increase in size, wildlife will be more abundant, soil conditions can improve and you’ll see more opportunities for recreation.

A values assessment is really just a matter of thinking through and writing down what land Other Informed Decision Making Tools and water features are important to you The focus of this handbook is to help you and why. It will help you (along with better understand the many values of Value by a forester or other professional) chart your forest land and the importance definition does not a course of action that meets your of planning to meet your immediate have to mean monetary needs and desires now and into the needs and long term goals. It does gain, but can also mean future. not aim to cover the technical the intangible benefits derived from the natural resources within your forest.

Included in this chapter are tools to help with your values assessment. Even if you plan on working with a professional forester, these activities will be very helpful in both thinking through and communicating your objectives. The first worksheet, “Prioritizing your

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aspects of silviculture or the mechanics of a forest inventory, timber cruise or timber sale. There are state agencies and consulting professionals who can help with those activities. There are also programs that offer financial assistance on a cost-share basis for planning and management of your forest. See the “Contacts” section of the Appendix.

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“In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.” Dr. Roger S. Ulrich Texas A&M University

“Healthy, mature trees add an average of 10 percent to a property’s value.” USDA Forest Service

“The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.” U.S. Department of Agriculture

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Trees filter water and help regulate water flow.

Nine Reasons to Value Trees

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Trees, especially their roots, help to filter underground water and manage water flow. In wet weather trees absorb water, then gradually release it during dry conditions.

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1

Trees make effective sound barriers. Trees muffle urban noise almost as effectively as stone walls. Trees, planted at strategic points in a neighborhood or around your house, can abate major noises from freeways and airports.

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Trees become “carbon sinks.” To produce its food, a tree absorbs and locks away carbon dioxide, a global warming suspect. An urban forest is a carbon storage area that can lock up as much carbon as it produces.

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Trees act as windbreaks. During windy and cold seasons, trees act as windbreaks. A windbreak can lower heating bills up to 30%. A reduction in wind can also reduce the drying effect on other vegetation behind the windbreak.

Trees produce oxygen. A mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year.

Trees cleanse the air.

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Trees help cleanse the air by trapping airborne particles, reducing heat and absorbing pollutants like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Trees remove air pollution by trapping particles and through respiration.

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Trees increase property values.

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Trees shade and cool. Shade from trees reduces the need for air conditioning in summer. In winter, trees break the force of winter winds, lowering heating costs. Studies have shown that parts of cities without cooling shade from trees can literally be “heat sinks” with temperatures as much as 12 degrees Fahrenheit higher than surrounding areas.

Real estate values increase when trees beautify a property or neighborhood. Trees can increase the property value of your home by 15% or more.

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Trees fight soil erosion. Trees fight soil erosion, conserve rainwater, and reduce water runoff and sediment deposit after storms. photo illustration: Sara Thilman

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Prioritizing your Objectives

1

not important

5

moderately important

10

very important

Understanding and prioritizing your objectives is key to good forest management. On a scale of 1 (least important) through 10 (most important), rate how interested you are in the following objectives. Keep in mind this is only a sample list. If you and your family have other interests not listed, you can cross out and add to this sample as needed. When finished, total each column to help prioritize these objectives. Note that column 4 already totals 40. Water and soil protection is essential for every landowner regardless of your specific management objectives.

e

m inco

Growing timber as an investment. _______

Supplementing your income through the sale of non-timber forest products. _______

Using timber to cover planned family expenses like college or a wedding. _______

Leaving a valuable asset for children or grandchildren. _______

t bita

a fe h

li wild

Enhancing or diversifying wildlife habitat

d n an o i t ea recr hetics aest

Developing a trail system for recreation.

_______

_______

Increasing wildlife pop- Having a visually ulations. attractive forest.

_______

_______

Protecting threatened Going camping and or endangered wildhiking. life on your property. _______

Observing wildlife in its natural state.

_______

Protecting fish and aquatic habitats.

10 _______

Preserving a clean water supply for now and the future.

10 _______

Conserving fertile topsoil.

10

_______

_______

Using your forest as a living laboratory to learn more about trees and wildflowers.

Learning about practical ways to conserve water and protect water supply.

_______

_______

totals:

10

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Adapted from Forest Health—Community Wealth, North Carolina State University (Rick Hamilton) and Tennessee Forest *A*Syst:Self Assessment to Prioritize your Forest Uses.

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Family Resource Inventory

Adapted from the Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program, Dylan Jenkins

Basic property information Location of property:

Amount of forested acreage:

Date the property was acquired or inherited:

Open field/agricultural acreage: outdoor hobbies and land management skills

Family resources

cts odu r p ? rt est ed? lity for ope abi g g r p g g m p a esir y s ID mt. pin nin lc fro to r d tching /Fishin a tud raphy o e c e lan try Skills / Tree ying r Sale ife Mg i ng g/Cam Ridin ng S c i s P d m a n g n y g e e o g e a l e n w d ti b se n to de ph ti ur in al ve es ld at nt inc dist nee Bird Boa Cav Gar Hiki Hor Hun Nat Pho Est For Leg Pla Sur Tim Wi les)

mi y? (

family member or stakeholder name

age

Goals and Vision

What are the goals you have in mind for your property? It may be helpful to think of both long term and short term goals. Using those goals, try to write an overall vision statement for your property. goal:

vision:

goal: goal: 36 36

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Why Plan? You’ve likely heard the adage that “failing to plan is planning to fail.” This is especially true of your forest management plan. Conducting a timber harvest or other management activity without a plan won’t necessarily make your harvest a failure, but it’s pretty risky. Your forest land is a valuable asset. To make the most of it— and get the most from it—you should plan accordingly. This Handbook has taken you through the steps to map your property, walk your woodlands and set goals for the future of your forest investment. If you’ve completed these activities, you’re well on your way to developing your forest management plan. These activities were all designed so that you could conduct them with little or no assistance. These next steps, though, are likely to require the assistance of a forest professional. Read on to learn more about what else should be included in your management plan. But before you take any action, carefully consider the advantages of working with someone who is specifically skilled in forest management, timber harvesting and timber marketing. The special section on pages 46-48 provides more information about working with consulting foresters. The Handbook index also includes contact information about forest professionals working in Kentucky. Most Division of Forestry services are provided at no cost to the landowners.

goals and a schedule of activities for the woods or portion of the woods. Generally the larger the acreage and the more diverse the woodlands, the more detailed the plan needs to be. If you’re like most forest owners, you have a limited amount of time to devote to forestry work. A well thought out plan will help you utilize the time you have available to reap the best future returns. In other words, a management plan will help you set priorities for the work that needs to be accomplished.

The Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of your Management Plan: 1. Map of your Property

This is the “where” of your plan. The resources listed on page 29 can help you obtain a map of your property. Make sure you mark the legal boundaries, natural features like streams, coves and caves and include any signs of human disturbances.

The How-to’s of a Management Plan

You may also want your map to include details about the major kinds of trees and the size of trees on the wooded portion of your property. For planning purposes, it’s often helpful to treat a large or diverse forest as several unique parcels or woodlots. These divisions may separate large or mature timber areas from those areas having only pole size timber or an old field that is just restocking. In forestry terms, a group of trees that is relatively uniform in size/age or soil type/ topography is called a stand.

A management plan describes your property,

On your map, include the approximate acreage of

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h STAND - An easily defined area of the forest that is relatively uniform in species composition or age and can be managed as a single unit.

h TIMBER CRUISE - A survey of forestland to locate timber and estimate its quantity by species, products, size, quality, or other characteristics.

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h MENSURATION or BIOMETRICS The measurement and calculation of volume, growth, and development of individual trees or stands and their timber products.

h A good resource for various topics related to forest measurement and assessment is http://www.forestry.uga.edu/warnell/html/ service/library/. Select Forest Economics and Taxes, then Forest Economics and Assessing Various Community Tree and Forest Values With Inventories.

each parcel or stand. A good way to estimate an acre is an area 209’ wide by 209’ long. For any parcel you plan on harvesting, it’s also advisable to do an inventory of the standing timber. This activity is often referred to as a timber cruise. Taking inventory of each individual tree may be more labor intensive than needed. There are statistical ways to estimate the trees in a stand. A forester can help you with this and other forms of measuring timber (called mensuration) such as point sampling and timber cruising.

2. Management Goals and Objectives This is the “why” section of your plan. This can be a few short sentences about your goals and expectations from your forestland. If you complete the activity worksheets Prioritizing your Objectives and Family Resource Inventory on pages 35 and 36 you’ve got most of your bases covered. Include any pertinent details that may dictate forest activity. For example, if you plan on using income from timber to offset tuition costs for your youngest son, include this and the year he plans on starting college. Even if you plan on working with a forestry professional, it’s up to you to communicate your goals and objectives. In turn, a professional will tailor their advice to best meet your needs.

It is helpful to know some of the basic terminology used in a timber cruise. Individual trees are typically measured by diameter at breast height or dbh. This measurement is taken 4 1/2 ’ up the tree from the ground. There are measurement sticks and calipers that calculate this measurement. Or you can measure the circumference around the tree and divide it by 3.14. photo: Sara Thilman

h BOARD FOOT VOLUME is determined by: length (feet) x width (inches) x thickness (inches)/divided by 12.

Timber volumes can be expressed Core sampling is a common method used 3. Management in cords, cubic feet or the to accurately identify the age of a tree. Activities and most commonly-used In addition to counting the tree rings, it Timeline term—board feet. Volume meaalso gives indication of growth spurts or This section, describing the surements attempt to estimate stunts often due to weather conditions. “what,” “how”and “when” is the number of square feet of 1” the meat of your managethick boards (board feet) which ment plan. can be sawed out of a given log or tree. Using the corresponding map, you will specify Technically a board foot is a unit of wood meayour management goal or priority and a course of suring 144 cubic inches. A 1-inch by 12-inch action for each woodland parcel or stand. There shelving board that is 1 foot long is equal to 1 are several case studies at the end of this chapter board foot. that provide examples of the landowner’s priority and the management activities recommended.

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Determining the right management activities to In Kentucky there is typically enough species accomplish your goals is as much art as it is diversity that this practice isn’t needed. science. That is why you should work with a natural resource or forestry professional. Contact Release Cutting is a cutting made in a stand of information for this type of professional trees between the ages of 1 to 20 years, technical assistance is listed in to reduce competition of older overthe appendix of this handbook. topping trees. The older trees you There is no Even when working with a take out may be good species prescriptive measure that applies professional, it’s helpful to but of poor form. Crooked to all situations. If a logger knocks on have some understanding or damaged trees are not your door and offers you a set amount of of management measures commercially valuable, but money for your timber, it’s safe to say they don’t and techniques. block sunlight. So they have your best interest in mind. Don’t impulsively be are sometimes cleared to swayed by the offer of cash. Many Kentucky landownIntermediate promote the growth of ers have made that mistake.You risk the health Cutting Practices younger trees. of your trees, water, soil and the future of your The average forested tract forest. What’s more, you probably won’t get in Kentucky is less than 50 Thinning reduces the number fair market value for your timber. acres and is a community of of trees per acre. This practice small, intermediate and largestimulates tree growth while consize trees. Under natural growing centrating wood production on a conditions, trees may grow too close limited number of selected trees. The together and require intermediate treatment if frequency of thinnings during the life of a maximum growth is one of your objectives. The stand of trees depends on the tree species being following activities are often recommended as grown and site productivity. Yellow-poplar trees part of timber stand improvement. growing on a good site may have a cutting cycle of 8-12 years. Upland oak species growing on a Crop Tree Management can create a break in good site might have a cutting cycle of 6-9 years. the forest canopy that allows sunlight to reach There are several types of thinnings including smaller trees. These openings can increase the selection thinning, crown thinning, etc. age distribution and species diversity within the stand. As certain trees are harvested, others Improvement Cutting is a cutting in a stand of have the ability to grow in the new openings. trees which are 20 years of age or older. The Intermediate cutting practices are then carried purpose of the practice is to improve tree comout during the life of a stand. position and tree quality by removing trees of undesirable species, form or condition from Cleaning is a cutting made in a stand of trees in the main canopy. This practice often includes the age range of 1 to 20 years, to free the best grapevine removal. Trees may be harvested if a trees from undesirable individuals of the same market exists or merely cut or chemically treated age which are or may overtop them. This practice and left standing. One improvement cutting may helps regulate species composition to favor the be sufficient to put the stand into condition or better, or more commercially valuable species. several cuttings over a period of years may be 39

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required. Improvement cuttings should precede a harvest cut by at least 10 years so the full benefit can be obtained from the release of the better trees.

h HIGH GRADING - A harvesting technique that is detrimental to the long term health and value of your forest. High grading removes only the biggest and most valuable trees from a stand, leaving a residual stand of trees in poor condition or poor species composition. Historically many forest stands in Kentucky were harvested this way. In order to increase the productivity and integrity of our forests, a more enlightened approach to harvesting is necessary.

Pruning removes tree branches to increase the quality of the wood. Trees usually pruned are pine species and black walnut. Normally in pruning pine species, at least 30% of the total tree height needs to be left in live crown to maintain maximum growth. With walnut trees, at least 50% of the total height should be left in live crown. Prune trees when they are young. It is recommended that crop trees be selected and pruned when 5 or 6 inches in diameter. Remove limbs flush with the tree trunk. Once the wound has healed over, new growth is clear and the tree is of higher value.

no longer equals or exceeds the desired rate of return, then the tree should be removed and replaced with a younger tree.

Biological maturity is the age a tree reaches before beginning to deteriorate. Evidence of decline includes Harvest dead tops, insect damage, rot, Practices etc. The financial maturity of Yellow-poplar on a good site may be 72 years, yet its biological maturity may be 200-250 years.

clearcut

Harvesting Practices

If your management plan calls for a timber harvesting, you will likely wait until trees are mature. Tree maturity varies with tree species, site productivity, climate conditions and the product to be grown. There are two different types of maturity for a tree-financial and biological. Financial maturity requires that the landowner attaches a dollar value to growing trees. If the expected value increase of a tree

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single tree selection These illustrations show two of the primary ways to harvest: single tree (or selective cut) and clearcut. If your management plan calls for aesthetics or recreation that requires forest cover, you should avoid doing any clearcuts.

photo illustrations: Shari Hawley

If you plan on managing your forest for wildlife, recreation, soil health or aesthetics, you may choose not to harvest at all. A dead standing tree, called a snag, creates habitat for many types of wildlife. Likewise, trees left to naturally decay “feed” nutrients back into the soil. Selective Cutting involves the harvesting of mature trees (dominant and co-dominant) on a periodic basis. This practice protects the site during and after logging and is aesthetically pleasing. Selective cutting favors shade tolerant species such as maple, beech, gum and hemlock. You can selectively harvest a single tree or groups of trees. Beware of anyone who suggests you selectively remove all of the most valuable trees. This practice,

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the protection of the older stand and is finally commonly known as high-grading, is detrireleased when able to endure exposure. mental to the health of your forest. Approximately 10–30% of the tree By removing the most valuable volume is removed in each pretrees, you deplete the genetic At the turn of the paratory cutting. This method stock of your woodlands. To century, clearcuts were a common establishes a new crop before use a farm analogy, it is form of harvesting. Ecologists now older trees are removed. like selling off your best realize the disadvantages of large area Young trees are fragile bull. When done properly, clearcuts far outweigh the benefits. Not only though, and can be easily a selective harvest is done are they unpleasant to look at, but clearcuts strip damaged when harvesting with an eye toward the away the forest cover and leave the soil bare. Erosion if the cutter is not careful. future and removes a mix and runoff carry soil away from where it’s needed of good quality and low and deposit it in streams and waterways. This Non-Timber Forest quality trees. process pollutes your water and can actually change the micro-climate of the area.

Clearcutting is used when a forester determines that an entire stand of trees is ready to be regenerated. Reasons for clearcutting may include insect/ disease damage, natural disasters or when the stand is simply financially mature. In its purest sense, a clearcut involves the felling of all woody stems 2 inches and larger. Softwood clearcuts are generally replanted, while hardwood clearcuts will regenerate from seed and sprouts. The use of BMPs is critical when using clearcutting, but when executed properly, clearcuts are a widely accepted silvicultural method for stand regeneration. Salvage Cutting is made for the purpose of removing trees killed or damaged by insects, disease, wind, etc. It may involve complete or partial removal of a stand. Salvage cutting can pose the same threats to soil and water as clearcutting if conducted on a large or unstable area. Shelterwood Cutting involves the gradual removal of a stand in a series of partial cuttings over a period of 10–20 years. Natural reproduction from seed and sprouts starts under

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Management Alternatives

Not all forest management goals will call for timber harvest. Forests can be managed for non-timber forest products, wildlife, recreation and aesthetics. Though these practices may not yield profits comparable to timber harvesting, they can provide steady and reliable income.

Non-timber forest products may include the cultivation of herbs and medicinals such as ginseng and goldenseal; harvesting of specialty foods such as shiitake mushrooms, maple syrup, nuts or honey; collecting of handicraft materials like floral greenery, natural dyes and pigments, grape vines, basket making materials and associated wood products; and collecting firewood or fencepost material. See spotlight section on Page 49. You may be interested in wildlife management for hunting or nature/bird watching. Depending on your situation, a management professional may recommend some of the following practices to promote wildlife habitat: thinning; prescribed burning; den and mast tree selection; ground cover establishment; and planting wildlife food plots. Keep in mind that any new species planted

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photo: Sara Thilman

The forests of Central Appalachia boast a wide diversity of deciduous trees (trees that typically lose their leaves during some part of the year). Also known as hardwoods, they have broad, flat leaves as opposed to coniferous or needled trees.

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should be native to that specific forest type. In general, large unfragmented parcels of land provide safe corridors for wildlife habitat and migration. Keep in mind that the need for Land and Water Protection Measures (see Appendix) still applies.

photo: photos.com

A survey by Ducks Unlimited® revealed that 44% of Americans participated in some level of bird watching and more than half of all Americans enjoy viewing wildlife when away from home.

h If you are interested in learning more about the economics of the timber market, check out the Hardwood Market Report, www.hmr.com or contact the University of Kentucky’s Forest Extension office http:// forestry2.ca.uky.edu/extens.htm.

Recreation may factor into your management decision. For centuries, forests have supported activities like hiking, camping, horseback riding and fishing. Some people own their forestland specifically for recreation purposes. Others may manage for recreation purposes that could provide an income. Eco-tourism—attracting visitors who sustain and enhance the character of the place being visited—is the largest growing segment of the tourism industry. Recreational uses can have their drawbacks, too. As a landowner, you carry the burden of liability and the risk of “uninvited guests” trespassing. One of the most damaging forms of recreation comes from off-road vehicles. Although popular, their emissions and heavy impacts on soil, water and the forest understory can wreak havoc on the environment. You may choose to manage the forest in harmony with its natural course. Areas allowed to “naturalize” are not only aesthetically pleasing, but promote diversity and forest health. Parcels of property can also be set aside for restoration. Areas along stream banks can be managed to stabilize the soil and vegetation, thereby offsetting erosion. Forest restoration can increase the variety of wildlife and forest understory plants, too.

Timing of Forestry Activities

If you have trees ready for a commercial harvest 42

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or plan on conducting timber stand improvement, you need to time your harvest according to a couple of factors. The first is weather. Harvesting operations should be carried out when the least damage will be done to soil and water. In Kentucky, harvesting should take place during the driest times of the year, usually between July and September. Avoid the Spring if possible. This is growing season for trees so they’re more vulnerable to damage. Extremely wet weather also poses a hazard. If you’re contracting with someone to do the logging, be sure to specify— and include in the contract—alternate provisions for poor weather conditions. Economics of the timber market is another important harvest consideration. Timber markets are highly variable, since they are related to economic fluctuations like interest rates and consumer preference. Timber harvest can be delayed if prices are low and resumed again when market values rise. If you choose to work with a consulting forester, they will advise you of market conditions and the best times to harvest. The Land and Water Protection Measures in the Appendix provide in-depth discussion of safeguards for all phases of a harvest operation.

4. Who will conduct management activities? Harvesting Timber Yourself

If you have some forestry experience you may choose to harvest timber yourself. Be wise about this though. Logging was recently ranked as the most dangerous occupation in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Harvesting timber—even with reliable equipment—is very labor intensive. Don’t jump into

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a large scale operation. Plan on cutting a few trees over the course of many years, rather than harvesting all of the desired trees at once. Smaller-scale logging can be carried out with horses, mules or small tractors, which can cause much less Horse damage than large equipment. In the Preharvest Appendix there is more information about alternative harvest methods that are available for small-scale operations. Even with these lower impact methods, you still need to follow Land and Water Protection Measures (Appendix) to protect the surrounding trees, soil and water. Do-it-yourself logging requires doit-yourself marketing. Marketing involves preparing a timber sale notice, making it available to various bidders, and preparing a timber sale contract. Not all sawmills are willing to buy small lots of timber. Don’t make the mistake of cutting your trees first, then trying to find a buyer, as logs can be considered a “perishable” commodity. Harvesting timber yourself can be satisfying and financially rewarding. It is a good feeling to know you remain in control of your forest resources. Landowners who have harvested their own timber say that it is a learning process. Some offer the suggestion of working with a small-scale operator first—maybe an experienced friend, neighbor or specialty har-

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vester like a horse logger—to learn the ropes. Your local state conservation district or service forester may be able to help you make these contacts.

Logging

photo: Sara Thilman

Horse, mule and ox logging were common practices before there were engine-powered alternatives. Horse logging allows for a smaller impact area, so there is less disturbance to the forest than when harvesting is done with mechanized equipment. A good team of horses can offer a logger lots of control for partial cuts, moving timber around trees that are left to grow without damaging them. There are considerable differences between horse logging and heavy equipment. For instance, a draft horse weighs about 1,900 pounds; a rubber-tired skidder weighs about 10,000 pounds. Horse logging advocates also point out that a horse can be maintained for a year for less than it costs to buy one skidder tire.

Who can Help with My Timber Harvest?

It is important to note the difference between a logger and a professional forester. A logger cuts down trees, cuts them into logs and transports them to a processing plant. A logger is primarily focused on how to extract timber from the forest. Since many loggers take a cut or percentage of the yield, they are interested in maximizing the yield and minimizing the costs. At times, these short-term objectives may be in conflict with your long-term goals. By contrast, a professional forester is trained in all aspects of forestry and forest management. Their training is in the applied science of reproducing and growing a forest in order to fulfill stated management objectives. A forester can help you assess your current forest and develop a plan to reach your future goals. A forester can be a necessary middle person between you and the logger. If it is necessary to hire a logger to harvest timber, it is important to have a profes-

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h A logger is primarily interested in extracting timber from the forest. A forester is trained in all aspects of forest management. Regardless of your goals, a professional forester can help you plan and manage your woodland accordingly.

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In Kentucky, every commercial logging operation must have a Master Logger on-site. Ask to see this card to verify that any operator you hire has completed the required training and certification.

sional forester work with you to assure the management practices (see Land and Water Protection Measures) performed are in line with state requirements and most importantly, the goals you set.

stocking and values for wildlife, recreation, etc. The Kentucky Division of Conservation 663 Teton Trail Frankfort, KY 40601, (502)564-3080 or http://www.environment.ky.gov/nrepc/dnr/ conserve/doc2.htm.

The Kentucky Forest Conservation Act requires that every commercial logging operation in Kentucky have a trained Master Logger on-site and in charge at all times. Don’t be afraid to ask a logger to see his credentials.

The University of Kentucky, through the Cooperative Extension Service, provides educational services such as workshops and individual assistance and makes available the results of research and other information through its many publications. These services are available through the County Extension Agent in each county. Learn more about their services (859)257-7611, http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/ Forestry/forestry.html.

The Kentucky Division of Forestry staffs nine district offices across the state to assist the landowner with preparation of forest management plans, obtaining cost-sharing assistance, tree planting recommendations, marking timber for timber stand improvement practices and for harvest. In most cases there is no charge for the services of a state forester. The Kentucky Division of Forestry 627 Comanche Trail Frankfort, KY 40601 Phone: (502) 564-4496 Fax: (502) 564-6553 or http:// www.forestry.ky.gov

Prior to timber harvest, you should also contact your attorney and accountant. Have your attorney review any logger or forester contracts before you sign them. Likewise, contact your accountant to better understand the tax implications before you harvest. Tax on harvested timber will affect the bottom line of your harvest operation, so you should factor it in from the beginning.

State foresters may not have enough time available to satisfy your needs. In that case, you may choose to work with a consulting forester, whose principal business is working with landowners to help achieve their goals. Since a consulting forester works for you and is paid by you, their primary interest is your satisfaction. A complete contact list can be found in the Contact section of the Appendix. Kentucky also staffs 121 conservation districts that can help with various aspects of conservation and stewardship, including soil interpretations, appraising existing woodlands, assisting with site productivity, tree species, 44

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