The determination of when and how to sell timber is often the most important financial decision a forest landowner can make. The manner in which any timber sale is marketed will greatly effect the results and profitability achieved. Knowledge of the market place, seasonal trends and factors affecting changes in the timber market, as well as expertise in classifying and marketing specific forest product classes, are all necessary to achieve the highest returns from the sale of timber. Technical expertise and experience in the marketing and sale of timber will produce superior results. Years of experience, training, knowledge and understanding of timber marketing principles, allow us at Day Forest Management & Appraisal, Inc. to assist you with avoiding the numerous pitfalls and hazards that many landowners encounter when attempting to sell timber on their own without professional assistance.

The timber marketing process should be customized for the particular property and its existing timberstands. If appropriate and consistent with the objectives of management, a selection method thinning or improvement thinning is often prescribed, in which only diseased, defective or overcrowded trees are selected for harvest. The end result of such a selection thinning is a well stocked, healthy, vigorous timberstand, exhibiting improved growth and productivity for many years into the future. If as a result of the lack of forest management in the past, or prior over-harvesting, the current timberstand contains only residual timber, the implementation of a final harvest followed by reforestation practices, may be the best option available. Whether a selection method thinning, a final harvest or other forest management prescription is appropriate, a timber marketing plan can be formulated to serve the goals and objectives of ownership.

When attempting the sale of timber, particularly with timber sales containing high value forest products, the key to marketing timber to produce the greatest income is to market the timber knowing the volume of timber being sold in each forest product class, prior to advertising the sale. Timber sale volumes can be determined through performing detailed timber inventory work, specifically for the timber sale. Detailed inventory work can be combined with timber marking when preparing a selection system thinning, or coinciding with other sale preparation procedures. The information obtained from the detailed timber inventory and sale preparations is complied within a detailed sales prospectus, which is distributed to a large pool of prospective bidders. In most cases the best means of marketing timber is by offering it on a competitive sealed bid basis. This method of sale has been time proven to produce the best possible results for most timber sales. Alternative methods of timber marketing are utilized when conditions warrant variation in procedure. The best approach is to customize the sale based on the particular conditions of a given timber sale, in order to maximize the desired results. Insist on using only qualified, experienced Consulting Foresters, without an economic interest in the purchase or resale of timber or without other conflict of interest, such as is always assured through the use of Day Forest Management & Appraisal, Inc.

Timber marketing is seldom only about profitability alone. Decisions made regarding how timber is to be sold, can greatly affect the current and future condition and productivity of the property. Inappropriate or misguided management decisions and or improper implementation of management prescriptions or poor harvesting practices can not only affect profits, now and in the future, they can have severe negative impact to the remaining forest, the site, soils, water quality and wildlife. Sound forest management principles combined with proper implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP’s), will assure the best results for the land, the landowner and the environment.