Why harvest timber, isn’t harvesting bad for the environment?
There are many great reasons for deciding to harvest timber from your property! A few of the most popular reasons include:
Enhancing wildlife habitat - many plants and animals relied on natural disturbances prior to human intervention, logging recreates those disturbance regimes
Forest health or renewal - logging can help “sanitize” a forest from outbreaks including dwarf mistletoe, larch beetle, diplodia, and more!
Income from selling timber - the money generated from logging can help pay off the land, taxes, reinvest into property and management
Wildfire mitigation/prevention - studies from USFS, BLM, and state agencies across the US have shown that managed forests are more resilient to massive wildfire losses
How do I know that the logger will only harvest what I want?
Each timber harvest plan is carefully developed with the landowner's wishes as priority #1. In consultation with you we will develop a harvest plan that accomplishes your goals and is attractive to potential bidders. All of the pertinent information that is needed for an informed bid is included in a Timber Sale Bid Invitation and sent to dozens of potential bidders. After a bid is accepted, a contract is drawn up that clearly outlines the parameters for your personalized harvest plan. A pre-harvest meeting is setup with the loggers, and periodic visits are made whenever necessary to ensure proper execution of the harvest.
What is the likelihood that someone bids on my timber sale?
Here are the main factors affecting level of interest and bid price in any given timber sale:
Distance to market (Distance is the number of #1 reason that affects pricing, transportation and logistics to and from mills can drastically improve or diminish stumpage pricing, in general Closer = higher value)
Total volume of wood and volume per acre (higher volumes = higher value)
Length of contract period (longer contract periods = higher value)
Season of operation (non-frozen ground sales typically attract more interest and higher bid values, all other factors equal)
Accessibility and infrastructure development needs (roads, landings, wetland crossings, etc.)
Note: I understand most folks would love to get a check from their timber, however, I also would like to point out the possibility that for a lower amount or discounted stumpage to the logger, you can usually work in a deal to get Timber stand improvement, pre-commercial thinning, habitat creation, trail and firebreak creation, and much more!!
How do I know I’m getting paid for all of the timber that was removed from my property?
This question is resolved through a multi-faceted approach. The initial step is beginning with an accurate “cruise” or careful estimation of the volume of wood being offered for sale. By employing professional “cruising” techniques and industry-grade equipment, we can obtain a reliable and precise estimate of the timber volume present. Additionally, there are two scaling methods used to ensure fair and transparent payment for your timber:
Consumer Scale Method: In this, the most commonly used method, there is a load ticket system deployed. With each load that is removed from your property, a numbered ticket is placed in a lock box. An equally numbered ticket is then transported with the load to the destination mill. That mill then sends us a report of what the actual scaled volume of that load was. This system works well for timber harvests that are not remote and are easily visited by the landowner or forester.
Sold on Appraised Volume Method: This less commonly employed method requires a very intense timber cruise, since the logger is paid only for the estimated volume listed in the Bid Invitation and the subsequent contract. It is an effective approach for highly uniform stands, or for properties where frequent site visits are impractical. No individual loads are tracked, but strict quality control measures are put in place to ensure that loggers do not exceed predetermined harvest boundaries. Both the logger and the landowner accept some degree of risk, because it is unlikely that the estimated volume will be precisely 100% accurate.
How much input do I have as the landowner?
As much as you want! Our goal is customer satisfaction, period. The more input you have, the more likely we will understand your goals and concerns, and the job will get done the way you want it to.
Why should I hire Holzfäller, LLC. to manage my timber harvest?
Hiring a professional forester to oversee a timber harvest is a great investment! Our foresters have administered over 100 timber harvests throughout Minnesota, working with woodland landowners to provide highly accurate timber estimates and obtaining the highest bids from a list of hundreds of the best loggers in the state.
As your agents, we protect your interests. Through careful planning, clear documentation, and constant communication, we minimize errors and ensure the job is done right. Our competitive bidding secures the best market price for your timber. Contact us for fee details and get a custom land management plan.
TIMBER SERVICES
What does a timber harvest include?
A typical timber harvest includes the following services:
Individual consultation with the landowner
Personalized sale design and timber volume appraisal
Competitive sealed bid process
Written contract preparation between purchaser and landowner
Harvest unit and/or property lines marked prior to harvest
Monitoring of sale while in progress
Tracking of harvested wood amounts and all necessary follow up paperwork
It is important to note that timber values are determined by a large array of factors such as tree species, quality of the wood, property location, size of the area to be harvested, among other reasons that influence the price that a logger is willing to pay for your timber. To get the most realistic and accurate valuation for the timber on your property, Contact us for fee details and get a custom land management plan from one of our professional foresters.