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FOREST MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP MANUAL

TIMBER SALES - A SUGGESTED

STEP - BY - STEP PROCEDURE

1. CONTACT YOUR SERVICE FORESTER

   He can tell if your timber (1) is economically mature; (2) has slowed down in growth; (3) needs salvage due to fire, storms, insect or disease damage; (4) should be cut to release the understory; (5) has sufficient volume and quality for a sale; (6) is accessible for logging; (7) has sufficient reproduction to insure a future stand.

2. HAVE YOUR FORESTER MARK THE TREES TO BE CUT

   He will (1) mark only mature trees to be cut, leaving the small, faster growing trees to make up the next stand; (2) mark sufficient cull trees to be cut or deadened, leaving the stand in good condition for future growth; (3) estimate volume and quality of timber to be sold; (4) provide names of prospective buyers, etc.

3. ADVERTISE AND GET COMPETITIVE BIDS

   (1) send advertisements to newspapers; (2) send timber summary and bid forms to prospective buyers; (3) require sealed bids with good faith deposits returned by a specified date; (4) set a minimum bid you will accept. (This need not be publicized). (5) sell your timber for the highest bid; (6) require a lump sum payment in advance of cutting. (Payment as the timber is cut, a common practice, encourages the buyer to stop cutting after he gets the best and most accessible timber).

4. HAVE A WRITTEN CONTRACT SIGNED

   Require (1) that the buyer cut only selected trees; (2) that the buyer cut or deaden cull trees; (3) that a performance bond be posted to insure all provisions of the contract are carried out. Specify (1) the time limit for cutting to be completed; (2) the method and time for payment; (3) the logger's responsibility for preventing or suppressing forest fires; (4) locations and construction of logging roads and skid trails; (5) the condition in which the area is to be left; (6) financial penalties for contract violation.

5. ENFORCE THE CONTRACT

   (1) conduct frequent on-the-ground inspections of the harvesting operation to be sure the contract is being followed; (2) charge against the performance bond for any violations of the contract.

6. FOLLOW-UP

   After the harvest, request an inspection by the Service Forester for recommendations on future treatment of the stand.