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One of the key components of proper timber management is the periodic thinning
of mature and/or overstocked trees. Forest Stand Improvement
is a viable non-commercial method of thinning. The more traditional method is to conduct a
logging operation. In Missouri, timber has traditionally been sold on shares with a logger.
We present a different method, which is a Marked Timber Sale. In our timber sales, an
experienced forester will mark, measure and record every tree, along with a GPS location for each
tree, that a logger will be allowed to cut, before any trees are actually removed. Loggers
are then invited to bid in lump-sum amounts on the marked trees, ensuring a competitive price
to the landowner.
Advantages of a Marked Timber Sale
- Experienced Foresters marking the sale, with the overall health and quality of the forest in mind
- Very good estimate of number, quality, and volume of trees to be sold achieved prior to any cutting
- Bid process ensures competitive price
- We require payment in full prior to any cutting
- Landowner has opportunity oversee all steps prior to any cutting
- We mark quality trees only when they are mature. In addition, we mark many undesireable, poorly formed,
and defective trees; therefore we feel that we improve the overall quality and health of the
timber with every sale
Potential Problems with Logging on Shares
- Loggers, likely without formal education in forestry, responsible for the long-term health of the forest
- Many times loggers, trying to maximize their profit on a sale, will cut trees that could have been worth many
times more by the next timber sale
- Landowner won't know exactly how much money to expect until after all trees are cut and sold
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