Management Aid

Management Aid

Offered by Foresters

Woodland owners in Virginia may obtain assistance in the proper management of their woodland properties through the forest management assistance program of the Virginia Division of Forest ry. This service enables an owner to manage his timberlands so as to produce maximum growth of the best species for the most volume and ! profit. A trained forester will make I a preliminary examination of the owner’s timber property, jadvise him on correct manage i ment methods, and submit a [ written report on his findings ; and recommendations 'for [management. There is no [charge for this preliminary examination and management advice.

If the tract contains mature timber, the forester will mark and estimate the trees which should be cut. A fee of60Cper thousand board feet (International 1/4 Inch Rule) is charged for this service. Upon completion of the timber mark ing work, the owner receives a report showing the number of trees marked for harvesting by species and the volume available for sale, Pulpwood thinnings are marked on a per-diem basis.

The landowner who has his timber marked and estimated is in a far better position to place a price on his stumpage and to negotiate a satisfactory and profitable timber sale. He can make a better sale because he “knows" rather than “guesses" what he has for sale. A residual stand of young, thrifty trees is usually left on most tracts after cutting with additional cutting being planned at 8, 10 or 15 year intervals. In pine plantations light cuttings can be planned at 5 to 8 year intervals. Thus the owner can realize an income from his woodland holdings at intervals during his lifetime instead of one heavy liquidating cut. Timber is a *CROP“ and it should be considered as such. Proper agri

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