My forestry work in Alabama focuses on timber cruising, inventories, appraisals and timber sales. I help landowners understand what they have, what the market may support and how to carry a sale through to completion.
I offer forestry consulting services as a sole proprietor, independently from National Land Realty. My affiliation with National Land Realty is for real estate brokerage services.
Timber inventories and appraisals
A timber cruise is an inventory of the timber on a property. It provides a basis for estimating timber value and considering a sale or purchase. Depending on the owner’s goals and the information already available, a timber sale may or may not need to begin with an inventory and appraisal.
Timber sales
I lay out the sale boundaries and harvesting requirements, then solicit bids. In a difficult market, that may mean finding a willing and available timber buyer or logger rather than holding a competitive bid sale. Once a buyer is secured, we execute an agreement. I oversee the harvest, reconcile payments, check that the agreement’s terms are carried out and address closeout when logging is finished.
Can a small tract be harvested?
Acreage often gives me an early indication of whether a harvest is feasible. On borderline tracts, timber quantity and quality, access and the ability to operate in wet weather can change the answer. I may make preliminary calls to timber buyers or loggers to see what the market will support.
For one example of how markets affect management, read Why can’t I get my timber thinned?
After the harvest
I can help coordinate site preparation and reforestation with contractors and provide some oversight of the work. I do not perform or subcontract that work. The contracts are directly between the landowner and contractor.
Forestry and a land sale
If you are preparing to sell timberland, it helps to understand the timber before setting expectations for the property. I can look at the forestry and real estate questions together while keeping the two roles clear.