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Planning a Timber Harvest
Planning a Timber Harvest
Informed family forest landowners know you can harvest trees, make a profit and still have a healthy thriving woodlot that looks good. Sound impossible? Well the truth is a forest can be improved with a successful timber harvest. Planning is the key and good planning depends on making good decisions. You don’t have to know everything about forestry to plan a successful harvest, but you do need to be informed. When preparing a timber harvest, answer the following questions:
What do I have?
The foundation for any plan is laid with this information. Determine the age, species composition, volume, value and health of your timber. Identify non-timber resources such as roads, streams, wildlife habitat, or scenic areas. Recognize land forms and soil types which require specialized logging systems or may preclude logging altogether. In other words, really get to know your woodlot.
What does my woodlot need?
Determining what you have often answers this question. Silvicultural prescriptions should be designed to benefit the existing stand’s health or regenerate a new forest. Learn to recognize insect and disease problems and the need for salvage work, thinning or planting. Identify transportation and access needs such as road repair, culvert installation, erosion control and additional road construction. Consider how to protect streams, wildlife and scenic areas. Plan logging that will improve your woodlot, not merely remove timber.
What do I want?
Blend your economic and long term management dreams with reality. Understand what you are trying to accomplish and weigh the costs and ramifications of doing it. Set goals. Know what you want and be able to explain it. Make your logger see your vision and maintain constant communications with him. Plan to write a timber harvest contract that will communicate and protect your desires.
Do I need professional input?
YES! To do things right you need a botanist, economist, timber cruiser, entomologist, pathologist, engineer, hydrologist, ecologist, wildlife specialist and landscape architect. In a pinch, a forester will do. Foresters with the Idaho Department of Lands offer services without charge. Although their time and services are limited, it’s a good idea to start with these people. They can highlight problems, potentials, and values, write management plans and help locate a logger or consultant. For a fee, private consulting foresters can do much more, such as surveying, cruising, marketing, administer the job, and more. Industry foresters and logging contractors sometimes have woodlot programs or offer advice. Remember, there is safety in an abundance of counselors.
Good planning is an essential part of a successful harvest. In fact, planning is more than half the job.
Invest the time and resources necessary to make good decisions about your woodlot.
Forest Management 7: Tree Planting
Tree Planting
In this edition of the Forester Forum
Overview
The key to a successful planting program is to provide a micro-environment that fosters the survival and subsequent growth of the planted seedlings. While young seedlings are tough, excessive handling or dropping of the seedling can cause damage and stress, reducing survival and growth.
Follow these important steps to achieve a successful planting.
Seedling Storage
Seedlings should be stored at 33° to 35° Fwith high humidity. Seedlings can be stored in the refrigerator for a short period of time by enclosing them in a plastic bag.
If your seedlings have been stored in a cooler at 33° to 35° F, they will need to be “acclimatized” to the site they are to be planted in. Seedlings should be stored onsite (in the shade) one day before planting.
Soil Temperature
Ensure that soil temperatures are warm enough to promote rapid root growth.
Use a thermometer and place the recording end about four inches deep into the soil. Springtime soil temperatures should be a minimum of 40° F for several days before seedlings are planted. This is to ensure good root egress and to establish a “water chain” between the soil and the seedling, and to anchor the seedling in the ground.
Roots do not grow at cooler temperatures and seedlings can dry out during windy days due to seedling roots being unable to extract enough moisture for transpiration.
Sun and Wind Protection
3Protect your unplanted seedling from direct sunlight, wind, and high daytime temperatures. Store seedlings in heavy shade on north aspects or under suspended tarps three to four feet above the seedling boxes so as to provide adequate shade and good air movement
Keep unplanted seedlings cool!
Planting Locations
Wherever possible, plant seedlings on the north and east sides of stumps, logs, large rocks, and debris. These “microsites” will help protect newly planted seedlings from solar radiation and lethal daytime temperatures, wind, and animal traffic during the first few growing seasons.
Planting Holes
Avoid holes and depressions where dirt and water will collect and not drain off of the planting spot. Avoid areas where soil is mixed with excessive amounts of litter, slash, or other debris.
Dig a hole deep enough for the roots. Make sure that the roots are straight and do not bend (“J” or “L” roots). Spades, shovels, and mattocks work best. Take only one seedling out of the bundle at a time. This protects the other seedlings from drying out.
Questions? Find an IDL Private Forestry Specialist
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Forest Management 6: Consulting Foresters
Consulting Foresters
In this edition of the Forester Forum
Overview
You can see professionals in every line of work. Forestry is no exception.
A consulting forester knows the technical aspects of forestry, including the inner workings of the marketplace for wood products. They are experienced and skilled and are recognized as experts in their field. Professional consulting foresters blend the art and science of managing forest ecosystems. Their business is providing forestry expertise to your needs.
What is a Consulting Forester?
Educated: Generally, consulting foresters are well educated, hold a bachelor of science degree or higher in forestry or some closely related field. They are versed in silviculture, botany, soils, economics, forest engineering, hydrology, ecology, forest insects and diseases, marketing and other disciplines.
Experienced: Consultants have usually gained diverse experience in your area. They are knowledgeable about local markets, tree species, geology, contractors, laws, and practices.
Competent and Professional: Years of education and experience make consultants good people to approach with your forestry needs. Like any professional, their goal is to serve you.
What Can a Consulting Forester Do?
Consultants are knowledgeable about their special aspects of forestry. Typical services include: developing management plans, conducting timber inventories, appraising land, planning harvests, marking trees, writing contracts, marketing wood products, and administering forest management projects such as logging, thinning, or planting.
Utilizing a consultant often has hidden advantages for the landowner. Greater revenues are realized; better forestry is applied; fewer or no headaches are encountered; and a forest with a future is left standing for the landowner to use and enjoy. In addition to timber management goals, consulting foresters can also help you realize goals for wildlife, clean water and aesthetics.
If you are a woodlot owner, consulting foresters benefit you.
What to Look for in a Consultant
Ethics: True consultants regard ethics as the foundation of their business. They are quick to point out the following standards. Look for these attributes when hiring a consultant:
- Their services are available to the general public.
- They represent their client, solely.
- They harbor no undisclosed interests that would conflict with the interests of their clients.
- They comply with all local, state, and federal laws and requirements.
References: Consultants are proud to offer references. They will emphasize work they have accomplished in the past and share their track record on forest practice compliance with IDL. Also, check for educational credentials and ties to professional forestry associations, such as the Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF) and the Society of American Foresters (SAF).
Management Alternatives: Hire a forester who can offer several management alternatives. These ideas should revolve around your land management objectives.
Accounting: Look for someone with an accounting procedure that does a good job of documenting revenues and expenses.
How Are Consultants Paid?
Payments for services rendered can vary greatly, depending on the job being done. Usually, the first consultation is free. This gives the landowner and forester a chance to get acquainted. If a timber harvest is conducted, the consultant’s fee may be charged as a percentage of the sale revenue. Sometimes, the consultant is paid a set price per unit volume harvested (i.e., X amount of dollars per thousand board feet). Flat rate payments for services are also common, especially when no timber is harvested.
It is important to check with several consultants. Shop around for the services and value that will best meet your needs. Many consultants will tailor their programs to fit you and your management goals. Remember, the consulting forester works for you! Meeting your needs should be his top priority.
Finding a Consultant
Consultants often advertise in trade journals or the yellow pages of your telephone directory. Idaho Department of Lands Private Forestry Specialists can also make referrals. Contact your local IDL office for further information about forestry consultants.
Questions? Find an IDL Private Forestry Specialist
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Forest Management 5: Administering a Timber Harvest
Administering a Timber Harvest
In this edition of the Forester Forum
Overview
In technical terms, timber sale administration is the supervision of harvest activities to achieve silvicultural and economic objectives through sound logging practices and proper log utilization. In plain English, sale administration is telling a logger what you want before it’s too late.
Communication and cooperation between a landowner and the logger is crucial. Very often, operators receive no feedback from landowners until a problem arises or the harvest is completed. But loggers need constructive input and criticism all during a harvest so they can adjust to the landowner’s desires.
Here are some items to monitor while a harvest is in progress.
Falling Operations
Make sure only designated timber is being harvested. Trees marked reserve or protected by a diameter limit should be found standing and in good condition when
the dust clears. If overcutting is evident, let operators know immediately so they can adjust. Once in a while, it is impossible to avoid cutting or damaging a reserve tree. Be tolerant of an occasional glitch.
Also, determine if enough is being cut. Over the course of a harvest, thousands of board feet can be left in the woods in the form of small merchantable trees or unreasonably high stumps.
Skidding Operations
Although the right trees are cut, they may not leave the woods. Occasionally a small merchantable tree, log, or chunk is missed or purposely forgotten. Mark any missed piece with flagging or paint. Let operators know they are expected to retrieve missed logs.
Loading Operations
Falling, skidding, and decking a tree does not insure it will get to the mill. Check landing debris and slash piles for merchantable logs and pieces. Mark them for retrieval.
Log Quality
Any merchantability and utilization standards outlined in the contract should be consistently met. Examine manufactured logs at the landings. Determine if they are being cut to the required top diameter. Also check the necessity of long butting. Logs do not usually have to be totally free of rot to be merchantable. Contract standards should be met.
Forest Practices Requirements
Anyone conducting a timber harvest needs to be familiar with the rules and regulations of the Idaho Forest Practices Act (FPA). Copies can be obtained from your local IDL Private Forestry Specialist (PFS).Most of the rules protect water quality and land productivity.
Normally, random inspections are conducted by IDL, but a Private Forestry Specialist will also visit upon request. The Private Forestry Specialist can answer questions, provide assistance, or conduct a joint inspection. Forest Practice Act rules should be incorporated into the sale contract and enforced.
Slash Disposal
Slash piles need to be relatively free of dirt and in a burnable condition. Have piles located a safe and required distance from green trees, streams, or ponds. If the adequacy of slash disposal is in question, contact your local fire warden or Private Forestry Specialist for an inspection or advice.
Development and Other Items
The quality, progress, and completion of development work such as culvert installation, road construction, surfacing, etc. should be checked against the technical specifications of the contract. Also, monitor the protection of fences, gates, ponds, roads, and other land improvements. Make sure garbage, filters, cans, etc. are cleaned up and properly disposed.
What About Conflicts?
A conflict can arise even with open communications and active administration. Questions and concerns should be taken to the sale purchaser or whoever is responsible for
operations. It’s advisable to resolve any conflict as soon as possible. If an impasse is met, the contract should include provisions to halt operations and arbitrate disputes. Such action can put a damper on cooperation and should only be used as a last resort.
No harvest can be firmly administered without a well written contract. That document serves as the authority on practices, responsibilities, and procedures. A contract enhances sale administration but does not complete it. Administration is looking after a harvest while maintaining open and active communication and cooperation. Administer your harvest to achieve your goals.
Questions? Find an IDL Private Forestry Specialist
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Forest Management 4: Locating a Timber Sale Purchaser
Locating a Timber Sale Purchaser
In this edition of the Forester Forum
Overview
Experienced landowners know that a successful timber harvest requires planning. After management objectives, silvicultural prescriptions, and contractual requirements are formulated, a purchaser must be found. Usually, timber sale purchasers are responsible for logging operations. They can make you satisfied or disappointed in the results.
There are plenty of competent purchasers in the market. Consulting foresters, logging contractors, log brokers, and saw mills all vie for stumpage. Names and addresses of local timber buyers can be obtained from your local IDL office, extension agent, or telephone directory. Once potential purchasers are known, the following procedures may be helpful in selecting a purchaser.
Write a Prospectus
A prospectus is a notice of request for bids with a brief description of the planned harvest. It usually lists the species, volumes, and products being sold, a legal description of the harvest area, a tentative sale date, the seller’s name and address, and any other pertinent information. Explain the exact form and details wanted for the bid price.
Harvest Area Tours
Interested purchasers need an opportunity to examine the timber, understand the harvest objectives, review the sale contract, and estimate their logging costs. This can be accomplished with a tour of the harvest area. Arrange group or individual meetings, which ever is more convenient.
The most important aspect of the tour is communication. Purchasers need to understand the seller’s goals, requirements, and desires so they can offer competitive bids. Likewise, sellers have an opportunity to glean information about logging and log markets. Comments or criticisms from seasoned woodsmen may be useful in revising the harvest plan.
Call for Bids
Customarily, bids are accepted two to four weeks after the prospectus is sent out. Depending on how the timber is being sold, bids are based on the price per unit volume (i.e. thousand board feet , cords, etc.), the price of the entire sale, or the costs of logging per unit volume. Loggers charge no fee for the “estimates” since they are trying to land a job. Always reserve the right to reject any or all bids.
Get References
Since the bidder of the highest amount to the landowner may not always be the best choice, have interested parties submit references with their bids. Investigate any likely candidate before awarding the contract. Choose contractors based on their track record as well as their price.
Once a purchaser is selected and the contracts are signed, maintain communication. The purchaser deserves seller input and constructive criticism so adjustments can be made. Responsible contractors want to do a good job. Administer your harvest with this attitude in mind.
Questions? Find an IDL Private Forestry Specialist
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Fire Management 1: Idaho’s Fire Hazard Management Laws
Idaho's Fire Hazard Management Laws
In this edition of the Forester Forum
This summary is advisory.
IT IS NOT MEANT TO REPLACE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OR THE LAW. ANY QUESTIONS SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY CONSULTING THE CURRENT RULES.
Overview
The Idaho Forestry Act and Fire Hazard Reduction Laws (Idaho Code Title 38, Chapters 1 & 4) require management of tops and limbs (slash) from cutting forest products on private forest lands. The laws were written to prevent catastrophic forest fires. History in Idaho has shown that forest fires starting or burning in slash are harder to control, cause more damage, and are more costly.
The State Board of Land Commissioners has adopted rules to implement the slash hazard laws. These rules were developed by the Idaho Department of Lands and representatives of Idaho’s forest landowners and forest industry. The rules are available at any Department of Lands office.
Responsibility Under the Law
Any person cutting forest products, whether landowner, operator, or timber owner must assure that the slash will be treated. You must:
- Obtain a Certificate of Compliance-Fire Hazard Management Agreement-Notification of Forest Practice (one page).
- Provide a copy of the agreement to all purchasers before delivering logs or other products.
- Treat the slash to the standards specified in the rules by the expiration date on the agreement.
- Comply with all terms of the agreement.
Who should get the agreement — Landowner, Operator, or Timber Owner
The person who takes the responsibility for actually treating the slash will get the agreement. They will be called the contractor. In effect, this person is entering into a contract with the state to assure slash treatment. The responsibility for slash cleanup usually is a negotiated term of the timber sale contract between the operator and the landowner. They should clearly understand that the person who gets the agreement is legally liable.
The contractor must have the specific legal description, which includes subdivision, section, township, and range of the harvest area when obtaining an agreement. Mineral survey numbers and subdivision lot numbers are acceptable as informational descriptions, but are secondary to the legal description of the contract area. The contractor must also have the complete addresses for the landowner, operator, and timber owner when obtaining the agreement.
Agreement Options
The agreement has several options for the contractor to manage or reduce the fire hazard created by harvesting operations.
- The no hazard option is available for contractors who are only hauling “a load or two” of logs and will not be cutting enough timber to create a fire hazard. With this option timber harvest is incidental for clearing a few trees to build a garage, or removing timber shading cropland. In either of these examples, the logging debris is disposed of. The no hazard option can also be used for salvaging low volumes of windthrow or diseased timber. The rules are not specific to the size of the job. Decisions should be reached after consulting with the district fire warden.
- The holdback option requires the contractor post a cash bond to guarantee slash will be treated to rule standards. This bond is usually paid from log delivery payments by the purchasing mill and forwarded to the state. However, for some products or operations, the contractor may choose to post an advance cash bond for the full amount of the products to be harvested. Currently, the bond is $4.00 per thousand board feet. The state holds the money in a special project account. After the hazard reduction is completed as outlined in the rules, the bond is returned to the contractor. A fee of $.24 per thousand board feet is withheld for the Emergency Fire Suppression Fund and FPA Administration.
- The surety bond options allows the contractor to post a surety bond instead of a cash bond. The bond must be on a state form and be sufficient to cover the volume of harvested timber. The contractor must treat the slash as outlined in the rules within the agreed time period. When the work is completed, the bond is released. A fee of $.24 per thousand board feet must be submitted annually for the Emergency Fire Suppression Fund and FPA Administration.
- The contract option provides for the landowner or contractor to contract with the state requiring the local forest protective district to treat the slash. The district fire warden can accept the contract and the slash rate for the contract is variable. If the warden signs a contract, the state agrees to complete the slash job according to rule specifications.
- The additional fee option assumes state liability for the cost for suppressing any fires that start on or pass through the area specified on the agreement. The additional fee is based on the hazard characteristics of the specific job. However, if the contractor chooses hot to treat the slash and prefers to pay the additional fee at the time the products are taken to the mill, an interim agreement can be made. The original $4.00 per thousand feet slash fee is also forfeited to the state.
Time Limits for Agreements
The period for any agreement should be based on the size and complexity of the job and on the forestry objectives of the landowner. As a general rule, agreements can be written for two years.
However, the contractor may negotiate an interim treatment of slash with the fire warden for the period over two years. Agreements can be written for any job duration.
The time limit for the agreement is important. All slash work must be completed by the agreement expiration date. Extensions are available upon written request with good cause.
Standards for Hazard Reduction
When the contractor signs the agreement, he agrees to treat the slash to rule standards and within agreement time limit. The rules outline a hazard rating system based upon points. Points are added to a job based on slash quantity, site factors (slope and aspect), unit size and other factors such as proximity to structures. The rules also provide a .menu. of techniques to offset the hazard.
Hazard Offsets
- Disposal – Piling and burning/burning in place.
- Isolation – A system of fire lines and fuel breaks to isolate the slash from the nearby stands.
- Modification – Slash, chipping, crushing, or loping.
- Other Factors – Locked gates, better water sources or other control measures
What Happens If The Hazard Reduction Work Is Not Done?
The contractor has until the agreement expiration date or any extensions to complete slash management in accordance with the rule standards. If the slash work is not done, the contractor will incur suppression liability costs for any wildfires started on or passing through the slash area for five years after the agreement expiration. However, the contractor can pay an additional fee based on the remaining hazard points charged against the job. Upon payment of the fee, the state will assume fire suppression liability
Questions? Find an IDL Private Forestry Specialist
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Fire Management 2: Take the Risk Out of Slash Burning
Take the Risk Out of Slash Burning
In this edition of the Forester Forum
This summary is advisory.
IT IS NOT MEANT TO REPLACE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OR THE LAW. ANY QUESTIONS SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY CONSULTING THE CURRENT RULES.
Overview
Slash cleanup after harvest can serve many good and positive purposes; it protects the area from fire and insect damage, provides for silvicultural and timber stand improvements, provides grazing capabilities for wildlife, and last, but not least, makes the logging job look good.
Getting the job done, and done right, should be easy. The piling of slash is usually easy, as most operators are willing to pile the slash as a part of the logging job. Piling satisfies the landowner and leaves the job with a “finished” look. It also helps sell the logging job to other prospective customers.
Getting the piles burned can be another matter. Many operators prefer not to burn the slash. They usually have to make a special trip back to the area to burn, and that can add to costs when the operator has several jobs. The more jobs an operator has, the greater the risk the fire will either escape and damage the surrounding area, or will not burn and require another trip, or the piles will be only partly burned.
Liability a Concern
Many landowners do not feel prepared or equipped to burn slash, or provide adequate protection while burning. The fear of damaging their own timber, or worse yet, their neighbors. property, is always a concern.
Most state districts and associations in Idaho would prefer not to take on slash burning jobs. While they are trained and equipped for the task, recent trends have reduced the number of people available during the slash burning season. Concerns about the number of good burn days and liability for resource damage add to their reluctance.
Even though the burning job can be inconvenient and risky, the burning must be done to complete the slash work. The process can be simplified if the slash work is incorporated into the job from the beginning. For example, tree-length skidding will reduce the number of slash piles needed so damage to leave trees from piling and burning can be kept to a minimum. Also, the slash is concentrated at the landings so piles can be made very large without risk of damaging forest soils.
Slash piles should be in an open area, not shoved against standing trees that will die when the piles are burned.
Tall, Tight, and Dirt Free
Piles should be as free of dirt as possible. Making dirt free piles not only leaves the soil where it should be, but also allows the piles to burn out clean. Dirt-ladened slash piles (such as landing debris) have been known to hold fire for weeks, even through the winter! Dirtfilled piles can “breakout” and cause the fire to escape long after the time the fire is being monitored.
The best way to ensure that the piles are dirt free is to insist on a brush blade or brush rake for any dozer piling in the woods or landings. Straight dirt blades on dozers or skidders are designed to move just what the name implies “dirt.” Using a dirt blade to pile slash usually means the piles will have enough dirt in them so the pile will be difficult to light, will not burn completely, must be monitored long after it is lit, and the pile may have to be re-piled and burned again to get adequate burning.
No matter what equipment is used to build the slash piles, proper placement and construction can reduce the problem. The best slash piles are tall, tight, and dirt free, not long, low and loose.
Cover the Piles
Once the piles are constructed, it is a good idea to put a cover on at least part (about 1/3 of the pile) with a material such as cheap roofing paper or plastic. If the piles are tight and covered, they can be lit and will burn completely at a time when the adjacent woodlands are too wet to burn, thereby reducing the risk of escape. Tight piles that are covered have been burned when there is snow on the ground with good consumption. The price of roofing paper is about $8 per roll and one roll will cover many piles. The price of the material and the effort in papering really pays off in giving you the latitude to burn the piles successfully under safe conditions.
To get a good clean burn, slash should be allowed to cure for six to eight weeks of drying weather. This is enough time for the “average” slash. Long butts, chunks and stumps will not cure in that time, but consumption should be good if the mix of fine fuels is adequate in the piles.
Fall Burning
Once the piles are ready to burn, all you need is to wait for a break in the weather. If the piles are covered, you can burn when it suits your schedule. Fall is the preferred season to burn since most people would rather have progressively wet weather after the piles are lit, rather than a spring burn and worry about “holdover” fires through the summer.
Fall burning has a disadvantage for air quality reasons. It isn’t a good idea to burn during stable air conditions that might have inversions or stagnant air (high pressure systems).
Low pressure systems can offer good opportunities to burn, but watch the predicted wind. A little wind can help reduce residual tree scorching while too much wind can really cause control problems under all but the wettest of weather.
Keep Communication Lines Open
It is a good idea to call the local fire protection district office to find out what the weather forecast is, how the long range outlook is and how other burners have been doing. Of course, if you will be burning during the closed fire season (May 10 through October 20), you will need a permit to burn. Even if you are burning when a permit is not required, it is a good idea to inform your rural fire district so they know what the smoke is all about.
When the time comes to burn, it is a good idea to have enough tools on hand to take care of any spot fires that might start from the piles. Try a small area initially to be sure the fire can be controlled and that it will burn completely. Burn ridge tops and perimeters first and let them die down before torching off the main portion of the piled area. This will provide a fire break if the main area gives problems.
After the piles have been burned, it is a good idea to check them the next day. If everything is right where you left it, the burned area should be checked again after poor weather like warmer drying weather and/or high winds.
The above guidelines should reduce the risk. Most important, pile your slash free of dirt, make the piles tight and keep them partly covered for easy ignition.