DOWNEAST FORESTRY, LLC

Whether you've just bought a new piece of property or you've owned your woodlot for many years and never managed it, there is always a chance to participate in active, sustainable management.  Oftentimes, landowners have a general reason for owning property- aesthetics, wildlife, financial gain, etc..  They know they want to manage it, but they just don't know how to get started.  This is where foresters can help.

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Step 1: Establish goals

 

During a consultation, the first thing a forester will do is help you figure out specifically what your personal goals are for the property, AND in what order of importance.  Oftentimes, landowners have multiple goals in mind such as wildlife habitat enhancement, forest health improvement, and financial gain.  The difficult part for many landowners is finding a balance between goals.  
 

Step 2: Evaluate Your woods

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Boots on the ground is the best way for a forester to gauge current conditions in your woods.  If you can join the forester on their walk and point out any particularly interesting or concerning areas, even better!  Foresters will look at a variety of different aspects of the forest based on your goals.  If you are interested in financial gain from a timber harvest, the trees will be assessed for merchantability (size, species, quality, etc.).  If you are looking to increase habitat for a specific wildlife species, then the forester will be looking for habitat requirements such as forest types, food availability, winter cover, etc..  Areas of special concern such as streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands will also be assessed.

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Step 3: Consider any additional factors

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Talk with your forester about any concerns you may have regarding management.  Are you interesting in timber harvesting?  Do you have or want to install any recreational trails?  Are aesthetics an issue?  Will habitat management require expenses?  Do you want to create open areas such as food plots?  

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Step 4: Choose strategies to meet your goals

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After you and your forester have discussed everything in detail, he/she will provide some recommendations for how to work towards reaching your goals.  If a timber harvest or other active strategy is discussed, your forester may be able to help you through the planning and implementation process if you choose.  They may also be able to help you find financial assistance to help pay for some of the practices.

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Step 5: Consider a forest management plan

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Although you may have a much better starting point after talking with your forester, a written plan is a much more reliable way to go forward.  Forest management plans do not necessarily have to incorporate timber harvesting.  A management plan is a comprehensive written document that summarizes the woodlot's forest ecosystem as a whole including tree characteristics, forest types, wildlife species and habitat suitability, soil and water quality, etc.  It also outlines your personal goals for the property, and a plan with strategies on how to meet them over the short and long term.

There are many kinds of forest management plans, so be sure to talk with your forester about what type of plan would best benefit you.  Some plans are even eligible for cost-share assistance to help pay for having a plan written!