OUR MISSION STATMENT
We are foresters. We strive in consulting with landowners to assist them with developing their timber using a system of principles, objectives and performance measures that integrate the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with the protection of wildlife, plants, soil and water quality.
Timber Management
In order to determine the amount of volume in a stand of timber, a "cruise" must be performed. This is the first step in proper management. Knowing what a landowner currently has (species, size, age, distribution, density) can determine the best course of action to take. With this information, we can determine whether the timber needs to be thinned, clearcut, or just plain let alone so it can grow. We also provide long-distance security, caretaking, and maintenance for landowners who live several hours or several states away. Poaching, vandalism, encroachment, and timber theft is not an uncommon practice. We install and maintain gates and property lines, and check for signs of poaching, vandalism, and timber theft. We also check the timber for damage and disease that may need immediate attention.
Management / Stewardship Plans
A management / stewardship plan is an outline that indicates the best course of action and direction to achieve a set of results based upon the goals and objectives set by the landowner and the forester. The type of plans we develop will serve as a guide in maximizing the capabilities of the forest with the objectives of the landowner. A management / stewardship plan is needed in order to apply for state and federal government cost share programs which can assist in paying for site preparation, purchasing and planting of trees, and many other silvicultural practices. Some programs will actually reimburse you the cost of improving your land up to 75 percent! Not only that, you don't even have to pay for the Stewardship Plan, as the government pays us to write a plan for you.
Timber Sales
If a tract is ready to be harvested or the landowner is in need of money, a timber sale is the step to be taken. The tedious process of getting the highest value for your timber can and should only be done by a forester. Foresters have working relationships with timber buyers and loggers and have a much better opportunity in getting the best price as well as looking out for your best interests while following suggested Best Management Practices (BMPs). We prepare invitation-to-bid prospectuses and send them out to all interested parties in which they will offer their best price for the timber or timber and land. We then hold a public opening of bids and determine the winner of the timber. We prepare a personalized contract between the landowner and timber buyer in which the full purchase price is paid up front and the buyer is given limited time to remove the designated timber. This contract will protect the landowner from unnecessary damage to the remaining stand and environment from the logger and will ensure that the best possible job is done. We also monitor the logging process to make sure all terms are met and that the land and remaining timber will be enhanced through carefully selected harvests.
Prescribed Burning
Fire is an important part of the life of the tract. It is a natural need. Bringing fire back into the life cycle of the land cannot only eliminate thick unwanted understory, but it will help control pests and diseases that could harm or kill trees. We perform prescribe burns when the tract needs it, whether it be to clean up the area after it is logged and prepare it for re-planting, or just a wildlife burn that decreases the understory so wildlife can utilize the stand for needed food and cover.
Forest GPS/GIS Mapping
Having an idea of what your tract looks like can help you make decisions about the future of the stand, such as placement of future plantations, roads, deer stands, wildlife sanctuaries, and other considerations. This can also show the slope, soil type, elevations, and vegetation types. Infrared photos will show the percentage of pine versus hardwood in your tract. We provide natural color or infrared photos and an array of mapping services for landowners as well as hunters and hunting clubs.
Boundary Line Maintenance
Knowing where your property begins and ends not only helps loggers and hunters on yours or adjoining land, but also helps to keep the relationship between neighboring landowners on good terms. Once the property line is established, we come in and properly mark the trees along the line with paint or flagging so that the line is obvious and easy to see.
We don't just limit ourselves to the woods. Using the latest technology and software developed we can provide accurate data on assets such as telephone/electric poles, junction boxes, manholes, and urban/residential trees. We provide updated damage report, installations, illegal mounting and other pertinent data to have before you go out into the field. We also provide the software needed to manage these assets.
Herbicide Application
Herbicide application is very common when a landowner wishes to plant a hayfield in pine. Prepping the field with a burn and then applying herbicide after the seedlings are planted ensure that the trees will not have to compete with grass for nutrients and water. Another method of application is when unmerchantable trees are left from a harvest operation and need to be killed so they won’t be competition for the newly planted seedlings.
Wildlife Management
Properly managed land can lead to an abundance of wildlife. Depending on the goals of a landowner, wildlife can flourish with the right vegetation and cover. With the use of proper herd management, habitat management, hunter management, and herd monitoring (depending on the size of the managed land), one can successfully grow quality bucks. We can establish Streamside Management Zones (SMZ), not only to protect the quality of the river, creek, or pond, but also to provide a suitable environment that wildlife can use as their partial sanctuary. Knowing if a landowner has endangered species on the land and planning around that can keep them out of hot water with the government.
