Why Should I Be Concerned About Managing My Timber?

One of the biggest misconceptions that we see with landowners is the idea that if the land has trees on it, nothing needs to be done but watch them grow.  This is far from the truth and can be very costly.  If proper management is not carried out, growth can be much reduced.  This means a reduction in future value.  I can give you a number of examples of tracts of land with and without good timber management that have been sold.  In most cases the tract with the managed timber will sell significantly higher compared to the same sized tract in the same area that has had no timber management.

The best way to maximize the benefits of timber management is to start the process right after the harvest of the tract or when converting open land to forest.  A cutover hardwood tract which is left to regenerate naturally will usually only produce low-quality hardwoods which will have very little value even after 30 or 40 years.  Even though some hardwood stands are managed very successfully, techniques vary with species.

The most popular management programs are done with pine timber, primarily because pine timber is faster growing and has shorter growing cycles.  It is imperative that the proper number of trees be planted and survive through the first year or two.  If the tract was not burned after the harvest, it will probably need a herbicide application after the first or second year to cut back on the hardwood competition.  Pine trees are very intolerant to shade and will die over-shadowed by the hardwood competition.  If the hardwood competition is knocked back with a herbicide application in the first couple of years, it will give the pines a chance to get established and get a head start on the competition.

The County Forester will work closely with the landowner during this time to insure that the recommended contractors are used for planting and herbicide application as well insuring the use of superior seedlings that give maximum growth.  They also monitor the survival rate of the seedlings.  There are both state and federal programs that will provide cost sharing usually up to 40% of the total cost, however application for these funds have to be made through the County Forester.  He can also check the availability of funds.

Spacing on the planted trees is critical to insure natural pruning without slowing growth.  Between 15 to 20 years of age a thinning should be done to maximize and maintain the rate of growth.  Usually several hundred dollars per acre of revenue can be derived from a thinning.  A delay of this thinning will stunt growth and reduce your financial return.

A second thinning at age 25 to 26 years of age is ideal, however many people bypass this one and wait for a final harvest at age 30 to 35 years.  We are asked quite frequently why harvest by age 35?  The growth cycle for Loblolly pine, which is the most popular species for planting, starts to decrease in its rate of growth between age 30 and 35 years.  Therefore, the final harvest between age 30 and 35 is the best economic cycle.  However, if the timber markets are down or for other reasons it may warrant waiting a year or two to harvest.  That is the benefit of owning timber, it is not like wheat or corn which has to be harvested in a relatively short window of time.

The time and money spent in being proactive in timber management will reap nice returns no matter what part of the cycle you are in because growing well managed timber adds value to the land.

If you own or are anticpating buying or selling a tract of timberland, talk to a Forester or a knowledgeable Land Broker to determine the best way to maximize your return.  The brokers at Grant Massie Land Company have that knowledge and can assist you in your decision making process.