Other Relevant Timber Information
Stumpage price variation and the value of bids. An article from the Massachusetts Forestry Association Woodland Steward explaining how stumpage prices can vary, and the importance of seeing what the "market will bear". Here is a similar version of the same study, published in the Northern Journal of Applied Forestry [pdf].
Common elements of a contract It is ALWAYS advisable to have a written contract when selling stumpage or standing timber. Since the goals of landowners, foresters, and loggers may vary, it is difficult to have one single contract that may be applicable in all circumstances. Nevertheless, there are common elements of a contract that are always advisable, and may be fine-tuned to fit certain circumstances.
Foresters and the care of your land (html version). (pdf version) A good way to ensure that you have an effective contract, and to get the best price for your timber is to work with a private forester. (brochure presented with permission of the Southern New England Forestry Consortium, SNEFCI: (800) 772-8733 info@snefci.org)
2004 Massachusetts consulting forestry expense survey results. Private foresters licensed in Massachusetts responded to a survey asking what they charge for a variety of services such as: management plans, timber sale marking and administration, and other activities. html pdf.
National timber tax web site. An excellent source of information for woodland owners on all aspects of taxation, including timber transactions. How will you treat that stumpage income from a timber sale?
Tax Tips for Forest Landowners for the 2007 Tax Year courtesy of the USDA Forest Service.
Southern New England Logger Education Program, leading to Certified Professional Loggers . The purpose of the Southern New England Logger Education Program is to improve logger professionalism, performance, and image and to assure the public that timber harvesting is being practiced in a manner that is consistent with the goal of sustainable forestry. The program also provides a framework for the professional logger to meet the Massachusetts and Connecticut state licensing requirements for continuing education and the logger education component of the American Forest and Paper Association's Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Follow this link to Mount Wachusett Community College's Program in Logger Education, and review the list of currently certified loggers.
MA directory of sawmills and dry kilns. 2006. produced by Gordon Boyce (MA Dept of Conservation & Recreation) and Dave Damery (UMass - Amherst Dept of Natural Resources Conservation).
FORVAL: Forest Valuation online calculator for forestry investments (e.g., monthly or annual payments, stumpage price projection, financial analysis):
"Silvicultural Options for Managing Hemlock Forests Threatened by Hemlock Wooly Adelgid", David Orwig (Harvard Forest) and David Kittredge (UMass-Amherst). pdf version: - (1.3 Mb) A brief fact sheet that reviews Hemlock Wooly Adelgid biology, silvicultural options, Best Management Practices, and considerations for making an informed decision about the future of hemlock stands.
CT Forest and Park Association's Applied Research Notes.
"The first three reports examine price trends for major Connecticut timber species. The trends are important because the either add to or detract from the basic biological productivity of timber growth and improvements in log quality with size and age. The fourth report integrates our general understanding of growth, quality, and price trends in analysis of timber investments."
