Determine what you want your woodlands to provide. This first step defines what aspects of your woodland are important to you, and it should also be done periodically as wants and needs change. What is most important: wildlife, recreation, timber, woodland streams? It can also get very specific; for example what type of wildlife interests you most: wildlife associated with a very young forest or that associated with a more mature forested condition? Service Foresters, Professional Consulting Foresters and Industry Foresters can provide this service.

Assess the woodland’s condition. Knowing what you want your woodlands to provide will determine what characteristics your forest needs. The woodland’s condition can then be measured against these characteristics. An inventory of relevant aspects of the forest will assist in determining the woodland’s condition. For example, if maximizing income from the timber is the prime directive, a forest composed of high value species may be desirable. An inventory of all the trees (called a cruise) will help determine what course of action will be needed. Service Foresters, Consulting Forest Technicians, Professional Consulting Foresters and Industry Foresters can provide this service.

Develop a management plan. The management plan is generally comprised of a description of the owners management objectives, the woodlands current condition and a set of prescribed activities that will help the woodland better meet the owners management objectives. Service Foresters, Professional Consulting Forester and Industry Foresters can provide this service.

Implement the plan. Depending on the nature of the existing woodland and the activities required to make the woodland into what the landowner wants may require a wide range of activities. Even maintaining woodland in its current condition will require some activities. There are a number tools that may be suggested in a management plan.

Tree Planting: this activity will expand existing forest or establish a forest. Service Foresters, Consulting Forestry Technicians and Professional Consulting Foresters can help set these practices up. Forestry Service Providers also carry out practices set up by Service Foresters or Professional Consulting Foresters.

Stand Improvement: these activities are designed to improve the composition, structure, condition, health and growth of a stand of trees. Examples are removing grapevines or releasing trees of wildlife value. Service Foresters and Professional Consulting Foresters can help set these activities up. In addition, a Professional Consulting Forester may be able to supervise or actually implement certain activities. Forestry Service Providers also carry out practices set up by Service Foresters or Professional Consulting Foresters.

Timber Harvest: a harvest is used to achieve many woodland management needs and objectives. This activity can generate revenue for the landowner if the timber is of sufficient amount and quality. A harvest prescription set up and carried out by a knowledgeable forester will ensure that the harvest meets the needs of the landowner. Marketing the timber and overseeing the proper implementation of the harvest are critical to landowner satisfaction. Service Foresters can develop a harvest prescription and on a limited basis, mark trees to be harvested. A Professional Consulting Forester can do that and market the timber, develop and enforce contracts to ensure proper implementation of the harvest. Industry Foresters can develop a harvest prescription, mark trees to be harvested, buy the logs, and see that the trees are harvested.

Basis: This is a way of measuring cost or investment in timber and other assets. It is used to figure amortization for new tree plantings, depletion when the timber is sold or disposed of, the deduction for depreciation and casualty loss. The initial basis, or book value, of timber should be established at the time it is acquired. Whether property is received by purchase, gift or inheritance, it’s value often includes land, buildings or other assets in addition to timber, and the basis of the timber must be separated from the basis of the other assets. When the timber is sold, gain or loss is determined by comparing the timber’s adjusted basis to its sale price - How To Determine Your Timber Basis. Professional Consulting Foresters can perform this service for landowners.

Property Tax Reduction Programs for Forest Land: Forest land that is managed for forest products may be eligible for one of Ohio’s tax reduction programs: Ohio Forest Tax Law or Current Agricultural Use Value. Service Foresters can assist in getting you started toward enrolling your land in one of these programs.

Other Practices: structures or practices such as wildlife habitat improvements may be necessary to meet a woodland owner’s management objectives. A forester can prescribe activities to this end. Service Foresters, Consulting Forestry Technicians and Professional Consulting Foresters offer this service.

Cost-Share Assistance: various government programs may exist to help implement certain woodland practices by sharing the cost of implementation with the woodland owner. For example, the government may have funds available to cover half of the cost of planting trees under certain circumstances. Service Foresters have the responsibility for approving landowners for available cost-share assistance.

Periodically assess woodland condition. Forests are constantly changing through natural and introduced processes. It is important that periodic assessments of its condition be performed to assure the health and maximum potential for meeting the woodland owners needs.