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Started By
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Timber Management Plan
Posted on 3/11/26 at 1:10 pm
Posted on 3/11/26 at 1:10 pm
Looking for opinion on timber management plans and some pros and cons. The land is in West TN and I know the active posters here are mostly in Louisiana and Mississippi but I trust I can get some halfway decent opinions here.
Backstory- 500 acres more or less of mixed hardwoods. Parts of it was select cut in 2005, parts have never been logged. I get a mailbox full of logger solicitations every day. The state of TN has about 12-18 month backlog of property owners waiting on Div. of Forestry to help analyze property.
So my best option, that I can tell, is to hire a timber consultant to inventory and market the timber on commission and making a management plan for future cuts.
Does anyone here have horror stories from hiring a timber consultant that I should avoid? I do not believe dealing directly with a logger is the best option, even if I were to get multiple bids, I feel like I could get screwed numerous ways without having an advocate monitoring the process for me.
Any input from experience in this area is appreciated.
Backstory- 500 acres more or less of mixed hardwoods. Parts of it was select cut in 2005, parts have never been logged. I get a mailbox full of logger solicitations every day. The state of TN has about 12-18 month backlog of property owners waiting on Div. of Forestry to help analyze property.
So my best option, that I can tell, is to hire a timber consultant to inventory and market the timber on commission and making a management plan for future cuts.
Does anyone here have horror stories from hiring a timber consultant that I should avoid? I do not believe dealing directly with a logger is the best option, even if I were to get multiple bids, I feel like I could get screwed numerous ways without having an advocate monitoring the process for me.
Any input from experience in this area is appreciated.
5
Posted on 3/11/26 at 1:16 pm to Lunchbox48
Just pay for a timber cruise and he should give you a document showing what you have and where you have it. No further obligation IMHO.
Posted on 3/11/26 at 2:00 pm to Lunchbox48
quote:
So my best option, that I can tell, is to hire a timber consultant
start here
Association of Consulting Foresters
This post was edited on 3/12/26 at 1:53 pm
Posted on 3/11/26 at 3:36 pm to Lunchbox48
I am in a similar situation and also in TN (property in Decatur Co). I contacted Pete Moditz with the state. He said they are short on foresters and he was working 5 counties. He did provide a list of private foresters and timber consultants.
I reached out to 4 foresters and only heard back from one who was booked up. He gave me this for an estimate: average cost of an appraisal is $12-$15/forested acre and if you want a detailed plan to apply for cost share practices another 5 dollars/acre.
I can send you the list if you want to provide your email. Also, interested in what you fine out.
I reached out to 4 foresters and only heard back from one who was booked up. He gave me this for an estimate: average cost of an appraisal is $12-$15/forested acre and if you want a detailed plan to apply for cost share practices another 5 dollars/acre.
I can send you the list if you want to provide your email. Also, interested in what you fine out.
Posted on 3/11/26 at 3:50 pm to Lunchbox48
No horror stories from here in Louisiana. So much of it depends on what you’re trying to achieve. Quality wildlife habitat or financial reward. While you can achieve both, normally wildlife habitat requires cutting more trees than some landowners want.
Be sure to share with your consultant what your goals for the property are.
Be sure to share with your consultant what your goals for the property are.
Posted on 3/11/26 at 6:41 pm to meltingman
I appreciate it. I’ve contacted Pete myself and have a good list of options he gave me as well.
Decatur county (and Henderson county) used to have Bill Smith as forester but he passed away about 5 years or so ago. They have not had a qualified forester replace him. Bill and his son managed our property in Lexington for 30 years as a side job.
I have two Consultants lined up to evaluate the property over the next few weeks. Both were willing to give me a look for free at least.
I have learned having someone you can trust either way you go is invaluable in forestry.
Decatur county (and Henderson county) used to have Bill Smith as forester but he passed away about 5 years or so ago. They have not had a qualified forester replace him. Bill and his son managed our property in Lexington for 30 years as a side job.
I have two Consultants lined up to evaluate the property over the next few weeks. Both were willing to give me a look for free at least.
I have learned having someone you can trust either way you go is invaluable in forestry.
Posted on 3/11/26 at 6:58 pm to Lunchbox48
Do you mind telling me the timber consultants names? The one I heard back from is Jonathon Boggs.
I have also been contacted by the Tennessee White Oak initiative to do a free management plan, but I think they are more interested in landowners setting up a land trust.
FYI - my property is between Parsons and I-40.
I have also been contacted by the Tennessee White Oak initiative to do a free management plan, but I think they are more interested in landowners setting up a land trust.
FYI - my property is between Parsons and I-40.
This post was edited on 3/12/26 at 10:04 am
Posted on 3/11/26 at 8:03 pm to meltingman
Look up Wildlife Investments or The Habitat Network. Both are relatively new groups of consulting professionals who have assembled a team of experienced biologists/foresters/etc. Depending on your goals they can direct you toward a professional in your area.
Posted on 3/11/26 at 8:31 pm to meltingman
I have Austin Carroll from Tennessee Timber Consultants and Bill Canale from Canale Forest management coming by. I have requests out to about eight other people. I’m approaching it as numbers game and that someone qualified will want the business.
Posted on 3/11/26 at 8:32 pm to KB375
Thanks, I will look into both of these and see what’s available in my area.
Posted on 3/11/26 at 9:35 pm to KB375
quote:
Wildlife Investments
Damn, what a line up...I bet their services aren't cheap...
I love listening to Lashley and Strickland, though. Those guys legit know their stuff.
quote:
The Habitat Network
I looked into this from both sides--I don't like how everything is vague and the real information is hidden behind a paywall. You don't know if there's anyone remotely close until you pay whoever created that website. And I can't tell if anyone can just sign up as a professional, or if someone has to "approve" of your expertise. Seems about as legit as a Certified Wildlife Biologist.
I've always chuckled at colleagues who have paid for that stuff, because I've never had a client ask me if I was a CWB. But, to each their own.
This post was edited on 3/11/26 at 9:36 pm
Posted on 3/11/26 at 10:19 pm to Lunchbox48
Hire a forester. I went through this…hired one midway….timber guys wanna cut to make money…they can’t help it…they’ll screw you on what they remove..ie…oak, mixed, pulp..which varies of $/ton…also, can’t trust the weight scales…
Posted on 3/12/26 at 6:09 am to Cowboyfan89
Wildlife Investments really seems to have a great group of people to help handle most everything. Their Podcast and youtube videos are very well done and informative as well.
If we ever try a consultant on our place they would be my first call.
If we ever try a consultant on our place they would be my first call.
Posted on 3/12/26 at 8:12 am to Da Hammer
Well if you're ever interested in seeing what a local guy would cost/can offer, I'd love a chance to talk.
Not knocking Strickland and Co., but the guys like them and Land & Legacy are high demand because of their podcasts and videos. And their prices reflect that demand. Not saying they aren't good, because they definitely are, but there are guys out there just as good that aren't as high priced and probably more available.
I remember when L&L first became big and it was just Adam and Matt. Now they have tiered consulting services--gotta pay more to get one of them out there versus a junior guy.
Apologies for taking the thread down a different route (although the same ideas apply to forestry).
OP, might be worth reaching out to NRCS as well if you aren't satisfied with what you hear from the guys you have lined up, or state forester doesn't have any more recommendations. They might have a lead on some other guys that the state didn't recommend.
Not knocking Strickland and Co., but the guys like them and Land & Legacy are high demand because of their podcasts and videos. And their prices reflect that demand. Not saying they aren't good, because they definitely are, but there are guys out there just as good that aren't as high priced and probably more available.
I remember when L&L first became big and it was just Adam and Matt. Now they have tiered consulting services--gotta pay more to get one of them out there versus a junior guy.
Apologies for taking the thread down a different route (although the same ideas apply to forestry).
OP, might be worth reaching out to NRCS as well if you aren't satisfied with what you hear from the guys you have lined up, or state forester doesn't have any more recommendations. They might have a lead on some other guys that the state didn't recommend.
Posted on 3/12/26 at 1:20 pm to Cowboyfan89
Matt Brock and Jerremy Ferguson are the driving force behind The Habitat Network. They also have the Southern U podcast. Both have state wildlife agency experience and are well versed in land/wildlife etc.
They will not sign any consultant into their program that is not thoroughly vetted.
They will not sign any consultant into their program that is not thoroughly vetted.
Posted on 3/12/26 at 3:00 pm to KB375
quote:
Matt Brock and Jerremy Ferguson are the driving force behind The Habitat Network. They also have the Southern U podcast.
Hadn't heard of this one before. Found the episode where they talk about THN, so I may have to listen to that to see what they say.
I don't do this full-time right now, but that's an interesting concept if it works. Although the content they are offering isn't unique, and not sure it's worth $45/yr. I get that they are offering other things like zoom meetings, videos, and a library, but there's hundreds of YouTube channels, Instagram, and Facebook pages that do the same thing. Kudos to them if it works out and they make money off of it, though.
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