eveloping forests that attract wildlife, offer recreational amenities, and provide timber for income and products is not just a matter of watching the trees grow; it takes careful planning and active, long-term management.

"The role of forest management is to keep the land profitable, and at the same time accommodate wildlife and recreational use while protecting the environment," according to Rick Hamilton, extension forester with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at North Carolina State University in Raleigh.

Forest management practices include such activities as thinning, harvesting, reforestation and prescribed burning, all of which can be used to improve or maintain forest health, provide wildlife habitat, and keep rivers and streams running clean.

But to effectively use these and other forest management techniques, landowners must first determine their objectives for their forest land and establish a plan to achieve those goals.

"Every forest landowner owns the land for somewhat different reasons," said Jeff Pardue, a forestry consultant in Wilkesboro, N.C. "It’s important that each landowner identify why they have the land and what their objectives are. They have to determine whether they own it just for recreation, hunting, enjoyment, timber investment or for multiple reasons."

Since many landowners are unfamiliar with the process of identifying objectives and developing a management plan, most turn to foresters like Pardue for assistance. Foresters are trained professionals who have the expertise and knowledge needed to assist landowners in managing their forests for both short-term and long-term goals. Among the services professional foresters provide are advice on timber stand improvement; recommendations on attracting wildlife to the forest; appraising and marketing timber; coordinating reforestation efforts; protecting forests against insects, disease and fire; and assuring that forest management activities comply with environmental laws and regulations. In addition to consulting foresters, foresters with the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and forest products companies also provide valuable services to forest landowners.

"With proper management and the assistance of a professional forester, landowners can enjoy a full array of benefits on their land," said Bob Slocum, executive vice president of the North Carolina Forestry Association. "And because well managed lands are generally healthier and more productive, they usually provide greater economic return on the investment. This economic value, in turn, encourages landowners to keep their land in trees rather than converting it to other non-forest uses such as neighborhoods or shopping centers."

Hamilton agrees. "Research shows that landowners who work with a professional forester tend to have more productive timber stands and somewhere in the range of 38 percent higher profit on timber sales as a result," he said.

"The important thing is for landowners to consult a professional to ensure that they are managing their land in a way that not only meets their objectives, but also is good for the environment," Slocum said.

Parker Lumpkin and his family own forest land in Franklin County and are among the thousands of North Carolinians who benefit from the expertise of a forester. "I think professional foresters are absolutely indispensible in managing forest lands," said Lumpkin, who has worked with a consulting forester for more than 20 years. "I would not do a single thing without a forester involved."

Equally important to working with a professional is having a management plan that details what needs to take place to achieve the landowner’s goals. Among the things a management plan outlines are when to thin or prescribe burn forests, when to harvest timber and how much to harvest, where to plant vegetation to attract wildlife, and how to protect other natural resources on the property such as rivers, streams and other unique features.

"Having a forest management plan is also important for landowners who want to qualify for use-value taxation," Slocum said. "Under the use-value tax program, landowners may elect to have their property taxes based on the property’s current use rather than its ‘highest and best use.’ This can result in significant tax savings each year." General qualifications for the use-value tax program are ownership of a minimum of 20 acres and management of the land for commercial timber production. Many county tax offices require formal forest management plans to document that the land is being managed for timber.

To assure that his family’s forest management plan stays current, Lumpkin reviews the plan with his forester on an annual basis. "Each year he draws up a written plan for all of our forestry interests and makes recommendations about actions that need to be taken," Lumpkin said. "The forester is in the woods a lot more than I am, so he is our ‘eyes and ears’ in the forests. He will identify any problems we have like beavers or bug infestations. When there are problems, he (the forester) coordinates things like trapping the beavers or getting rid of the bug infestation."

While his family owns large tracts of farm and forest land, making professional management assistance essential, Lumpkin believes that landowners who own smaller woodlots can benefit from the services of a consulting forester too. "I know landowners with 50 or fewer acres, down to 15 to 16 acres, who find out that it is to their advantage to use a forester," he said.

"The thing about being a forest landowner is that it’s not something that requires daily attention. Since most owners, like myself, have other jobs, we don’t have all the contacts and knowledge that a forester has. It would take an owner a great deal of time to find out where to turn for services and information. The forester already has that knowledge and ability."

For information on foresters in your area, contact the N.C. Division of Forest Resources at 919-733-2162 or visit the division’s web site.

Home * Careers * Continuing Education *  Ecology  * Forest Management * Forest Products *  Glossary * Landowners * Latest News * Logging and Transportation * Members Only * More Info * N.C. Forests  * Programs *
   *Recreation * Resource Materials *  Rules & Regs* Trees