Part 3- Programs to Consider for Your Private Woodland

Today we are wrapping up the three-part series of “Programs to Consider for Your Private Woodland”. We will be tackling the: Forest Certification, Wisconsin Forestry Legacy Program, and touching on Harvesting Your Woods. The Forest Certification has three major land management programs that are administered by the DNR and independently verified by a third-party forest certification.

These independent, third-party certifications mean the forests within Wisconsin, managed DNR, meet strict ecological, social, and economic sustainability. These “standards” are met because of the consumer demands their wood product (be it a book or a 2×4) be harvested responsibly and sustainably. And global competition is huge, so the need to stay competitive with the increasing demand for “certified raw materials”.

The Wisconsin DNR holds the certificate for 27 participating counties with 2.4 million acres. Each county is free to choose from two programs which are the Sustainable Forestry Initiative^® and Forest Stewardship Council^®.  You as a private landowner can participate in certification through MFL (Managed Forest Law) which is a program we mentioned previously.

WISCONSIN FORESTRY LEGACY PROGRAM

The WFLP aims to keep forests as forests. They are interested in forests that are large, and unfragmented; providing great public benefit as well high conservation value. The FLP’s purpose is to protect forests for their cultural value, scenic view, habitats they provide for wildlife, fish, and other ecological value.

The program is implemented through the State Grant Program, which allows the State of Wisconsin to hold title to ALL conservation easements or deeds for any land entered into the program.

Land-owner participation is voluntary and as always, be sure you have a full understanding of what participating in the program means for you and your family, as well as the next person who purchases your land.  Programs have great financial implications going into them and coming out of them, they are contractual and legally binding. Failure to participate or remove yourself from the program generally results in a hefty tax as well as penalties.

HARVESTING YOUR WOODS

Part of owning a wooded property is the management of its growth and recognition of the habitat woods provide. Harvesting timber is an important tool in managing your property. Cutting down timber provides habitat for wildlife, controls disease, opens up scenic views, making recreational trails, renews growth, and can earn income.

Whether you have owned a wooded property for years, or you are new to owning woods, if you own five wooded acres or more, a local DNR Service Forester would be happy to set up an appointment and do a walk-through of your woods with you. This walk will provide you with a great education about trees and how to properly manage wooded properties, as well as a time to share with the DNR Service Forester your ideas and values.

This is a free service offered by the DNR and you are under no obligation. The DNR Service Forester will provide you with a detailed letter outlining his recommendations from your walk-through of your wooded property. Simply click here, and fill out the Forestor Locator questionnaire and you will be given the names of local DNR Service Foresters.

IN’S AND OUT’S OF SELLING TIMBER

If you are considering selling your timber, the first step is to contact a professional forester. The forester, like a UC MLP real estate agent, should serve and represent your best interests. A few items to look for in a great forester are:

1. year of experience, references, and background information (BBB)
2.  professional organizations your forester is affiliated with
3. education, along with special skills your wooded property may require

A great list of questions to ask your potential forester would be:

1. What are your professional fees? Do you charge hourly, by the wooded acre or do you claim a percentage of the harvest?
2. Do you carry your own insurance? As well a liability, workmen’s compensation as well as “errors and omissions”?
3. How do you communicate with your client? Are you able through the entire project? What can I expect from you as my forester?

GET IT IN WRITING!

Once you and your forester have agreed, it’s best to get what you’ve agreed upon in writing. Your attorney, your UC MLP real estate agent and your accountant/tax consultant would be excellent professionals to contact for additional insight and to answer questions. It would be a bonus to get a surveyor in and make sure the forester is aware of the property lines.

Below are a few “golden nuggets” to have in your contract:

1. location- know where the property lines are, plat maps, google earth pictures, county recorder tax parcel maps
2. who will mark the property lines? You or the forester?
3. services described and timeline of completion
4. inspections to be done and are YOU, the landowner required to supervise
5. all required documentation, permits, forms, legal requirements need to perform these actions
6. who keeps track of and/or owns the data- maps, surveying reports, timber data
7. what you’ve agreed to pay for services rendered and how they are to be paid
8. penalties for either you or the forester not living up to the contract, fees for late payment

Once all those items have been addressed and settled you can move forward with your timber harvesting and sale of your timber.

Managing your wooded property is an “investment you can stand on”. Not only does well-managed woods provide a lifetime of hunting, beauty, and enjoyment but opportunities to earn income for years to come. As your Midwest Lifestyle Properties real estate agent we look forward to working with you and helping you find that perfect property.

Resources:

1. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/timbersales/countyforests