Private Landowners
Private citizens own more than 40% of Minnesota's forests. Over 2,400 private landowners, representing approximately one million acres, participate in the tree farm program in Minnesota. The Minnesota Private Forest Management Programs (FMPs) were created to educate, encourage and enhance the efforts of all private landowners who are interested in tree farming and the production of timber.
Click below for Free PDF downloads regarding Sustainable Forestry and Invasive Species of MN.
Forestry Assistance
The type of forestry assistance desired by a landowner will vary. If you are a landowner just beginning to manage your forest land, you may first want to seek assistance from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources-Division of Forestry. A state forester will be able to assist you in identifying your management objectives. The amount of time that a state forester can spend on your property, however, is limited. Landowners of large properties or those contemplating a timber harvest may want to seek assistance from an industry forester or a private consulting forester.
Check out some of our Private and Public sources of forestry assistance available to the forest landowners of Minnesota.
Tools
Timber Should Always Be Sold Through a Written Contract.
A contract is a legally binding document that protects both you and the buyer by listing and clarifying the responsibilities of each party. Sample contracts are available from any professional timber harvesters and foresters. You may want to have it drafted or checked by an attorney.
"Pay-As-Cut" or "Lump Sum"
Under the Lump Sum method of sale, the landowner sells the timber outright for a fixed amount agreed upon in advance. In the Pay-As-Cut method, both parties determine the volume of timber to be cut and negotiate a price per unit (board foot, ton, cord, etc.) to be paid to the landowner after the logger delivers the logs to the mill or mills.
Which Method Is Better?
It depends. The choice of lump-sum or pay-as-cut sales method should be made after you seek advice on the tax implications of the two sale methods.
At a minimum, a good timber sale contract should:
- Describe the land and boundary lines and guarantee the title.
- Specify the amount of timber being sold, its location, and its marketing method. Describe the logging methods, utilization standards, and merchantability. Include a map of your property with the harvest boundaries clearly marked.
- Specify the location of log landings, roads, and skid trails (if desired) and require that those areas be stabilized and revegetated (if appropriate) after harvesting.
- Specify the time period covered by the contract. Logging contracts usually cover at least two dry logging periods (18-24 months).
- Prohibit excessive damage to unmarked trees and improved property such as buildings, fences and roads.
- Specify the penalties the buyer must pay if unmarked or undesignated trees are cut or damaged.
- Assign liability for losses caused by the buyer or his agents to protect the landowner from workers’ compensation claims, liability lawsuits, and property damage claims.
- Specify protection of soil, water, and recreational values.
- Require the use of Best Management Practices, BMPs (available at your local forestry or county Extension office, or from loggers and foresters) where appropriate.
- Require that the buyer abide by all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
- Allow the sale agreement to be assigned to another logger only with the written consent of the seller.
Choosing a Quality Logger
Choosing an experienced and qualified logger can make all the difference between creating a positive future for you, you family and your forest - and an unfortunate and irreversible amount of damage to your land. The vital job of selecting the right logger for timber harvest is now much easier thanks to educational programs and Best Management Practices that are being widely used. This information will help you to act wisely while preparing for the harvest of your trees.
What Questions To Ask?
Landowners should exercise as much care in selecting a timber harvester as they would in choosing a carpenter or painter for their home. The following questions, if asked with sincerity and good humor, will help greatly in the selection process.
Questions To Ask Loggers:
- How long have you been in business?
- How long have current crew members been with you?
- Are you and your employees covered by workers’ compensation and liability insurance? What are the dollar limits, and what kinds of accidents are covered? Will you provide me with certificates of workers’ compensation and liability insurance?
- What kinds of equipment do you use? How does it match up with the conditions and requirements of my site?
- Do you handle the entire logging process, or use subcontractors for part of the work? If the latter, how do you ensure your quality goals are met?
- What types of roads and skid trails do you normally construct? What equipment do you use to build them? How will my skid trails, landings, and haul roads look when you’ve completed the logging operation?
- Have you completed any kind of logger training/continuing education program? Are you accredited, certified, or licensed in any way?
- How would you handle a dispute over timber trespass (the inadvertent or willful theft of timber) or cutting practices? What options do I have if my or my neighbor’s property is damaged?
- What Best Management Practices do you normally implement? Which ones would be needed on my forest?
- Can you supply me with references of previous jobs and the names of some mills you deal with?
Questions To Ask When Checking a Logger's References:
- Did the logger fulfill verbal and written obligations for such things as road restoration, fence repair, and cleaning up trash?
- Was the logger willing to listen to your concerns and answer your questions directly?
- Did the logger get the job done efficiently and within the specified time limit? If not, why not? (Be aware that bad weather can cause unavoidable delays.)
- Did the logger take pride in his of her workers and equipment? How about in previous jobs? Was the logger willing to show you any of these?
- Was the logger careful to avoid damaging other trees and land improvements (gates, fences, culverts, etc.)? If there was damage, did he make appropriate repairs?
- Did the timber harvester seem concerned about environmental matters, such as wildlife habitat, water quality, and visual concerns? Did he stop or modify operations appropriately during wet weather?
- Did the logger communicate well with you? Did the logger explain, for example, any necessary changes in the operation? Was he or she flexible in responding to your needs? How were the logger’s relations with foresters and neighboring landowners?
- In what shape did the logger leave your skid trails, haul roads, and landings?
Would you use the logger for future timber harvests? Why or why not?For more information about choosing a logger visithe MLEP.
Best Management Practices
These practices include:
- Establishing "filter strips" and "shade strips" near streams and lakes to control runoff and protect fish.
- Minimizing erosion and sedimentation caused by construction and maintenance of forest access roads.
- Seeding, filling in ruts and installing water bars and erosion barriers.
- Preventing the spilling of fuels and lubricants.
The Filter Strip
To prevent erosion runoff, a strip of vegetation is maintained between the harvested area or access road and any adjacent water course, such as a stream or lake. The width of the area, or strip, varies according to the steepness of the slope.
"Minnesota's forest industry knows its future depends on an ongoing healthy and growing forest. I have found the industry not only to be cooperative but often independently taking research initiatives and other efforts to help ensure our forests' future."
Gerald A. Rose, Director DNR, Division of Forestry
Forest Management Practices Ensure Forests' Future
Forest management involves more than harvesting trees. It also involves sensitivity to other natural resources. Industry members exercise great care in following the 97 recommended practices to protect water quality, which were developed in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, the University of Minnesota, and the Department of Natural Resources. Known as "Water Quality Best Management Practices" (BMPs), these guidelines help ensure that timber harvesting has minimum impact on water quality.
For More Information On Minnesota's Best Management Practices.
Download Sustaining Minnesota Forest Resources: Voluntary Site-Level Forest Management Guidelines for Landowners, Loggers, and Resource Managers.