Hire a Consulting Forester

A timber sale is a process, and getting the best result involves several steps. This primer from the University of Wisconsin lays out seven steps to a good timber sale, and it largely mirrors the other Activities here on MyWoodlot’s “Harvest Timber” Goal.

NYS Cooperating Foresters are those listed with the states Department of Environmental Conservation. This statewide list shows where foresters work by numbered regions. Use the link below to determine which region your land is in.

Use this map from the DEC to determine which region your land is in.

Watershed Qualified Foresters have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in forestry and have received additional training in water quality protection from the New York City Watershed Agricultural Council. Most of these foresters focus on woodlands in southeastern New York.

This advice from Cornell Cooperative Extension discusses what to look for in a forester, including education, experience, and referrals. It also lists questions you can ask a forester before hiring them.