Your forest is a valuable portfolio asset as well as a source of great enjoyment and periodic income. Proper management of this complex biological system requires the forestry and business skills and experience of a professional forester. A professional forester can help assure that your forest is managed in a manner that is environmentally sound, legally correct, and financially responsible. Although limited free forestry service and advice are available from various public and industry sources, consulting foresters offer the widest range of services.

Most forest owners should at sometime work with a consulting forester. While timber sales generate the most pressing need for professional assistance, there are other reasons for seeking a consulting forester: preparation of a management plan, estate and taxation planning, local representation of absentee landowners, whenever other forestry activities are anticipated, or when timber trespass or natural catastrophes impact or threaten your forest. As with other service-related transactions, it is extremely important to carefully choose a consulting forester. Take care in selecting the right one for your situation.

Costs vary with the project . Some services, such as appraisals and planning result in an immediate out-of-pocket expense, but should be viewed as an investment in forest stewardship which will likely save money or reduce costs in the future, or help you meet your stated objectives. Although timber sales are usually handled as a percentage of gross receipts, ample evidence exists to support the fact that even with the consultant's fee, the forester-assisted forest owner normally realizes a greater net sales return. The greater net income, combined with an environmentally sound forestry prescription for your forest, results in compelling justification for seeking professional forestry assistance as you contemplate forest management.

Make the most of your forest - Manage it with the assistance of a professional forester!

PUBLICATIONS REFERENCED

* DeCoster, L. 1984. Is a consulting forester worth the fee?, note from a "phantom forester." The American Tree Farmer, Vol. 1, No. 3. p. 15.DeCoster, L. 1984. Is a consulting forester worth the fee?, note from a "phantom forester." The American Tree Farmer, Vol. 1, No. 3. p. 15.

** Smith, S. 1988. Timber swindle tales: story #1. The Woodlander, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Warren, Forest, and Erie Counties. 2 pp. Smith, S. 1988. Timber swindle tales: story #1. The Woodlander, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Warren, Forest, and Erie Counties. 2 pp.

*** Cubbage, F. W., T. M. Skinner, and C. D. Risbrudt. 1985. An economic evaluation of the Georgia rural forestry assistance program. The University of Georgia, College of Agriculture Experiment Station, Research Bulletin 322. 59 pp.Cubbage, F. W., T. M. Skinner, and C. D. Risbrudt. 1985. An economic evaluation of the Georgia rural forestry assistance program. The University of Georgia, College of Agriculture Experiment Station, Research Bulletin 322. 59 pp.

**** Budelsky, C. A., J. H. Burde, F. H. Kung, D. R. McCurdy, and P. L. Roth. 1989. An evaluation of stated district forester timber marking assistance on non-industrial private forest lands in Illinois. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Department of Forestry. 93 pp.Budelsky, C. A., J. H. Burde, F. H. Kung, D. R. McCurdy, and P. L. Roth. 1989. An evaluation of stated district forester timber marking assistance on non-industrial private forest lands in Illinois. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Department of Forestry. 93 pp.

***** Jones, S. B. 1989. Timber Taxation: A general guide for woodlot owners. Penn State Cooperative Extension Circular 367.Jones, S. B. 1989. Timber Taxation: A general guide for woodlot owners. Penn State Cooperative Extension Circular 367.

Prepared by Stephen B. Jones, assistant professor of forest resources, and Roe S. Cochran, associate professor of forest resources.

This publication is available in alternative media on request.

Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of Congress May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Legislature. L.F. Hood, Director of Cooperative Extension, The Pennsylvania Stale University.

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