Managing your forest is a long-term endeavor with serious legal, financial, and environmental implications. Choosing a forester to assist you in managing your forest, a source of personal pride and enjoyment as well as a major portfolio asset, is an important process. A long-term satisfactory relationship with a forester you can trust is preferable to searching a list every time you require the services of a forester. Considerable advantage is gained in working with a forester who has become familiar with you, your forest, and its management plan.

Selecting a consulting forester

In Alabama any person who calls themselves a "forester" and works for hire on land that he does not own (state, federal and corporate lands excepted) must be registered by the Alabama Board of Registration for Foresters. The first question to ask of a potential consultant is whether they are registered in the State of Alabama. (You can examine the Code of Alabama that defines a registered forester, the Professional Code of Conduct subscribed to by registered foresters, and approved Forms of Certification used by registered foresters). You can check whether a consultant is listed as registered by going to Consulting Foresters. In addition, you may want to check whether the consultant is affiliated with one or more organizations of professional peers. Both the Association of Consulting Foresters and the Society of American Foresters promote high standards of professionalism through their membership requirements and ongoing programs. Membership in these organizations requires a professional forester to abide by a code of ethics. Membership also serves as an indication of a forester's level of professional commitment. You can also check whether a consultant is a member of the Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF) under Consulting Foresters.

Choose a consulting forester in the same way you would select any service-related business. Check the phone book and classified ads, ask friends and professional acquaintances, including other forest owners, your banker, lawyer, and accountant, or call the Alabama Forestry Commission, Alabama Cooperative Extension System county office, or one of the professional groups mentioned earlier.

Once you have selected several candidates from which to choose, determine whether an individual may have any conflict of interest that may influence the representation of your interests. Ask each to submit a resume, including documentation of professional experience, list of local client references, and estimated cost of services. Each consultant should outline the management alternatives available and explain why that particular firm can represent your interests. Call selected clients and inquire about their satisfaction with the job performed and, with their permission, visit their forest to see for yourself the nature and quality of service provided relative to the landowner's objectives.

Finally, as with any other service-related transaction, insist on a written agreement, with fees, services, obligations, terms, and principal parties clearly identified. All consultants will have forms of agreement that they use routinely. Read the agreement carefully and make sure you understand it. Ask questions. Have your attorney review the conditions of the agreement with you.

Costs of services

Fees vary with the individual and with the nature of the project. However, in all cases the rate and method of charge should be specified by the service agreement. Fees may be based on the actual time and expenses involved with the project, or may be set at an amount contracted in advance. If the contract involves the sale of timber, fees may be a percentage of the total amount of the transaction. You should keep in mind that fees associated with a timber sale are a cost of the sale, and as such can be deducted from the gross revenue for determining net income and calculating tax liability. In all cases, make sure you understand the terms and conditions of payment. Some landowners are hesitant to pay for a forester's services. A forester is a professional just like a doctor, lawyer, and a certified public accountant. Remember that you are paying for the consulting forester's expertise. A forester can help you meet the goals you have for your forest in an economical, environmentally and efficient manner.

General guidance

Be absolutely certain that the forester you select understands exactly the objectives you have for your forest. Explain your thoughts and expectations in clear terms. Simply asking your forester to "do what's right" is not enough. If you want your forest to look like a park and be a wildlife sanctuary, say so. If you want to maximize long-term or short-term income production, make it clear. Some foresters may try, with good intentions, to impose their own personal bias on your forest. Resist this--it is your forest! Decide what you want, work with your forester to decide how to achieve it, then direct your forester to do it.