Indiana Conservation Officers and the DNR Division of Forestry are providing useful tips to landowners that can assist in protecting their valuable timber resources. To protect forestry resources, landowners should follow these steps:

1. Hire a consultant forester to represent you and to mark and advertise your timber sale.
2. Always get several bids from different timber buyers.
3. Ask questions and get references from the timber buyer.
4. Mark the trees to be cut with a paint mark on the stem and at ground level.
5. Know and understand the fine details of the contract.
6. Never make an oral agreement.
7. Know how much you will be paid and the method of payment.
8. Be a good neighbor and work out any property line disputes prior to harvesting.

The DNR offers a free information packet titled “callb4ucut” to those who may be considering harvesting their timber. See www.callb4ucut.com for further information.

For workshops on timber harvesting, check out the FNR Calendar and IN DNR Calendar.

For a list of consulting foresters, see The Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners Association‘s (IFWOA) Directory of Professional Foresters.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources