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Looking to cut and sell the trees on your land? It’s best to consult a state forester or other professional natural resources expert before you start cutting, according to Rich Cappell of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Forestry.

"It takes a long time to get the trees to the point where they can be marketed," he said. "It’s best to have a forest management plan and work with a professional."

Cappell noted that almost a third of Ohio is forested. Of that forest land, about 84 percent is owned by private non-industrial woodland owners, according to Ohio State University Extension.

Ohio has 21 state foresters who can help you develop a forest management plan, Cappell said. While there is no fee for this service, it can take several weeks before a state forester can start to help you because of backlogs, he said.

If you know that you want to market your timber, you might consider hiring a consulting forester who can assist in harvesting and marketing your timber. While state foresters can provide a comprehensive forest management plan, they typically provide limited marketing assistance. Consulting foresters often help oversee the harvesting and can shut down the operation if a problem comes up.

To find the names of consulting foresters in your area, contact the Ohio chapter of the Association of Consulting Foresters, www.acf-foresters.org, or check out ODNR’s Web site, www.dnr.state.oh.us/forestry, for a list of consultants. More information also is available through the Ohio Woodland Stewards Program, www.woodlandstewards.osu.edu.

A state forester or other natural resources professional will first assess your stand, determine what your objectives are for the forest and figure out how to keep your forest vigorous and healthy, Cappell said. The forester will recommend which trees to market and inform you of any laws dealing with the harvesting.

Cappell recommended that the trees be marked twice – usually chest high and at the ground – so there is no confusion about which trees are to be cut down. It’s best to get a written contract that spells out what trees are for sale and how long the logger has to cut them down.

"Ninety-five percent of the calls we get are from people who are unhappy because the trees were not marked or there was no contract," Cappell said.

He also encouraged landowners to obtain several competitive bids and research the logger that you plan to hire. Both ODNR and the Ohio chapter of the Association of Consulting Foresters have lists of loggers. Cappell said it can take up to a year to harvest your trees, depending on the weather and the logger’s other commitments. The best time to harvest is when the ground is frozen or when it’s dry to minimize soil erosion and help prevent damage to equipment, he said.

Properly marketing your timber will result in a higher financial return, Cappell said.

"It never pays to be in a hurry," he said.