The following publications are also of value to those who want to implement partial harvests that improve forest health and meet landowner expectations. Some of these publications are downloadable from the internet addresses listed here.

University of Idaho

• Genetic improvement of woodland ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest (BUL 774) $2.00
• Evaluating wildlife habitat for managing private forest ecosystems in the Inland Northwest (BUL 60) $1.50
• Calculating timber removal costs under ecosystem management (BUL 62) $1.50
• Contracting for timber harvest under ecosystem management (BUL 63) $1.50
• Diameter limit cutting: a questionable practice (CIS 630) $.25
• Evaluating forest ecosystems for silvicultural prescriptions and ecosystem management planning (BUL 59) $1.50
• Selling woodland timber: contract decisions (EXT 759) $.50

Publications, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-2240, phone (208) 885-7982; fax (208) 885-4648; email: agpubs@uidaho.edu; http://info.ag.uidaho.edu/

Washington State University

• Timber harvesting alternatives (EB 1316) $1.50
• Is there a place for fish and wildlife in your woodland? (MISC 132) $1.00
• Managing ponderosa pine woodlands for fish and wildlife (MISC 158) $1.00
• Managing small woodlands for cavity nesting birds (MISC 160) $1.00
• Managing your timber sale (EB 1818) $1.50
• Forest stewardship planning workbook--an ecosystem approach to managing your forest (PNW 490) $2.00

Bulletin Office, Cooperative Extension, Cooper Publications Building, Pullman, WA 99164-5912, phone (509) 335-2857; http://caheinfo.wsu.edu/pub_home_page/pub.html

Oregon State University

• Using pre-commercial thinning to enhance woodland productivity (EC 1189) $2.00
• Road construction on woodland properties (EC 1135) $2.00 Designated skid trails minimize soil compaction (EC 1110) $1.50
• Impacts of forest practices on surface erosion (PNW 195) $.50 Slope stability on forest land (PNW 209) $.75
• Thinning: an important timber management tool (PNW 184) $.50

Extension & Experiment Station Communications, Administrative Services A422, Corvallis OR 97331-2119, phone (541) 737-2513; http://eesc.orst.edu/agcomwebfile/edmat/

 

This publication is intended to give you some insights on how to judge individual tree characteristics, with the ultimate purpose of having a healthier forest after a harvest or thinning. There are many resources to help you implement harvests and thinnings that meet your expectations and improve the health of your forest.

The Cooperative Extension System offers a wide variety of publications, workshops, videos, and other educational programs designed to strengthen skills in forest and natural resource management. Check your local listings under University or County.

If you are harvesting commercial timber on your property, you would be wise to seek assistance from a consulting forester. Consulting foresters are private foresters who offer their service for a fee. They can give you detailed assistance, and their services are often more than paid for in the increased prices they get for your timber and the improved condition of your forest.

Look for consulting foresters in the yellow pages, or check with your local Extension office or state forestry office. Make sure they have a bachelor's degree in forestry from an accredited forestry college or university and that they are free of conflicts of interest. You should also check references, and whether they are members in good standing of professional associations, such as the Association of Consulting Foresters and the Society of American Foresters.

Many forest practices are regulated to comply with best management practices outlined in the state forest practice laws. State foresters inspect harvests and other forest activities for compliance with state laws. These foresters also provide limited on-site technical assistance to forest landowners and logging operators.