Paul Easley Sawyer with tips for the Tree Farmers harvest.

Nearly every time we present at a convention or seminar, we have Tree Farmers come up to complain
about how a harvest was conducted on their land. Our first question is were you there during the harvest
and the answer is nearly always no. You cannot be a steward of your land if you absent yourself from it
during times of major change. A harvest is a major change. You can loose your seed trees, have
neighbors angry because the loggers went over the property line, have creeks and waterways clogged or
ruined, have compacted soil where you didn't want a road and the list goes on!

1. ALWAYS be in attendance at a harvest on your land. This will help keep the logger within your
boundaries and cutting only the trees you want cut.

2. ALWAYS get a contract. A winning contract does not have to be the highest. In fact, if you need some
infrastructure, some logging operations are very happy to make bridges and roads in lieu of paying money.
Just have it all in a contract so you get what you have bargained for.

3. ALWAYS at least talk with your forester. You can cruise and mark it yourself if you wish but having
input from your forester is very important to make sure you are on the correct page for your Tree Farm.

4. ALWAYS check out the credentials of your logger and timber buyer. Speak to their other customers.

5. ALWAYS leave buffer areas around your harvest. If you are in your own timber but the harvest will be
near public roads, the public appreciates you leaving a buffer zone so they don't see much of the harvest.
When you re-plant the area be sure to put up signs along the public roads stating this acreage has been
re-planted with X-number of trees and the date. Let the public know you are aware of their concerns and
address them.

6. ALWAYS make sure your land is ready for the harvest. Have the waterway crossings ready. Make sure
the logging roads are ready. Make sure the landing zone is large enough and has good access out of the
timber via a road that can handle the weight of a loaded truck.

7. ALWAYS remember, you are in charge! You make the choices and decisions! Make the right ones for
your Tree Farm.