You may be one of many family woodland owners who work with professional loggers from time to time to cut and remove timber from your woods. You may think of this as a timber sale or timber harvest, or just getting the lot thinned. Whatever the terminology, the Maine Forest Service (MFS) strongly recommends that you work with a licensed forester to oversee the operation and make sure your goals are met. One very important role for your forester is to draw up a Timber Sale Agreement or Harvest Contract with your chosen logger. If your logger has a standard contract form, your forester can review it and suggest additions or changes to fit the particular situation. Contracts are also important for demonstrating the legality of the operation and that applicable laws and best management practices are followed as well.

A major purpose of a timber sales contract is to reduce the possibility of misunderstandings and make sure all parties are protected. A good timber sales contract saves time and money by preventing problems that can lead to costly repairs or even litigation. A well-written harvest contract does not have to cover every possible eventuality, but it should address most or all known concerns BEFORE the operation begins. Contracts can be amended or renegotiated with the consent of both parties. Your consulting forester can help you write the best possible contract for the harvest you want to undertake.

Tune in next week for more on what to include in an effective harvest contract.

To learn more check out the Be Woods Wise section of the MFS website, specifically the “Working With a Logger” page.

To see how a timber sale agreement helps you with worker’s compensation issues, take a look at MFS Information Sheet #6, “Wood Harvests: Workers’ Compensation and Landowner Liability.”

View how timber sale contracts are required by law in New Hampshire.

As always, you can call the Maine Forest Service for more information or assistance at 1 800 367-0223 (in state) or (207) 287-2791, or e-mail forestinfo@maine.gov.