Wednesday, October 1, 2003

Sell timber wisely

As fall approaches, some landowners will begin thinking about selling timber. They may have already begun receiving offers and inquiries about selling their trees. At this point the landowner needs to seek the advice of a professional forester. Timber is an investment that takes many years to grow and the landowner owes it to himself to get the best possible price. Many times a landowner doesn't realize what the real value of his timber is, which is why assistance from a professional is usually necessary.

The Georgia Forestry Commission can offer free advice on timber harvesting and sales, and guide the landowner through the steps of the timber sales process. A landowner can usually do well with a sale merely by soliciting bids, rather than taking the first offer. If he can get several bids, he can be reasonably sure the highest bid is a fair price. Investing the time to send out invitations to bid to several buyers can often pay off in thousands of dollars. A consulting forester will cruise the timber to be sold and can oversee the entire sale for a fee.

A landowner should recognize that a timber buyer is legitimately out to make a profit, and he can make a higher profit by buying timber cheaply. Many buyers will bid as much as they can while still making the necessary profit. It is the landowner's responsibility to seek out the buyer who will pay him the most for his timber. Buyers may pressure landowners by saying they need an answer right away, or they may no longer be interested. However, they will be buying timber next month and next year. If a buyer is actually offering a top price, his bid should be able to stand up against the bids of other buyers. A landowner should not allow himself to be pressured into a hasty decision, but should take the time to handle his sale in a business-like manner.

The Georgia Forestry Commission can supply landowners with lists of timber buyers, as well as other information on selling timber. For further assistance, call 770-227-5522 or 770-358-1459.

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