Protecting yourself from timber theft
The costs of timber theft
The theft of standing timber can have major financial consequences for landowners. It degrades wildlife habitat and harms the long-term value of a property. It can also leave lasting scars on the landscape, causing undue erosion and reducing both the beauty and economic value of forested land.
Where we see it most often
This is a serious and growing problem across Ohio, especially in the eastern. southeastern, and southern parts of the state, yet it often goes unreported because it isn’t usually detected for months or years after it’s happened.
How thefts happens
Timber theft can happen in several ways. Absentee landowners are frequent targets because criminals see their absence as an opportunity to cut and sell timber without permission.
In other cases, a legitimate harvest begins, but the loggers take far more than the landowner and company originally agreed upon.
Some thefts are even more elaborate, involving individuals who impersonate absentee landowners or lessees and profit from timber sales on land they do not own.
Steps to take to prevent timber theft
Fortunately, there are steps landowners can take to help prevent this problem. A key part of managing any woodland – and protecting it from theft – is clearly marking property boundaries and keeping those markings up to date. It is equally important to know what types of trees grow on your property and to keep an inventory of your timber resources. A consulting forester can help create this inventory and provide professional advice on managing your woodland.
Landowners who live on their property should periodically walk their boundaries and keep a watchful eye on any timber activity. For absentee landowners, it is a good idea to have a forester or trusted neighbor check the property regularly. Letting nearby landowners know when there are no timber harvests planned helps prevent unauthorized cutting because neighbors can report suspicious activity.
When selling timber, always have a detailed written contract between you and the logging company. Trees to be harvested should be clearly marked – often with help from a consulting forester – and the contract should include an inventory of tree species and numbers to be cut. It’s also wise to notify neighboring woodland owners before the harvest so everyone is clear about property lines and activity.
What do to if you've had timber stolen
If you become a victim of timber theft, take immediate action. Contact local law enforcement and insist on a formal investigation. If authorities cannot respond right away, thoroughly document the situation with photographs and notes. Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code 901.51) makes the destruction of crops and timber illegal. A conviction under this law can result in a fourth-degree misdemeanor charge, and the offender can be required to pay triple damages to the landowner.
Regularly updating your property boundaries, maintaining an accurate inventory of your timber, and keeping neighbors informed can go a long way toward protecting your woodlands.
For more information about preventing timber theft and managing woodland responsibly, refer to the OSU Extension Timber Theft Factsheet.
- Minimum: 10 wooded acres or 50 mature trees.