Selling 30 acres of timber in Woodsfield, Ohio

Uncovering options for the timber

Based on what we could see from the initial review, we presented two possible paths forward.

Option 1 was to mark enough timber to generate the funds needed to cover the immediate expense, along with any income taxes resulting from the sale.

Option 2 was to conduct a full timber evaluation, identify all mature trees, and design a selective harvest plan that would protect wildlife habitat and potentially improve it.

Because the property adjoins the Wayne National Forest, we also explained that there were opportunities to enhance deer movement and use of the property. These included creating food plots or bedding areas near the boundary to draw deer from the forest onto their land, as well as natural screening to improve hunting opportunities.

Our client owns more than 70 acres in this parcel. Part of the property had been cleared years earlier to make room for a drilling platform. While no one lives on the land, the client’s family hunts deer there every year. They did not want to sell the property, and they did not want a heavy timber harvest that would damage wildlife habitat.

After discussing the options as a family, she contacted us the following day and asked us to send our forester out to walk the property and evaluate the situation thoroughly.

Planning a timber harvest to accomplish the family’s objectives

We walked the timber the next day and met with the family on site. This allowed us to fully understand their financial needs, their long-term goals for the property, and their priorities for wildlife habitat.

Following those discussions, the client retained us to create a selective harvest plan and market the timber to competitive bidders.

The plan we developed maximized the value of the timber selected for harvest while also improving wildlife habitat, just as we had outlined during our initial conversations.

Importantly, not all mature timber was harvested. We deliberately left a substantial number of near-mature hardwoods standing. With the canopy opened above them, these trees can grow more rapidly and reach maturity in the coming years, creating the opportunity for another harvest if the family chooses to do one again.

Selecting and tallying the timber to sell

Once the forester completed an accurate timber inventory, we prepared a formal Notice of Standing Timber Sale and sent it to qualified loggers with a proven track record of ethical work.

As with every sale we manage, the Notice included the complete timber inventory, authorization and time for loggers to inspect the property, clear bidding instructions, and a firm deadline for bid submission.

Multiple loggers were invited to bid. We did not rely on a single local buyer.

This approach was critical. Although the client’s financial stress was temporary, maximizing revenue was essential. Inviting multiple buyers created a competitive bidding environment, which resulted in stronger offers than would have been possible with a single sawmill bid.

The table below shows all timber selected for harvest. Volumes were calculated using the Doyle Scale.

Getting paid for the timber quickly and in full

As part of the bidding process, loggers were required to state how soon they could pay in full, in advance, and begin the harvest if awarded the contract.

In this case, the client did not accept the highest bid. Instead, she chose the second-highest offer, which allowed her to receive $61,400 in full payment upfront. That bid was only $1,500 less than the top offer, but it provided faster payment, which was critical given her circumstances.

She accepted that bid, received full payment on October 31, 2024, and was able to cover the expense directly from the proceeds. She also used part of the funds to invest in wildlife habitat improvements that her family will enjoy for years to come.

Because the harvest was planned carefully and left sufficient maturing timber in place, the family can reasonably expect another profitable timber sale in approximately 10 to 12 years, should they choose to pursue one.

Although the situation began under difficult circumstances, the outcome was overwhelmingly positive. We are pleased to have helped our client navigate a challenging moment and protect both the financial and long-term value of her land.

Follow this link to see the results we got in a larger timber sale in Washington County.