What to do when timber is stolen from your land in Ohio
Timber theft is an unfortunately common problem in rural Ohio. When it happens, time is critical. Acting fast not only helps you recover losses but can also strengthen a legal case. Here’s what landowners in Ohio should do:
1. Document the timber theft immediately
- Photograph all evidence — stumps, log decks, skidder ruts, vehicle tracks, and any damaged fences or gates.
- Note tree species, diameters, and the number of trees taken if you can.
- Mark the locations using GPS or a property map.
- Keep your photos and notes organized. They may be used later as evidence in a criminal or civil case.
2. Contact the county sheriff right away
- In Ohio, timber theft is treated as theft of property under state law. Depending on the value, it can rise to a felony.
- Call your county sheriff’s office as soon as you discover the theft. Ask to file a formal police report.
- Request the incident report number for your records.
- If you have any information about loggers or truck activity, share it with the deputy.
3. Contact the Ohio Division of Forestry
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry can assist law enforcement. Their service foresters can:
- Estimate volume and value of stolen timber.
- Help verify trespass lines.
- Provide expert testimony if needed.
4. Notify nearby sawmills and timber buyers
Most stolen logs are quickly moved and sold to local sawmills.
- Contact mills within a 50-mile radius and alert them that stolen logs may be moving through.
- Provide species, sizes, and any identifying features (e.g., paint marks, stump signatures, or logging equipment descriptions). Ohio mills typically keep load tickets that may be traced back to the thieves.
5. Consult a forester for a value estimate
A consulting forester can prepare a professional report of the timber loss.
- This is essential if you want to seek restitution or triple damages through civil court.
- In Ohio, the market value of the stolen timber is the baseline for calculating damages — and courts may award up to three times that value for willful trespass.
6. Consider legal action
Timber theft in Ohio can result in both criminal charges (through the sheriff and prosecutor) and civil lawsuits (through your attorney).
- Ohio law allows recovery of:
- Market value of the timber
- Triple damages for willful trespass (per Ohio Revised Code § 901.51)
- Legal fees in some cases
- An experienced property or natural resource attorney can guide you through the process.
7. Strengthen your boundaries to prevent future theft
- Clearly mark property lines with paint, signs, or flagging tape.
- Maintain gates and posted signs at all access points.
- Use trail cameras to monitor logging roads or skidder trails.
- Keep surveys and maps on file and up to date.
8. Act quickly
The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to trace the logs or build a strong case. Fresh skidder tracks, paint on stumps, and mill tickets are often the key to identifying thieves.
- Minimum: 10 wooded acres or 50 mature trees.