Keys to successful timber sales

No Sale An unsuccessful sale where potential buyer and seller can not agree on terms for negotiation or where bids offered do not meet the minimum price established by the seller.
Consider Market Conditions When Timing the Sale
HOW SHOULD YOUR TIMBER SALE CONTRACT BE DEVELOPED?
A Written Contract Provides Documentation of Agreements Between Buyer and Seller
A Written Contract Ensures Harvest Will Be Conducted According to Plan and Protects the Interests of All Parties
A Written Contract Should Include:
Agreed Upon Price
Method of Payment
Timing of Payment
Best Management Practice (BMP) Compliance
Duration of Contract
Damage Penalties
Harvest Restrictions

Responsibilities of Buyer and Seller
Wildlife, Aesthetics, and Other Environmental Concerns
Other Specific Concerns

ARE THERE TAX CONCERNS?SEEK PROFESSIONAL
FORESTRY TAX ASSISTANCE

Georgia Ad Valorem Taxation Process

Capital Gains Advantages and Benefits

Estate Planning

Reforestation Tax Credits and Incentives (Public Law 96-451)

Importance of Accurate and Detailed Record Keeping

If any of these "Keys" stimulated additional questions, you can contact your local Georgia Forestry Commission forester at the following locations:

Rome Gainesville Athens Newnan Milledgeville Washington Americus Tifton Camilla Statesboro McRae Waycross

706-295-6021 770-531-6043 706-542-6880 770-254-7218 478-445-5164 706-678-2015 229-931-2436 229-386-3617 229-522-3580 912-681-0490 229-868-5649 912-287-4915

An Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider

Are you confused about selling your timber? This brochure will provide you with questions that need to be answered throughout the timber selling process and where to get those answers. Always use a business-like approach to ensure maximum financial and environmental benefits.
WHY SELL YOUR TIMBER NOW?
Provide Periodic Income
Encourage Future Forest Productivity and Growth
Reduce Insect and Disease Losses
HAVE YOU DEFINED YOUR OBJECTIVES?
Planning Ahead for the Future
Timber Production and Stand Improvement
Wildlife (Game and Nongame) Resources and Habitat Improvement
Reforestation and Stand Establishment
Soil and Water Conservation
Recreation and Aesthetic Concerns

Identify and Evaluate the Timber Resources
Species (pine or hardwood?)
Product (pulpwood, chipn-saw, sawtimber, veneer, etc.?)
Quantity, Quality, and Future Productivity
Accessibility (location, barriers to harvest, slope, etc.?)
Identify Your Harvesting Options
Thinning (row, selection, or combination)
Total Harvest
Regeneration Harvest
WHAT PROFESSIONAL ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
IS AVAILABLE?
Consulting Foresters Offer a full range of timber sales services
Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) Foresters Offer initial on-site inspections, guidance, and direction
Industry Foresters Offer Landowner Assistance Programs and harvesting advice

HOW SHOULD YOU ORGANIZE YOUR TIMBER SALE?
Utilize a Business-like Manner with Appropriate Documentation
Advertise the Sale
Contact As Many Prospective Buyers As Possible (GFC listings are available)
Solicit Competitive Bids
Provide Maps Designating the Sale Area
Types of Sale to Consider
Lump Sum A sale where a specified volume of standing trees (stumpage) is sold for a cash price before harvesting begins. With a lump sum sale, a cash settlement is provided that will be paid regardless of the volume of timber actually removed from the tract.
Unit Sale A sale where an unspecified volume of standing trees is sold by a specific measurement (Georgia law dictates unit sales are to be quoted in "Dollars per Thousand Pounds" O.C.G.A. 2-14-80.1)