Information transfer during the timber transaction period in West Virginia. USA

Abstract

Timber harvesting has long-lasting impacts on the productivity and aesthetics of private forests. In many instances, landowners who possess high quality timber are at a competitive disadvantage during timber transactions--the time between a decision by the landowner to sell timber and the completion of the timber harvesting operation--as they may lack understanding of markets, the value of their trees, or the amount of wood that is standing in their woodlots. In order to improve forestry outreach efforts to private forest owners, we surveyed 3166 landowners who experienced a timber transaction between 2000 and 2001 to assess the amount of silvicultural information conveyed during these transactions. We found that only 21% of the transactions were conducted on properties that contained a forest management plan. On 52% of the transactions, wood volume was estimated by either the timber purchaser (28%), the logger (12%), or not inventoried at all (12%). Satisfaction ratings for information provided to the landowner during the transaction indicated that little information was conveyed on topics like timber harvesting methods, regeneration, deer and wildlife, and undesirable vegetation. Satisfaction of respondents with the condition of their woodlands following the timber transaction was related to having a timber management objective, seeded skid roads, and satisfactory information on timber harvest methods and future timber values.