I'm thinking buy an excavator so I can use it for other reasons but also so I can push trees over.

Then drag them to a processing areas where they can be cut up and the stumps and junk be piled up and burned.


I'm thinking hire a couple guys by the day to run saws and sub out to a contractor the trucking part.

This will be for hardwood and pine.


I'd like a forester to also walk though and help me mark the hardwoods. I don't want to clear cut it and he may be able to advise me on that too.



This is on 60 acres, hasn't been logged in about 25 years.

 

Send Chaikwa a PM. He is very knowledgeable on the timber conservation. Has one heck of a saw garage too

 

Be careful of your equipment.......my Uncle bought a new portable saw, gave the guys a decent wages, provided them with nice facilities to live, CTD to use at their need......they just had no respect for the saw (the blade band or the base), the truck or anything........they just tore it up. It was in remote locations at times and near a nice city at times......they were more interested in getting drunk on his dime. Started out gang busters, as time went by.......it went down hill.

 

One other reason to consider hiring someone to do the work for you is INSURANCE, if one of these guys you hire by the day gets injured....well you could end up losing EVERYTHING.

 

400 bucks in north texas lets you setup a company just for that purpose, environmental dept will inspect for free with a schedule,you agree to (double edge sword) the conditions and time harvest. Fed money out there for erosion control, timber harvest selection, thinning, you name it.

seperation from all else owned under your credit name. seperateion! seperation! limited liability company is one designation for protection, pc is another that only limits your liability to the amount you spent into it...and tax deductible (big smile)...contact a forester, then the attorney, then the local farm service fed office.....good luck!


60 acres goes quick. choose wisely or investment may not be worthwhile is my humble opinion....

 

I will definately set up an LLC and get a small general liability policy and some business keepers insurance (incase of theft).


Thanks for the advice, especially about the fed money for erosion control and timber harvest selection.


I'm looking at excavators right now too.

 

Where is Chaikwa when you need him?

 

Well, for what it's worth, the fed money really isn't fed money. It IS... it comes from the feds and is given to the local USDA offices for distribution. You still have to go thru the grant process and state your case and why it's a worthy cause. This is where a forester will come in handy. They know the catch-phrases and key words that will get you the money. It won't hurt to get chummy with the guy in the USDA office either! Most of the money is for cost-share. In other words, they'll reimburse you for expenses for your worthy cause along with labor and consumables, (gas, diesel, saw chains, etc.). You don't usually make a killing but you do okay. The last time I participated I think I got $15/hr. When I planted trees they picked up 85% of the costs in addition to my labor, so you have to know how to play the numbers too. This all has to be corroborated with your forester as he is usually the one that signs off on the fact that the work has been done. In some cases the ASGS or USDA office will send someone out to also document the work. Then you get paid. Eventually. Someday.

There are usually state programs as well. Here in Michigan they will pay for a forester to draw up a management plan, which you will need when applying for grants and cost share programs. The forester will also help you determine a suitable long term goal for the property. This too will be needed for most programs to show you are operating in a sustainable and responsible manner. The forester will also know the best markets for your timber. If you have a timber sale, expect him to get around 12 to 15% of the total sale as his fee. The amount of money a good forester can bring in is amazing tho and well worth the effort. I would get a referral from the state forest service or natural resources department, whatever they call it where you're at. Sometimes there's a little, um, 'favoritism' amongst the brotherhood of foresters and staying within the 'network' is always helpful!

Right now there are several programs being offered by the feds that are available thru the USDA offices. Wetlands conservation and development is a big one, along with CRP, (Conservation Reserve Program). They will pay you an annual fee per acre to do something with it, whether it be making wetlands or conserving an endangered species or whatever. These annual per acre payments are usually in line with what you would get if you had rented the property out for crops. Around here they're paying about $100 an acre. Again, your forester can determine what your property is best suited for and help you enroll in a program. I don't think you'll have enough time for this years' enrollment period to get a management plan in place and apply for the CRP, but it comes up every year, so get your ducks in a row this year and you'll be good to go next year.

Then there are state programs that most states make available to woodlot owners. There's one here that pays the going per acre rate, but you have to allow the public onto your property to hunt it. You don't need to advertise it, you just can't post 'no trespassing' signs or kick people out unless there are too many people to make for a safe situation. Hint, hint, hint! Get it? Can't be unsafe!

After all this my best advice; GET A FORESTER BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE! It will be the best investment you ever make for the money. Don't buy equipment, don't hire help and most of all, don't rush headlong into cutting trees and uprooting stumps. Take a breath, slow down and put things in place. You may be surprised at the amount of money that can be made when things are done correctly!

 

Ok I'll consult with a forester. I am a contractor so I plan to put some sweat equity into this property and will be involved with it. My company is set up to run on it's own pretty much now and I can concentrate on this.


Thing is about the equipment is I need to build a one mile road. The land is long and skinny. I need an excavator. Plus with the excavator you can just push the trees over as you go.

So basically I'm going to reclear a road that hasn't been used since the mid 70's and clean out or redig the ditches down it.