SERVING KENTUCKY, INDIANA, TENNESSEE, ILLINOIS

The first consultation is free of charge. We will walk your timberland together and discuss your goals and objectives. From there, we develop a clear plan tailored to your property.

Once the plan is established, your timber is professionally marked according to those objectives. Each marked tree is carefully tallied, and a detailed volume report is prepared, including:

• Volume per tree 
• Volume by species 
• Volume per acre 
• Total merchantable board feet
   

This information is sent to qualified buyers in the area. A bid opening date is scheduled, and competitive bids are collected for your timber. You review all bids, and if you accept the top offer, a detailed timber sale contract is prepared. 

Full payment is required before any harvesting begins.

Many timberland owners sell on a 50% “share,” meaning they are paid as logs are cut and sold. While common, this method often limits your earning potential.

Logs are a raw material used to produce:

• Lumber  
• Veneer  
• Railroad ties  
• Engineered wood products  
• Paper 

When timber is properly marked and marketed through competitive bidding, mills can often pay more than share loggers because they profit from the finished products—not just the raw logs.

Benefits of competitive bidding:

• Higher potential returns  
• All species included in the sale  
• Not limited to what a share logger prefers to cut  
• Clear contract terms and full payment upfront

Timber value is determined through a systematic timber cruise. This process provides an accurate estimate of volume and value, giving landowners a documented timber basis.

A timber basis establishes the value of your timber at the time of property purchase. This can significantly reduce taxes on timber harvesting.

Tax Advantages:

• Lump-sum sales are taxed as capital gains (typically at a lower tax rate). 
• Share sales are taxed as earned income (typically higher tax rate). 
• A professional Timber Basis report can help offset capital gains.
   

Example:

• Timber basis at purchase: $100,000 
• Timber sold later for: $60,000 
• No capital gains tax is owed because no gain occurred. 
• $40,000 in basis remains for future timber sales.
   

Once the timber basis is fully used, no further offset applies unless the property is sold or inherited.

Improving wildlife habitat doesn’t always require hiring a biologist. A consulting forester can design and mark a timber harvest that enhances habitat while also generating income.

A properly planned harvest:

• Increases sunlight to the forest floor 
• Stimulates new vegetation growth 
• Improves browse for whitetail deer and turkeys 
• Creates better overall habitat diversity
   

With the right management plan, you can improve wildlife habitat and put money in your pocket at the same time.

• Timber removed without permission can result in significant financial loss. 
• Accurate valuation is often required to help attorneys resolve legal cases. 
• I provide professional assistance in determining timber value.
   

• A clear management plan helps you meet long-term goals and objectives. 
• Timber cruising and stand mapping are key to proper forest management. 
• Detailed assessments support healthier forests and better decision-making.
   

• Tree identification and forestry education. 
• Identifying valuable species that your property may produce (such as ginseng or yellow root).
• Pinpointing deer stand locations using aerial and topographic maps. 
• Mapping ATV roads and access routes for land use planning.