Salvaging logs following weather-related disasters pose many challenges for landowners, foresters, timber buyers, loggers, and mills.
For example, salvaging fallen trees (downed logs) requires different skills and equipment than does harvesting standing timber. Landowners are often challenged with having an adequate logging workforce to salvage as much of the timber as possible before rot sets in. Loggers also have challenges finding sufficient wet storage facilities to store the material while it waits to be processed at the mill.
I have experienced a storm/hurricane/strong wind event. What do I do next?
Every landowner who must make timber salvage and management decisions should answer these questions before acting:
- Do I have a manageable timber stand left undamaged?
- Will I be able to make a timber sale in the future when prices are better?
- Can I salvage the damaged timber?
A qualified forester can help you obtain the information needed to answer these questions. From a timber inventory, foresters will determine
- The number of, condition, volume and/or weight of undamaged (minimally damaged) timber, and
- The amount of damage (volume or weight of damaged timber).
A forester will help you make management decisions about your timber, and whether to attempt to salvage harvest the fallen and damaged timber. A forester can also help estimate the value of lost timber for tax purposes.
My Land Management Connector is one resource available to find and connect with service providers and arrange the necessary management treatments needed for your property. You can also contact one of our foresters directly.
Salvaging tips
Poor market conditions, a scarcity of professional loggers, and a lack of property access may limit salvage operations even when they are recommended. When damage occurs in patches, make the damaged patches a new stand (management unit) separate from undamaged patches and tend to it separately.
After a severe weather event, timber salvaging is just one of many things that you may be worried about. With the salvage process:
- Get started promptly. Timber deteriorates faster during hot summer months than in winter. On average, severely damaged pine sawtimber should be harvested within two to three months. Pine pulpwood can be harvested within six months for most paper uses. Slightly damaged pines and severely damaged hardwoods may have some value six months to a year following damage. Slightly damaged hardwoods may last for several years. Some wind-damaged trees may not qualify as sawtimber because of the internal damage they suffered.
- Have a timber sale contract before harvest. A timber harvesting contract protects both parties in a timber sale. Contracts identify the buyer and seller, the locations and description of the timber being harvested, purchase price, method of payment, and logging expectations and conditions. A well-thought-out contract can protect the landowner and the buyer from neglect and unnecessary damage to the property and residual trees.
- Focus on high-value forest products. Focus particularly on sawtimber, chip-n-saw, and other higher valued logs. These are most valuable to the forest landowner and should receive the most attention. Do not waste recovery efforts on pulpwood logs.
- Follow best management practices during harvest. Even during this time all Best Management Practices should be followed.
- Check credentials. If a timber buyer approaches you, ask for references and credentials such as certification through the Texas Pro Logger Program. Loggers with a Texas Pro Logger certification, appropriate equipment, and trained crews will be in high demand. Be sure that loggers operating on your property have both limited liability and workers compensation insurance.
- Make a sale attractive. Do whatever is necessary to make a timber sale more attractive to potential buyers, if possible. This includes locating property lines or corners, and having a good road system.
- Work with your neighbors. Consider collaborating with an adjoining landowner on a timber sale, particularly if both of you have small tracts of timber. If you have 20 acres and they have15 acres, your combined 35 acres is more attractive to the logger as a single sale. Make sure you and your neighbor agree on how to split the proceeds and request a copy of all gate receipts. One resource that can help you connect with your neighbors is My Land Management Connector. Create an account and connect with both service providers and neighboring landowners that require the same services as you.
- Expect lower prices. Expect lower prices for salvaged timber than for comparable sales before the storm. This is a function of the higher logging costs, higher fuel prices, larger volume of available timber, and greater degree of uncertainty at the mill about log quality.
Article source and photo credit: Texas A&M Forest Service
