Following recent reports of timber theft in Lamar County, Texas A&M Forest Service and the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office urge landowners to be vigilant and report any suspicious timber harvesting.
Individuals in Lamar County have allegedly approached multiple landowners, verbally requesting permission to harvest trees on their property. After receiving permission, these individuals allegedly harvested more timber than agreed upon or crossed property lines to harvest from adjoining neighbors.
These reports are based on consistent accounts from multiple landowners in the southern region of Lamar County. Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigators have initiated an investigation and will be reviewing all documents generated during the timber harvest including scale tickets, loader sheets and financial statements.
“Our priorities in this case are to investigate the reports of timber theft in order to provide restitution while also protecting landowners from future cases,” said Jonathon Keller, Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigator. “We are asking any Lamar County landowner who has recently received a phone call or in-person visit regarding timber harvesting to check their property for any trees that were harvested without consent.”
Landowners can be taken advantage of in several ways during a timber sale. To prevent timber theft, landowners should always consult a forester to ensure a contract is signed before any harvesting, the timber is sold for a fair price and the harvesters are held to the terms of the contract. Additionally, landowners should:
- Visit their property frequently.
- Have someone they know and trust report any cutting on their land immediately.
- Never sign a contract without checking several references of the buyer.
- Insist on getting bids for their timber.
- Mark all property lines to ensure cutting on adjacent property does not encroach on theirs.
- Use trail/deer cameras on their property that can record suspicious activity or individuals.
- Always hold their timber contractor to the agreed upon term.
Landowners who are unfamiliar with selling their timber are urged to contact their local Texas A&M Forest Service office. Texas A&M Forest Service staff assist landowners with the process of securing the services of a professional resources manager to help select trees for harvest, estimate values and find potential buyers.
To report suspected timber theft or suspicious activity, call the Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Timber Theft Hotline at 1-800-364-3470. The Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Department works with local officials to help bring those responsible for timber theft and other violations of the natural resources code to justice.
To contact a Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigator in your area, please visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/directory/?programArea=Law+Enforcement.
In 2025, Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers have recovered over $131,000 for landowners who were victims of timber theft.
Timber Theft Hotline: 1-800-364-3470
Article source and photo credit: Texas A&M Forest Service
