Scott Ratcliff

Many landowners ask the question, “Should I cut my timber before I put my land on the market?” The short answer is no. In today’s timber and land market, especially if you’re selling a fairly small tract of land, about less than fifty acres, I don’t believe you should cut your timber. Almost without exception, the revenue you would receive from harvesting the timber is less than the hit you will take on the market value of your land. This is because when a tree is harvested, there is a stump left, as well as some other debris – large limbs and the top of the tree. A prospective buyer might want to remove the debris and the stump, which all costs money. The number of available buyers for your property will also be reduced to those who are okay with the timber being harvested. Most buyers would like to have the option to determine what happens to the timber after they buy the property rather than having to live with what the previous landowner has done. Unfortunately, during some timber harvests, excessive rain may occur, causing rutting to the land and the roads, and some loggers are not as good as others about preventing damage to trees that are left. All of these factors reduce the market value of land. Now, are there exceptions to this? Of course, a couple. Pine plantations are tracts that have been planted in rows with pine trees. If these stands become too dense, a conservative row thinning by a conscientious logging crew can improve the aesthetic appearance of the land, thereby actually increasing the marketability of the land. Another exception is if timber markets increase in relation to land values, but we’re not there right now. There are various resources available to help you learn more about your land, and we will always encourage landowners to contact a trustworthy forestry company. If you are looking for recommendations, let us know! -Scott Ratcliff, Land Agent and Educated Forester

A question I get sometimes is, “How much is this timber worth?” That’s a great question. Timber is a significant agricultural commodity in East Texas and is worthwhile to consider when purchasing or selling land. The value of a particular stand of timber is dependent on a host of variables, more than can be adequately covered here. Some of the most important variables include tree species composition, tree diameter and height, tree form and quality, stand density, and timber volumes. These are the basic questions relating to forestry. There are also important economic factors that affect the cost of logging, including distance to wood processing facilities, tract size, condition of roads (both on the property and local public roads), and soil types ranging from sandy dry land to boggy bottomland. However, when someone is considering a property to buy or possibly to sell, an approximate assessment of the timber value will usually do. There are many independent consulting foresters in East Texas with the expertise to provide this information. Typically, the forester will need to inventory or “cruise” the timber. Depending on the size of the tract, this can usually be accomplished in a few days or less at a reasonable price. Once a landowner has decided to move forward with a timber sale, I highly recommend they hire a consulting forestry company that is currently very active in the business of representing landowners in timber sales. I put emphasis on “very active” because they need to be doing enough business to stay very up-to-date on current pricing for timber and quality logging contractors and timber buyers. If you are interested in learning more about the timber on your property or potential property, we are always happy to help recommend some reputable forestry companies! -Scott Ratcliff, Land Agent and Educated Forester