Where to Begin?
That's often the hardest question. We recommend starting by asking yourself a few "Big Questions" about your vision for your property. We encourage discussing these topics with any co-owners or stakeholders — such as family members, significant others, or business partners.
You don’t need to have all the answers before contacting us, but having a general sense of your objectives and goals for your forest is a great first step.
Big Questions
What are you goals?
Whether you have one goal or many, it helps to make a list — starting with what's most important to you. Every forest is different, and how it's managed depends on your personal vision for your property. Understanding your goals, helps us design a plan that's truly unique to you.
Some common goals include:
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Timber Management
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Wildlife Management
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Forest Health
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Recreation
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Aesthetics
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Monetary Return
Starting Small or Thinking Big?
Whether you’re planning a small harvest or a large-scale management project, we’ll make sure every step is handled efficiently, sustainably, and with your goals in mind.
What Forest Type Do You Have?
Every forest is unique — and each comes with its own opportunities and limitations. Here in western-cetral PA, most are mixed hardwoods - oak, maple, cherry, and hickory, with some pine and hemock mixed in. Each forest type grows and regenerates differently, shaping how it should be managed.
Whether your property is an early successional stand ready for its first thinning or a mature hardwood forest approaching a selective harvest, we’ll help you understand its condition, potential, and the best path forward to meet your goals.
What is Your Timeframe?
Every forest goal takes time. A simple timber sale might take only a few months, while broader management goals can span years. Most forest management plans cover a 10–20 year period to guide long-term success.
Some prescriptions, like invasive species control, take ongoing attention. Staying consistent ensures your efforts pay off and your forest continues to thrive.
The Next Step
The next step is the easiest: contact us. We'll be glad to help. We will ask you a few questions similar to the ones above, as well as the location of your property, and when you would like to have a consultation meeting at no cost to you (not all landowners walk/meet with us when we do a consultation). It is important to put our eyes on your woods, as we cannot make accurate recommendations over the phone or with pictures.