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Timber Sale and Harvesting Contracts

Richard Brinker and, Charles Raper (February, 1998)

Summary

A timber sale can be a source of great satisfaction to a landowner, or it may be a source of surprise, frustration, and stress. Unfortunately, the latter is often true for landowners who make timber sales infrequently. A timber sale is, ideally, a smoothly executed business transaction that meets the expectations of both the landowner and the timber buyer, without surprises to either party. This publication explains that the typical timber buyer has considerable experience and is probably very knowledgeable on all aspects of the proposed transaction but that the landownermay be entering into an unfamiliar transaction or may not possess the most current information on timber sales. A prudent landowner will view a timber sale as a serious matter that requires careful preparation. The results of many years of past timber growth are at stake, and the condition of the forest after the sale profoundly affects its productivity for many years to come.