Harvesting timber

Silvicultural systems are described by how managers harvest and regenerate trees, from individually cutting some trees (single-tree selection) to cutting all the trees at once (clear-cutting).

Over the life of a stand, woodland owners and managers take steps to establish, grow, enhance and harvest their forests. The specific treatments or methods they use will depend on which silvicultural system they select.

Woodland owners and managers should work with professionals to select the best silvicultural system for their forest.

Intermediate treatments and woodland stand improvement are done after trees have been established or regenerated, but before final harvest. They are designed to improve the stand’s ability to grow, while enhancing its vigor, value and quality. Intermediate treatments include:

• Thinnings and woodland stand improvements.
• Pruning.
• Removing undesirable species, such as through girdling.
• Applying herbicides.

When selling your timber, you will want to get the best offer while meeting woodland goals. Foresters can help along the way, from planning and marketing to harvests and making the sale.

Sampling and measuring timber

There are two ways to estimate how much timber you have. You can individually evaluate each tree, or set up sample plots and use them to estimate overall volume.

By measuring timber, you can better understand your woodland’s status and get critical information that can shape management plans and the treatments you use.

Contract for Minnesota timber harvests

Contracts protect woodland owners and buyers during timber sales and harvest operations.

View a sample Minnesota timber harvest contract (PDF). This sample document is for educational use only. Use it as a starting point for your own contract, but we encourage you to contact an attorney for help designing a timber sale contract that meets your specific needs.