County Extension agents can help prepare the bid advertisement, and county foresters as well as Extension agents can often provide a list of potential buyers. Consulting foresters should be brought in if the sale is complex. Daniels said on tracts of 40 acres or more, the landowner should use a consulting forester to cruise the timber, make the evaluation and possibly handle the sale. With information from the evaluation, the seller can then prepare an invitation to bid and advertise this to numerous potential buyers. Typically about six weeks are given for potential buyers to inspect the timber and make a bid on these sales.
Landowners have a week to accept a bid after it is opened.
Sellers should reserve the right to reject any and all bids. The buyer's bid is a loose contract, but the deal is not done until a timber deed is signed. Reed recommended following the sealed bid process regardless of the amount of timber for sale. This ensures the seller gets the best price for the commodity they have. Before a sale is made, have a replanting plan in place.