Eighty-four percent of New Hampshire is forested and more than three quarters of this forest land is owned privately. In the northeast, forest ownership is largely a private phenomenon. The Tree Farm program recognizes landowners who manage the forest as a whole using a multiple use approach. All of us benefit. Private owners not only pay taxes on their land, they also contribute to the high quality of the environment.
Forests provide clean air, water, wildlife habitat, recreation and forest products.
This philosophy is reflected in the words on the sign - wood, water, wildlife, and recreation. It's an entirely voluntary program, but one with high standards. Foresters volunteer their time, inspecting properties every five years to assure that standards are kept. Landowners voluntarily adhere to them or relinquish their signs. Though the program requirements read as if it is easy to become a Tree Farmer it isn't automatic.