The location and size of your forestland may influence the cost and practicality of some practices. For example, the use of large equipment may be too costly for small, inaccessible tracts of land. Management Plan A management plan is a comprehensive, planned program of cultural treatments during the life of a timberstand. It provides for managing the existing stand as well as preparing for the next crop. Following a management plan can reduce the cost of good forestry because you can choose practices that fit your ownership objectives, timberland conditions, and pocketbook without reducing timber production.
Many landowners harvest their timber without prior planning as it matures.
The result may be a costly clean-up before a new crop can be established. If you do nothing, you may end up with a low quality and low value forest. There is no rigid set of forestry practices for every landowner to follow. A consulting forester can help you develop a management program that is customized for your timberlands. The management program you choose should be described in a written management plan.