Green Tag Forestry SM also relies on third party certification, but is designed specifically for private forest landowners. To display the Green Tag sign, forest owners must have implemented a detailed forest management plan prepared by a registered consulting forester who has training in certification procedures. The plan can build on a Tree Farm or Forest Stewardship plan but will have more detail, especially in timber harvesting procedures and recognition of natural diversity components. While not called a certification program, SFI appears to be heading in that direction. There is nothing in the SFI principles to encourage landowners to use a professional forester when managing their resources.
Many eastern forests are in poor conditions from past cutting practices.
The push by FSC to prohibit stands regenerated by planting and other intensive practices can limit seriously the options for the small landowners that make up the majority of Mid-Atlantic forestlands. Currently, FSC is seeking to develop regional standards based on its eleven principles and criteria for forest management. The 25-pages of draft standards fail to provide any connection with existing landowner assistance programs. For any certification program to be adopted, there must be an economic incentive to change. Unless the free market provides a premium for certified wood, most landowners will find little incentive to obtain certification.