To prevent a potential conflict of interest, avoid those who are buyer's for a single forest products company. Once a professionally qualified consultant has been selected, a contract or written agreement should be signed. It should include a list of services to be performed, who will perform them, and the agreed cost of services. The consultant should welcome any questions and clarifications that the landowner may seek. Good communication between the landowner and consultant is essential.
Services offered by consulting foresters vary considerably.
The following is a list of services the landowner should expect from a fully qualified professional. The landowner should be sure that the contract or written agreement clearly itemizes the services he expects. When a stand of timber is to be harvested by the clearcut method, the consultant marks the boundaries of the area. When using the selection method, the consultant marks the boundaries and the trees to be harvested, painting the stump as well as the trunk to make sure unmarked trees are not cut. Sometimes the trees to be left are marked instead of the trees to be cut.