So, you’ve decided to diversify your investment portfolio by owning a timberland property. Or maybe you already own one. What’s next? At its core, timber management means making sure it’s properly managed and protected so you can enjoy it and get a great return on your investment.

While it can be a rewarding experience for you and your pocket, you want to make sure it’s properly taken care of. Timber management companies specialize in just that – managing your timberland. These companies come up with customized management plans for your property depending on its location, topography, soil, and more. Each plan is different because no two properties are the same and every landowner has their own goals in mind.

Timber management companies will meet with you to determine your goals and objectives for your property and will create a long-term plan that meets those goals. The timber on your property can grow to be a very valuable asset, so why not encourage it to perform to its greatest potential? If you’re not already an expert in the field, having an expert create a specific timber management plan as part of your strategy only makes sense.

Management plans include a variety of practices for stand improvement such as site preparation, tree planting, fertilization, thinning, prescribed burning, harvesting, and more. Plans also help protect your timber from insect infestations and wildfires.

When regenerating a forest on your property, timber management companies take time in preparing the area for natural or artificial tree planting. They also take care of pesky weeds and fertilize the property at the time of establishment.

When it comes to a stand that’s already established, improving the timber on your property is the key to success. Timber management companies provide services that include spraying herbicides, thinning, pruning, and prescribed burning to help promote growth and ensure your timber’s viability.

All the above practices that improve and protect the timber on your property also contribute to its value when and if you decide to harvest it and sell it. You will find that you’ll get a higher price from the timber and the property as a whole if you’ve hired a timber management company that has implemented a comprehensive plan.

An important thing to keep in mind when considering whether to hire a timber management company is that it will only cost you a fraction of your total timber value. The benefits of having a properly managed timber property far outweigh the actual cost of hiring a management company. A long-term plan that is well laid out and followed could develop timber on your property that can eventually pay for your child’s college or expand your savings for retirement.

One of the greatest attributes of a timber investment is that you can decide when to sell. If the stumpage prices aren’t where you’d like them to be when the time comes to harvest, then you can wait. And as you do, your trees keep growing, which means your investment does too.

The stock market is trading at all-time highs and no one knows where that will lead, but owning and properly managing a timber investment is a great way to diversify your portfolio.

Our team at National Land Realty consists of over 165 registered and licensed agents and brokers, some of which are also registered foresters. We will always strive to get you the best professional advice to maximize your investment and maintain your property!