Ask the Forester
I am a professional forester with over 30 years of experience. I hold Certified Forester® and Forest Certification Auditor® designations from the Society of American Foresters.
I will post the answer to your question if I can provide a worthwhile response based on my personal knowledge and think the question is of general interest. If you provide your email address I will send you a personal response.
Please realize that this service is provided subject to my personal and professional obligations. If you need immediate assistance, please contact your state forestry department or city arborist.
I appreciate your participation and hope that you will visit Treeware again.
Charlie Houder
Recently asked questions
Would you have a list of questions that I should ask a forester before I hire his services? (Submitted 3/4/2011)
I assume you are trying to find some one to help with forest management on your land. Depending on what state you're in, the first thing to ascertain is whether he or she is licensed. Georgia requires foresters who offer their services to others for a fee to be licensed (registered). Florida, where I live, does not. You might then ask whether he or she is a Certified Forester through the Society of American Foresters and/or a member of the Association of Consulting Foresters. These credentials ensure that the individual has a degree from an accredited university, receives continuing education, and subscribes to a code of ethics. Certainly ask for and check references.
From there, the answer depends on the size of the property and type of work that you want done. The field of forestry is broad, so ask for a recent list of projects that involved the same set of services you need. Specialized services areas include inventory, appraisal, management planning, pest management, prescribed burning, timber sales and logging supervision, reforestation, and shade tree care. Each of these areas requires a particular set of skills, equipment, and in some cases, additional licensing.
The contractual relationship you establish with a forester is obviously very important. Depending on the extent and complexity of the services and the risks associated with them, your agreement with the forester may be a simple letter or a detailed contract. In most cases, make sure that the forester will be working directly for you and is not receiving compensation from a timber procurement organization (a dealer or mill) or the supplier of any product or service. The terms of payment should be clearly stated. Determine whether you will be charged by the hour, the acre, or on a percentage of products sold. If paying by the unit (hour, acre, tree), you may wish to specify a not-to-exceed amount so that your ultimate liability is known.
It is often important to specify specifications or performance standards. The accuracy of a forest inventory, for instance, is based on the number and type of sample measurements that are taken. If conducting a selective harvest, will all trees be individually marked, or merely a sample area for the loggers to follow? How will the forester determine the success of a prescribed burn or a tree planting operation?
Since most forest operations involve significant risk to life or property, determine the type and levels of insurance the forester carries, including auto, worker's compensation, and liability. This extends to subcontractors or third parties such as timber buyers and site preparation contractors. It is often advisable to consult with an attorney to make sure that any contract is comprehensive and sufficiently protective of your interests.
Finally, decide whether the forester has asked you the right questions. He or she will need a clear understanding of your short-term and long-term objectives for the property. What are the most important financial considerations: immediate income, asset growth, minimizing taxes, generational transfer? You should have the same level of comfort with a forester that you have with other professionals such as your accountant, lawyer, or doctor.
Is the red cedar native to Florida. I live in Tampa and must plant a replacement tree for a live oak that was removed. Would this be acceptable? (Submitted 8/17/2008)
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and its subspecies, southern red cedar, are native throughout the southeast, including Florida. This species stands a wide variety of sites from moderately moist to very well drained. It is also salt tolerant so it grows well near the coast. It should grow well in most areas that support live oaks (Quercus virginiana). It should be planted in an area with full sun to partial shade and good drainage. A mature red cedar may reach heights of 40 to 50 feet and will have a much more upright form than a live oak. A good fact sheet for this species can be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST327.
Is the crape myrtle native to Florida--specifically the Panhandle area? (Submitted 6/24/2008)
Although the crape myrtle is extremely common in north Florida and across the southern U.S., it is not native. There are several species from Asia and northern Australia that share the name "crape myrtle." The species most commonly planted in our area is Lagerstroemia indica. According to the Wikipedia article, this species from China and Korea was introduced to Charleston, SC about 1790. Having been in this country so long it has become naturalized in some areas. A University of Florida fact sheet indicates that crepe myrtles can be planted in an arc that extends from Massachusetts, down the east coast, across the south, and north to Washington. Still, it is not considered to be an invasive exotic plant by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, so it remains a beautiful and responsible landscaping choice.
Submit your question
Contact me directly at