Forestry Services
Timber sales, forest management plans, and ecological design for private landowners in southeast Michigan
Most people with wooded land don't know what they have — or what it could become. I help private landowners in southeast Michigan understand their forests, make good decisions about timber, and put conservation practices in place that improve land health for decades.
Timber Sales
A timber sale done right starts with a thorough understanding of what you have. I walk the property with you, identify which trees are ready for harvest, and build a prospectus that lets buyers compete on price — not negotiate from ignorance.
My role is to represent you — the landowner — through the entire process. That means blind competitive pricing, careful tree selection that leaves your woods in better shape than it started, and on-site oversight during harvest to make sure the agreement is followed.
This is selective harvesting, not clear cutting. The goal is a healthier, more productive forest — not just short-term revenue.
Talk About a Timber Sale
Forest Management Plans
A forest management plan is a full inventory of your property and a written 10–20 year roadmap for managing it well. It describes what's there now, what condition it's in, and what steps will improve forest health and productivity over time.
A written plan is also the key that unlocks government cost-share programs. If you're applying for NRCS funding, the Qualified Forest Program (QFP) tax incentive, or other state and federal assistance, a plan from a registered forester is typically required.
What a management plan includes
- Full property walk and forest inventory
- Species composition and stand condition assessment
- Identification of invasive species and pest/disease pressure
- 10–20 year management recommendations
- Written documentation suitable for NRCS and QFP submissions
$800–$2,500 depending on acreage and scope. Contact me for a site-specific estimate.
Conservation & Ecological Design
This is where the approach here differs from most consulting forestry work in southeast Michigan. A healthy woodland isn't just a managed timber stand — it's a functioning ecological system. Managing it well means thinking about invasive species, native plant communities, wildlife habitat, and soil health together.
Most clients start with a management plan, which identifies where invasive pressure is worst, what's missing from the native plant layer, and what the land is capable of supporting. Implementation follows from there.
What this work includes
- Invasive species removal and control (bush honeysuckle, garlic mustard, autumn olive, and others)
- Native understory and groundcover plantings
- Afforestation and reforestation — adding trees to open or degraded areas
- Habitat improvement for birds, pollinators, and deer
- Integration with existing management plans
Current equipment supports invasive removal on 1–2 acre areas per season. Larger projects are available via equipment rental — ask about your specific situation.
Talk About Conservation Work
How a Timber Sale Works
From the first site walk to final payment, here's what the process looks like from your end.
Site Walk & Assessment
Walk the property, evaluate the stand, and define your long-term goals for the land.
Tree Marking & Prospectus
Mark harvest candidates in the field and prepare a detailed prospectus for buyers.
Blind Competitive Bidding
Multiple licensed buyers submit sealed bids — no negotiation, full price protection.
Contract & Coordination
Review contract terms together, then coordinate logistics to get harvest scheduled.
On-Site Oversight
Present during harvest to ensure the right trees come down and the site is left in good shape.
Is this right for you?
The work here is best suited for a specific kind of landowner. Here's an honest look at who I'm a good fit for — and who probably isn't.
Good fit
- Private landowner with 20–150 acres of woodland
- Located in southeast Michigan (Washtenaw, Monroe, Lenawee, Jackson, Livingston, or Hillsdale county)
- Interested in conservation cost-share programs (NRCS, QFP)
- Looking for a long-term relationship, not a one-time transaction
- Wants ecological outcomes alongside timber revenue
- Needs a management plan to qualify for government programs
Probably not the right fit
- Large commercial timber operations (500+ acres)
- Properties north of Lansing or outside the service area
- Looking for maximum short-term timber extraction only
- Expecting a rapid turnaround on large-acreage invasive removal
Let's talk about your land.
A free call is the best first step — you describe your property, I'll explain what makes sense, and we figure out if there's a good fit.
Schedule a Free Call