Rawlings Consulting Forestry

A pulpwood thinning may be the most important forest management tool available for sustaining a vigorous crop tree growth rate and thus, providing a higher return on your investment, protection from many forest insects, and improved wildlife habitat. Recently thinned stand of loblolly pineWhen properly conducted, a pulpwood thinning removes trees from over-stocked plantations and naturally regenerated stands to provide a uniform spacing and optimal exposure of the crown to sunlight. The thinning process may be conducted by harvesting individual rows of trees from a plantation, parallel swaths from natural stands, or individual tree selection focusing on removal of smaller, diseased or deformed trees. In many cases, a combination of techniques is utilized to provide increased benefits. For each pulpwood thinning, services are individualized to ensure forest management goals are obtained while maximizing income from the thinned timber and protecting the future crop trees.

The following is a brief summarization of many services that may be provided for a pulpwood thinning, each of which can be modified to enhance the thinning and adhere to the desired forest management objectives.

  • The relocation and marking of property lines
  • The marking of creek buffers, filter strips, and stream side management zones
  • GPS data collection of property corners, creek buffers, and other physical attributes as needed
  • GIS detailed mapping of the timber sale area and access paths
  • The inventory of the merchantable timber
  • The drafting, printing and distribution of the "Invitation to Bid" and the meeting with prospective timber buyers
  • The conducting of the sealed bid timber sale and acceptance of deposit money by the successful bidder, or a negotiated sale to a chosen buyer with a reputation of conducting high quality pulpwood thinnings
  • Supervision of the preparation of the timber deed or harvesting contract, disbursement of the sale proceeds, and preparation of the closing statement or if harvesting by the unit, weekly harvesting statements
  • Supervision of the pulpwood thinning to ensure sale conditions are met and crop trees are protected

Pulpwood thinning may be beneficial for:

Thinned stand of loblolly pine
  • Private landowners
  • Municipalities
  • Airports
  • Investment firms
  • Individuals wishing to maximize profits
  • Wildlife habitat improvements
  • Protection from tree killing insects
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