The ultimate in professional expertise... Look for the "Certified Forester" designation when selecting a consulting
forester. It indicates a professional certification designated by the Society of American Foresters.
Who Needs a Consulting Forester?
- Forest Landowners: To manage their resource for multiple uses while considering economic potential.
- Attorneys and Insurance Companies: to gather evidence establishing facts about conditions on a client's
property and to assist on forest resource litigation and claims.
- Bankers and Accountants: to plan estate forest resource management and to summarize forest financial
data for taxation purposes.
- City and County Agencies: to perform inventories of street tree populations or create maps and inventories
of park trees utilizing Global Positionong Systems. Provide training of tree maintenance crews.
- Architects, Site Planners, Builders: to provide detailed expertise in tree protection strategies on
sites planned for development.
- Homeowners and Property Managers: to provide accurate and unbiased diagnosis of tree and shrub problems;
and to provide Plant Health Care information to create more attractive and healthy plants.
Why Select a Consulting Forester?
The purpose of engaging a consulting forester is to get competent, professional advice and assistance in the
management and marketing of forest resources. Just as the use of expert medical, legal, business, financial,
or tax advice is expected to improve one's livelihood, so the employment of a consulting forester can be
expected to generate or improve income and reduce costs while improving landowner's forest property for
future uses and growth. It is in the forest lanowner's best interest to obtain the best possible advice
and assistance since any operation carried out in the forest has a very long lasting effect.
MCFA Members are required to: be a graduate of a Society of American Foresters accredited college or university with a
minimum of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry; have at least three years' professional field experience; or have an equivalent
combination of education and experience in practical forest administration and management. No MCFA member may
have an economic interest in a timber purchasing or procurement entity with its potential conflict of interest.
What Timberland Services Can a Consulting Forester Provide?
MCFA Members offer a wide range of services. The specific services vary with individual
consultants. The roster provided on this web site describes the services that each consultant
provides along with other detailed information
A general list of services that consulting foresters may provide is as follows:
VALUE APPRAISALS and/or INVENTORIES:
- Buying or selling of timber or timber lands
- Damage from fire, theft, chemical spray, condemnation, etc.
- Taxation information
DEVELOPMENT OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANS WITH EMPHASIS ON:
- Increased timber production
- Recreational Development
- Wildlife management
- Watershed protection
SILVICULTURAL (cultural) PRACTICES:
- Site preparation for regeneration
- Tree planting of proper species for each site
- Thinning and pruning to increase crop tree value
- Forest Stand Improvement (FSI) by removing unwanted/undesireable trees
MARKETING ASSISTANCE FOR SELLING FOREST PRODUCTS:
- Marking trees to be sold
- Soliciting bids when practical
- Preparing timber sale contracts
- Monitoring/Overseeing timber sales
URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY:
- Shade tree value/damage appraisals
- Street/Shade tree inventories/mapping
- Disease/insect damage diagnosis
- Assist with tree protection during urban development
OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE:
- Real Estate appraisals
- Christmas tree management
- Specialty product marketing
- Environmental impact studies
