SC Landowner's Guide to Timber Property Management -- An Overview

Did you know that there are certain guidelines or objectives that should be considered when it comes to your timberland? The SFI, or Sustainable Forestry Initiative, promotes sustainable forest management and forest management responsibility. SFI is based on the premise that business and the environment can co-exist in a mutually beneficial relationship. When it comes to your timberland, keep the objectives of the SFI in your mind.

74% of South Carolina's forestland is owned by private landowners.

If you are one of these private landowners in SC, your attitudes and decisions involving your timberland have an affect not only on the environment, but also on the economy of SC. In fact, if you consider that timber is an agricultural product, it is South Carolina's most valued crop. As you know, the health of our forests directly effects wildlife habitats, clean air, clean water, and many recreational activities. Healthy South Carolina forests also provide timber for wood and paper products for our entire nation. Our government seems to be constantly changing laws and regulations, so private landowners should always consult a professional, like a timber consultant, when it comes to timber property management.​

Please review this overview of things a landowner in South Carolina needs to consider when he or she is managing timber property:

Professional help

To help ensure the private landowner's success at timber property management in South Carolina, the first step the landowner may want to consider is contacting  a qualified professional.​

​Management plan

It is a good idea for the landowner to have in place a forest management plant. This plan can be simple, and could address issues like growing timber, protecting any threatened species, promoting aesthetics, maintaining water and soil quality, creating a biologically diverse wildlife habitat, harvesting timber, and reducing risk of damage from fire, storms, insects, and disease.​

Timber sale agreement

Private landowners must protect their interests when selling timber. Timber can generally be sold on a lump sum basis or a pay-as-cut basis. Sometimes, a landowner can advertise a sale to multiple buyers and get multiple sealed bids. Rest assured that no 2 contracts will be alike, but all should have some basic things outlined. But that is another blog post!​

Reforestation

If you as a private landowner decide to harvest some or all of your timber, you should consider the effects and the costs of reforestation BEFORE the timber harvest. Reforestation, with proper planning, is a worthwhile long-term investment for the private landowner, but it can be as costly as $200 / acre, so planning upfront is important.​

Forest taxation

It's that dreaded little 3 letter word: T-A-X. Timber income and timber asset taxation are two major issues that the landowner should think about when managing private property in South Carolina.​ For this aspect of timber management, a tax advisor or accountant should be consulted. The first step for the landowner is to establish what is known as 'basis' for his or her timber property. Depending on whether property was inherited or not will determine the way basis is calculated.

Environmental factors

There are innumerable environmental factors that a landowner should be aware of when it comes to the management of timber property. Special sites on the property, such as historical landmarks or creeks or sandhills need to be recognized by the landowner. If your property has any type of endangered or threatened wildlife, like the Frosted Flatwoods Salamander or the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker.

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22563225@N04/4506569114/">swainboat</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>