Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! One such program in West Virginia is offered through the WV Division of Forestry. Depending on the tax classification of the property, a written plan can be submitted which describes managed use of the property for sustainable forestry practices for nonindustrial, privately owned forestland. Other state and federal programs are available, including cost share and cost reimbursement programs for forestry, wildlife and more. Contact us today to learn more.

The term stumpage refers to the value of standing trees found on your timber tract, after a timber inventory or timber marking is completed. Stumpage is the dollar amount estimated or the amount a timber broker or mill is offering for your timber. Once the landowner has been paid stumpage for the selected timber trees, all other costs to harvest and transport the cut trees are the responsibility of the timber buyer or logger.

Many factors influence timber prices, including seasonal demand and prices for individual tree species, ie: poplar and oak species vary in price. Many other factors contribute to your timber worth, including past land use, timber quality, soil conditions, tree species composition, number of trees selected for harvesting and the total acreage available for harvesting. A timber inventory, or cruise, will give the landowner a snapshot of the current timber volume and tree composition, which can be used to guide forest management.

We can help give you an estimate on your timber’s worth – contact us.

Being mindful of your tree(s) throughout the changing seasons and noticing slight variations in things such as leaf color, early leaf drop, oozing wounds and increased insect activity may lead to early detection of invasive pests or pathogens. Oak wilt is emerging as a considerable threat to red oak trees in both forest and yard settings. This vascular disease progresses swiftly through the tree, disrupting the nutrient cycle of the tree. Tree mortality can result in up to two years or as quickly as 30 days.

This is one of the hardest questions an arborist faces. There is no one good plant-all tree. This is discouraged to avoid a monoculture, which can succumb to one pests or harbor unwanted pests or suffer from one natural condition. Keep in mind how much space you have available for a new tree (height, crown spread and root area), what features you desire (flowers, bark, form), features that may not be desirable (leaves, fruit, needles), and what the future use near the tree may consist of.

This can vary depending on tree species, age, condition and your objectives. Some small flowering trees are best pruned in the late spring, in order to encourage flowering. Older, mature trees should likely be pruned in the colder months, in order to promote callous formation at pruning sites and discourage pest and disease accumulation. Hazard limbs (broken and/or hanging limbs) can be removed at any time to prevent injury or substantial loss of property.

Tree pruning refers to removing unwanted or unhealthy plant parts (dead limbs, crossing/rubbing limbs, or unhealthy parts) for the future health of the tree. Tree trimming is concerned with aesthetics and the overall visible appeal of the tree or plant.

Forestry refers to the management of trees and forest ecosystems on a broad scale, managing multiple tree species across larger tracts of land. Arboriculture is primarily concerned with the management of individual trees and plants or trees located in small groups, typically located near homes and structures, along utility right-of-ways, or in public settings such as parks or campgrounds.