FORESTRY ASSISTANCE IN MICHIGAN

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

	Michigan DNR		Consulting Foresters
	Conservation Districts		Tree Farm Program
	Forest Industry		Nurseries
	Hire A Forester First

Technical assistance is available from a variety of public agencies, corporations, consultants, associations, and others. Assistance from some providers is free, whereas, others charge a fee for their services. Names, addresses, and phone numbers are listed throughout this website, and you are encouraged to contact these providers for professional technical assistance. When making important management decisions, the advice of a forester should always be used. Foresters may work for loggers, sawmills, industries, their own companies, or public agencies. The trick is finding the right one for your needs.

Forest, Mineral, & Fire Management Division
Internet Connection

The mission statement for the Forest Management Division is as follows:
"The mission of the Forest Management Division is to provide for the protection, integrated management, and responsible use of a healthy, productive, and undiminished forest resource base for the social, recreational, environmental, and economic benefit of the people of the State of Michigan."

Among the DNR’s responsibilities are landowner assistance and public education. Certain DNR Foresters are charged with administering the Commercial Forest Program, the Forest Stewardship Program (plan writing), the Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP, cost-sharing), and as a information clearinghouse and sometimes administration of several additional programs targeting private forests. Private Forest Management foresters, assigned to each state forest area, are listed below:

Eastern Upper Peninsula.
Central Upper Peninsula.  Ernie Houghton.  6833 Hwy 2-41.  Gladstone, MI  49837  (906) 786-2351.
Western Upper Peninsula. Gary Willis (part-time) Rt. 4 Box 796, Newberry MI 49868   (906) 293-5131.
Northeast Lower Peninsula.
Middle Lower Peninsula.
Southern Lower Peninsula. Mike Hanley. P.O. Box 30452, Lansing, MI   48909-7952   (517) 241-1608.

Wildlife Division
Internet Connection

The Wildlife Division Private Lands Program in southern Michigan provides technical assistance to landowners interested in managing their lands for wildlife. Direct field visits, educational workshops, brochures, and fact sheets are provided. A major portion of the program is cooperative between Wildlife Division and the county Soil and Water Conservation Districts. For assistance, contact the local county Conservation District office or call Mark Sargent of the Wildlife Division at (517) 641-6667.

Conservation District Resource Professionals
   Internet Connection

Conservation Districts provide technical assistance and resource, education and outreach to citizens, landowners, and communities throughout the state.  This information and technical assistance includes tree planting, tree care, reforestation, forest management, wildlife habitat management, soil erosion control, timber harvest advice, forest tax laws, outdoor classrooms and backyard habitat, and presentations at local schools and workshops.  In 2002, the DNR and MDA eliminated the Cooperative Resource Management Initiative (CRMI) due to state budget cuts.  The loss of the CRMI caused many of the Conservation District Resource Professionals to seek employment elsewhere.  As a result, the delivery of services to Michigan landowners is more difficult in many areas of the state.          

Conservation District Resource Professionals (foresters or wildlife biologists) give management advice, and then usually refer landowners to others to provide the actual service.  Foresters who work for wood-using companies, wood suppliers (loggers), or those in business for themselves (consulting foresters) often provide some of the following

• Timber Marketing (timber sale preparation) for Grade and Veneer, Pallet Logs, Pulpwood, Chips, Cabin Logs, Utility Poles, and Firewood. ( * See example below)
• Develop Management Plans for Wildlife, Timber, Recreation, and for other landowner’s objectives.
• Specialty Services. Resource Surveys and Feasibility Studies, Timberland Investment Advice, Tax Management and Control, and Expert Witness.

Timber sale preparation is a common service.  For example, on some timber sales the forester will mark, with tree marking paint, all of the trees to be harvested.  As each tree is marked, the diameter, merchantable height and species are recorded on a tally sheet.  From this data, the number of trees and volume is determined by species, and the landowner can be paid accordingly for the stumpage to be harvested.  Once the owner has accepted the offer, the forester prepares the timber sale contract and administers the contract through completion.

If a consulting forester prepares the sale, a timber sale notice describing the sale is sent out to numerous reputable buyers for bid.  It is common for bids to vary significantly, depending on the needs and markets of the buyers.  Once the owner has accepted a bid, the consultant prepares the timber sale contract and administers the contract through completion.  The successful bidder arranges for harvest of the sale and pays the consultant for the stumpage.   The charge for the consultant's services is deducted and the remainder paid to the landowner.

Listed below are corporations that offer free forest management assistance programs for landowners. Each offers varying services, purchases varying forest products, and covers different areas of Michigan. Most will provide a field inspection, management plan, timber sale contracting and administration, tree marking, and timber product marketing. They may also be able to direct you to other foresters in your area who can also provide these services.

In addition to these forest management assistance programs, many sawmills, logging companies, and other timber purchasers have professional foresters on staff for technical assistance. Most assistance, including timber cruising, management plans, sale setup and administration, is also provided free of charge. The Michigan Forestry Directory is an excellent resource. To purchase a copy, contact the Michigan Association of Timbermen at 800-682-4979.

Consulting Foresters
MSU Listing

• Specialty Services. Resource Surveys and Feasibility Studies, Timberland Investment Advice, Tax Management and Control, and Expert Witness.
• Some Forestry Consultants are also state licensed to provide Real Estate Brokerage, Land Surveying and Appraisals.

The membership directory of the Michigan Association of Consulting Foresters (MACF) is listed below, although this lists changes regularly and may contain outdated listings. There may be other consulting foresters in your area that are not members of this association, and therefore, have not been included in the following table. Either a DNR Private Forest Management Forester or a Conservation District Forester (Resource Professional) should be able to refer you to others in your vicinity. (These are both mentioned above.)

Consulting Foresters (partial list)

Nurseries
Christmas Tree Grower's List

Listed are nurseries that sell tree seedlings and shrubs. They may also be a source for planting information and supplies. Some County Conservation Districts run tree seedling sales programs. Bare-root seedlings are usually available and planted in the spring. Containerized seedlings can be planted any time the ground is thawed. They can often be ordered on-line from regional nurseries, such as the Itasca Greenhouse in Grand Rapids, MN.

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This website is maintained by Bill Cook, Michigan State University Extension Forest in the Upper Peninsula.  Comments, questions, and suggestions are gratefully accepted. 

Last update of this page was 27 January, 2015

This site is hosted by School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Technological University.