A Landowner's Guide to Managing Your Woods How to Maintain a Small Acreage for Long-Term Health, Biodiversity, and High-Quality Timber Production

There are more than 4 million private woodland owners in the United States, and together they own 35 percent of all U.S. forests. Most have little or no previous experience of land ownership, most own small-scale properties of less than 40 acres, and many live on their land. They may want to create some income from timber, maple syrup, firewood, or other products, but many want only to enjoy their land and to improve or maintain its health, appearance, and value. A Landowner's Guide to Managing Your Woods is the introductory resource these woodland owners need. Simple enough for complete beginners, it explains how to sustainably manage a wooded property, whether it's a few acres in the suburbs or a small commercial forest. Readers will learn how to identify the type, health, and quality of their trees and woodland; how to plant, prune, and thin trees; how to improve their ecosystem by improving trails, adding water, and diversifying; how to improve wildlife habitat; and how to increase enjoyment and use of the land by harvesting timber, cutting firewood, building wildlife blinds, making maple sugar, growing Christmas trees, hunting, and more. It offers advice on when and how to hire professional foresters and how to protect against forest fires. And it discusses what kind of financial return a landowner can expect, tax programs that may be helpful, the value of certificates and cooperatives, and the basics of estate planning. Whether their interest is in selling a cash crop, maximizing enjoyment of the land, or just maintaining the health, beauty, and value of their woods, all small woodland owners will turn to A Landowner's Guide to Managing Your Woods.

Ann Larkin Hansen is a woodland owner, a farmer, and the author of several books, including The Organic Farming Manual. Mike Severson is a Certified Master Logger, licensed arborist, and tree surgeon. He is dedicated to sustainable forestry and education for good forest management Dennis L. Waterman is a professional consulting forester who serves private landowners with small acreages. His services include forest stewardship Management plans; timber harvest; and forest inventory, mapping, and appraisals