Ask the landowner

[OneWithWood]

Comments from a landowner:
I have three different plans that were written by foresters and a biologist for my property.  Each parcel had a plan writen when it was purchased.  I refer to these plans a lot as I map out what I am going to do in each area. 
The key here is the "I".  Because I do 99% of the TSI and BMP work on the property, good, well written plans that encompass all aspects of the forest are very important to me.  One of the things I utilize a lot is the soil map that came with each plan.  Recently the aerial photos have become readily available and are a great addition to the plans. 
I did accompany each individual on a cruise of each parcel before that plan was written.  This gave me great opportunities to ask questions and learn about the forest.  Many of my misconceptions were laid to rest on these cruises.  When the information reappeared in the written plan it reinforced what I heard.
Now that some years have passed and most of the plans have been enacted I am contacting my District Forester.  It is time again for the five year visit for the classification program.  My goal for this cruise is to acquire an updated plan that encompasses the entire property and builds on what has been accomplished.
Woodtroll, I would encourage you to write every plan on the assumption that the landowner will take it to heart.  Who knows?  It could be the plan you write that puts someone on the path to being an excellent steward of a property they had little interest in before.  It was that initial cruise and plan that opened up a world of possibilities for me, and literally changed my life 

[Urbicide]

Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners Association , a group of timberland owners interested in good timber management, have about 800 members.  The state classified forest program which gives a tax break for putting the timberland in classified number over 10,000.  The 10,000 have to have a management plan.  Some use them, most don't.

I have been very fortunate in that I have an excellent State Service Forester by the name of Tim Wilson. I have read the management plan Tim wrote for me cover-to-cover more times than I can remember. He even helped me get into a Dept. of Agriculture EQUIP program for improving timber stand conditions. All of the surrounding parcels are listed with the county as for growing timber. 10 acres is the magic minimum number in Ohio for getting into ag related property tax reduction (CAUV). Too bad none of the property owners do anything to improve the conditions of their forests. Some have magnificent stands of bush honeysuckle.

[Cedarman]

I have seen a small portion of OWW's woods.   He knows what he is doing.  There is a fine woods growing.

[SwampDonkey]

I’ve never put much stock in estimates.     

That's all the cruise is and it only pertains to that point in time when it was done. Projections are based on growth and yield studies most state and provincial governments monitor on a  regular basis over a broad range of sites and cover types. Also, from our knowledge to date of how certain cover types and species develop over time. It's no different than investing money. It is exactly an investment, but it isn't without risks. Nobody can guarantee against that. Even providers of "Errors and Omissions Liability" insurance will not insure estimated or projected forest crop yield. I have an old policy right here that has a section of exclusions, and that is one of them.

[Darin]

I had my plan done by the state and I was very disappointed in the lack of information. I ended up calling him back for some better information. I guess its true you get what you pay for as it didn't cost me anything.

[SwampDonkey]

Lots of forum members on here write good plans. Some follow a form and format of an association, company/government, or certification body. Mine follow the local woodlot association format, but I have made improvements to it. Because it lacked a little bit of information to show the landowner what the prescriptions are based on, such as basal area distribution and quality, contour of the land, stream locations with buffers and few other things. The format even lacked some detail on a logging plan. The government program here only pays $100 per PID, that could be on 12-2500 acres of land. So you can imagine what kind of plan you get if the woodlot association and owner don't add to the pot. We used to have a program where so much was for writing and so much for acreage you walked and the owner only paid $35 I think. That's how I structure my rates, the only fare way I know. My original point of this post was to say that some of your foresters might have a sample copy of their form and format with use of a 'fictitious" landowner so you get an idea of what to expect.

[beenthere]

Darin
I too had mine done by a State District Forester. Because he was trying to cover all the bases, there were "boiler plate" sections in there (I'm sure not specific to my wood lot, but in general for all plans he wrote) that read like a lawyer had written them. Lawyer-ese, and lengthy, and not to the point. In addition, there were specific things that he knew I was not in favor of (like previous plans, I was to cut down my large, old red oak trees which I prize and which are den trees and he knew both. Also, he said I was to clearcut the dying aspen and walnut and ash areas so the aspen would come back for the deer to feed on - this at a time when the deer herd was too large and encouraging more wasn't wise IMO - besides, I was anxious for the aspen to completely fall so the walnuts I interplanted there would succeed). For a neighbor, he included removing the invasive species, buckthorn, and lined him up with federal money to get paid for removing it, using spray and mechanical means. My buckthorn wasn't mentioned.

My point is, there is no good medium to know how much or how little to make a good plan for the owner. I think making one that is straight-forward, simple, and understandable by the owner is most important. If he/she understands it, then likely will use it and will ask questions to expand on further areas of their specific interest.  Others might think the larger it is, and more difficult it is to read, would be the better plan. Where is a good happy medium?  Doubt there is one. 

[cheyenne]

Everyone here makes a strikingly valid point. But there's only two reasons for the question. Money or Health of the forest. IMHO you can't have one without the other. So give the landowner both sides of the story and let them make thier own decision because they will anyway. (One with wood I compliment you on your foresight) I've lived in the woods for 67 years and never seen a better steward than mother nature......Cheyenne