Virginia Forestry, looking for thinning of my pine trees

[LHJim]

Hello everyone,

I own some property in southern VA. I have looked around and interested in finding a website that members contribute in a forum. I know this is one of them but this is a forestery and would think there would be a forestry dedicated website where I can chose my location like Virginia. And find out what members use for their thinning etc.

I think I had found one years ago but cannot remember what it is. When I looked around all point to DOF (Dept of Virginia Forestry) but this appears to not have members contributing ideas?

Anyone know of something like this? Basically my place is in southern VA and has Loblolly pine trees and I need to think out this place. And preferably get some money for this thinning. I just figured you guys would know something?

Thanks

 

[Chainsaw Pete]

Cannot help you with anything substantive to your question.

A friend of mine sold some hardwood from his land in far western New York. He made some good money, but the loggers strayed over the property lines and logged a neighbor's woods. No idea how he found the company, but it should not be too hard to find someone near your land. I have also heard of similar screwups (aka horror stories) by other logging companies. I know no details and am not smearing the industry, but once a tree is down and hauled away by 'mistake' there is not much you can do to remedy the situation.

Based on what I have heard, I would suggest a walk through the area, mark the trees that will be removed, and make sure you are on site while they work. Get references, check them out and talk to the people who have used the companies. Unless you don't care what happens....

 

[LHJim]

Thanks for contributing to this thread.

Yeah I agree that there are unscrupulous groups but from what I have seen on the DOF website those logging guys look reputable. However DOF says they do not monitor the logging operation. I have walked my property and see the need to thin trees. And I agree I will have to go down there and watch them do the thinning. However I saw on one of the operation website where they GPS mark the spot. But I will have to see what trees they are going to thin out etc. In other words boot work lol.

I was hoping someone would contribute saying they had good experience with this group etc. Not getting my hopes too high. But I swear I saw one a few years ago but cannot find it now however I will have to go with that I seen on the VA DOF.

And no I do care what happens. After all this is why I bought the property years ago.

again thanks for throwing your input. Really appreciate it!

 

[Chainsaw Pete]

Thanks for contributing to this thread.

I'm a retired electrician. When people asked me how do I find a plumber, painter, whatever, my first response was...ask your friends. Word of mouth is the first way. If that fails, go to city hall, stop at the building dept, and ask the chief inspector (commissioner, building official, etc.) for their approved contractor list. Call the contractors and ask for references and CALL the refs. Ask the people what said contractor did for them and how they performed. Another idea I had was to ask the inspector who he would call if he needed some plumbing, painting, etc. done. He cannot recommend contractors (if he did, I'd check the company out like the FBI was vetting a political appointee) but he can tell you who he would hire. Might some of these ideas work for you?

Btw, I was not suggesting that the 'horror stories' were due to unscrupulous companies. They might have been, or they might have been due to honest errors, over zealous crews, and negligent owners who did not get any more involved in the process than counting the money they would make.

 

[LHJim]

Of course these will work. But in all honesty getting a plumber or painter probably applies to everyone. Forestery is going to be a different animal cuz not everyone has a large property that needs thinning. Hence probably the DOF will have this info. And I am waiting to hear back from two of the logging operation and go from there. But I understood what you meant. Thanks.

And oh yeah I do not mean to apply everyone is a horror story. I actually think the loggers (on DOF) are probably pretty reputable.

Right now I send email to two of the logging outfits. Waiting to hear back from them and we go from there. These were found on the VA DOF so I will see. I suspect with all of the holidays now I may not hear promptly but that is ok. I got time tho.