Consulting Forester Directory
Consulting foresters help landowners achieve their goals in managing woodlands. Please review the section below for guidance on selecting the best professional forester for your needs.
The directory's information provided is maintained by the Tennessee Forestry Association. The Division of Forestry does not endorse or recommend one consultant over another. The information contained in this directory is provided as a service to private landowners and should be verified before using.
A consultant’s livelihood is based on satisfied clients. The consulting forester you hire should serve you and represent your best interests in all matters concerning your woodlands.
Consultants’ fees may be based on the amount of time required to perform the job, the acreage of woodland involved, or a contract price based on a proportion of the revenues obtained from the sale of timber. Cost should be one consideration in choosing a consultant, but their experience, performance, record, and understanding of your objectives is equally important. There is no single best way to manage forestland; so, choose a consultant who understands your personal needs and with whom you feel comfortable. Time spent reviewing consultants’ qualifications and references is a wise investment.
The knowledge and experience of consulting foresters vary widely. Determine a consultant’s qualifications from personal interviews, and obtain references from several clients. Obtain this and other information, including cost estimates, from several consulting foresters before choosing one to handle your forestry affairs.
There are no legal standards governing consultants’ work in Tennessee; however, the Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF) and the Society of American Foresters (SAF) each has membership criteria, including the prerequisite of a professional forestry education. Membership in one or more of these organizations is an indication of a consultant’s professional commitment.
Both organizations have adopted a formal code of ethics, or standards of conduct, which guide the professional performance of ACF and SAF members. Copies of the ACF and SAF codes of ethics are found on their respective websites.
Once you have selected a consultant, you should sign a contract or written agreement. It should list specific services to be performed, how they will be performed, and specifies that the forester or landowner will be responsible for that part of the project. For example, if property boundaries are to be marked, specify who will search the records for property descriptions. If timber is to be sold, determine whether it will be by competitive bid, negotiated bid, or contract logging. Include how often the consultant will check during harvesting to assure that the job is done correctly and how the volume of timber sold will be determined and by whom. If post-harvest cleanup is part of the job, specify who may receive proceeds from possible cordwood sales from the tops of trees after logging. These are just a few of the services that should be addressed in a contract or written agreement.
Individuals interested in becoming Tennessee Accredited Forester can find more information on the Tennessee Forestry Association's Website.