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FAQ How do you Measure and Appraise these Large Forests so Quickly?

By
Real Estate Agent with Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified #1 in Forest Land Mgmt

FAQ  How do you Measure and Appraise these Large Forests so Quickly?timber cruising

 The quick answer is Statistics.

The Foresters at Woodland Management Service do Appraise forests of all sizes ranging from individual urban trees to large tracts as large as a half million acres.

Woodland management service, Wisconsin ForestersConsidering that it takes a day to measure and appraise a group of trees in a yard you would think that it would take weeks to measure a forty, or decades to measure a large half million acre tract.

Luckily for our clients, as the properties get larger, our samples get smaller.  On very small properties where the diversity is proportionally larger we need to measure many more trees per acre to get accurate results, often 100 percent, whereas on larger properties we take carefully designed sample plots that accomplish the same quality goal.

These sample plots are designed to get a good sampling of all of the trees in the forest, and the number and size of the plots will be based on the diversity of the forest in proportion to the size of the forest.timber cruising

And each plot is also weighted as to the size of the trees, with more larger trees than smaller trees being measured, using a technique that we call Basal Area Sampling.

On the smaller parcels, like a 5 acre forest, we might measure anywhere between 5 plots and 100 percent of the trees, largely depending on the variably of size, species, quality of the trees in this forest.

timber cruisingOn a forty acre tract we may get a good inventory with as little as 16 plots, or if it is more diverse and higher value, we may need to put in closer to 40 plots.

Now the real magic happens when we get into the huge tracts of land, the large investment grade properties where we may put in as little as 1 plot per hundred acres.  With this kind of coverage you would not think that we would be accurate, but we are extremely accurate.

Most Forestry companies are not geared up to handle this type of inventory, but we have made it our specialty to inventory tracts of all sizes, quickly and accurately not just in the Lake States but throughout North America.

The next time that you hear of a large or small tract changing hands, give us a call, we can help.

 

 

And remember, When only the Best will do, Call on the WMS Crew!!

 

 

Comments (13)

Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I often wondered how you were able to do an appraisal so quickly Bob, thanks for the answer here.

Jun 30, 2013 04:40 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

You are right, I have often wondered the question, so thank for answering the question. I'm sure there are many who wondered the same thing.

Make it a great week!

Jun 30, 2013 07:03 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Bob your posting have opened my eyes to the world of forestry, and it is much appreciated.  

Thanks for the explanation of forestry appraisal.

Jun 30, 2013 11:22 PM
Liz Wallace
Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY
Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

I came by from Jennifer's re-blog and I had no idea that a forest could be appraised or sold.  You'll have to excuse my ignorance, I'm a city mouse.

Jun 30, 2013 11:46 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Bob, I too am a city mouse, and I found this post to be fascinating!  Great niche you'e got here.

Jul 01, 2013 12:35 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Morning Bob...yet again, another great post...worthy of a feature! I hope you and the family enjoy the holiday soon!

Jul 01, 2013 12:51 AM
Scott Larson
BHHS/Utah Properties - Park City, UT
Park City, Utah Real Estate News

Great information Bob, I had no idea how you really did this but it really makes sense when you explain it like that.

Jul 01, 2013 05:19 AM
Digital Digital
Alachua, FL
full service

Hi Bob,

I'm learning so much from your FAQ about forestry it's unbelievable. Thanks for sharing, you have expanded my knowledge, I love that!

Have a Happy 4th of July!

Jul 04, 2013 10:34 AM
Brad MacKenzie
Brad MacKenzie - Duxbury, MA
Turning Houses into Homes on the South Shore

That's interesting. Is the work the same in virgin forests? I can see how planted tracts would have a bit of a monoculture going on. . . 

Jul 06, 2013 10:27 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Hey, Bob!  I included this post in today’s  Last Week’s Favorites.  Please drop by and check it out, and have a great week!

Jul 07, 2013 11:59 AM
Sally Crane
WMS - Unity, WI
Woodland appraisal support.

Great pictures Bob, and of course it is good to read about your business and how you do the things you do for the forests.

Jul 23, 2013 07:00 AM
Nicholas Crane
Woodland Companies - Cadott, WI
Managing & Appraising Forest Land

Thanks for the info, I am not sure I ever wondered how you finished appraisals so fast... I guess I always figured it was because of the Cruise Master you have pictured above. 

Apr 18, 2015 11:51 AM
The Woodland Team of Texas
The Woodland Companies - Austin, TX
Land Specialists

Hi Bob, I am enjoying going through some of your early blog posts and reposts and getting ready to start doing some posts myself soon.

Feb 16, 2019 11:26 PM