When we think about value in our money oriented culture, the first thing that pops into our mind is dollars. Keep in mind that the scope of values in "Taking Care of Your Forest" is much broader and more inclusive than simply the dollar value of a tree or woodlot. The values you hold for land and forest may include many things of value near and dear to you; wildlife, water bodies, outdoor recreation, wildflowers, quite spaces, painting nature, trees and forest products, financial return, nurturing and protecting the environment.

What follows here is a self-reflective survey that will help you become aware of your values and goals for owning land and forest. These questions ask you about you and your land, what you want from your forest. There is no scoring and there are no right or wrong answers.  We suggest that you print off a hard copy and fill in your responses, then use this form for further review and discussion with family, friends, neighbors, or natural resource professionals.

Getting clear about your values is the very first step into taking care of your forest. Your values shape the scope of what is important in your forest management plan and activities out in your forest. You may want to revisit this self-reflective survey from time to time see what values are changing or remaining.

Name _________________________________________________________________________________

Date __________________________________________________________________________________

Property Size __________________________________________________________________________

Property Location _______________________________________________________________________

I.  You and Your Property

1. How long have you or your family owned this property (# of years)? 

2. How much longer do you expect to own it (span of years)? 

3. What are you most likely to eventually do with this property (Example:  sell, pass on to another family member)? 

4. Do you live on or adjacent to your property?  

5. Do you plan to build on your property? If yes, When?

6. Are any public uses of your property restricted? 

 II.  Working on Your Property

1. Number of days of free labor available to you. ______ days

2. Percent of earnings from your woodland you are willing to put back into non-income producing natural resource improvements. 
    _____ none  _____ 10-20%    _____ 30-40%  _____ 50-60%  _____ 70-80%  _____ 90-100% 

3. Amount you are willing to spend, if required, on natural resource improvements.
   _____ none  _____ $100  _____ $500  _____ $1000  _____ other 

4. List or describe the tools and equipment that you own, can borrow or rent, and can operate (Ex: tractor and implements, truck, chain saw, axe or other hand tools).

5. List any maps, survey notes, air photos, soils maps, etc. that you have for your property and for adjoining properties. 

6. Describe any natural constraints, such as rock ledge or wetland, that may limit management or other activities on your property:  

7. Describe any regulatory or legal constraints, such as zoning or easements, that may limit management or other activities on your property.

8. Describe anything else that may limit management or other activities on your property.

III.  What You Want From Your Property

Place check-marks in the table to indicate the importance of each value of your property to you. 

For each value that you checked as High or Medium in importance, complete the corresponding section for that value.                                                                  

A.  Income
Many people own forest land because of the regular income that can be generated from the land, or need periodic income for a variety of reasons from paying taxes and bills, to going on a vacation.

1. State why you need income from your land, and when? 

2. How much income do you expect or want from your land in the future (Ex:  Every Year _____   Next Year _____  Next 5 Years  _____  Next 10 Years  _____).

3. What types of activities do you expect will generate this income (Ex:  selling wood - describe what products such as pulp, saw timber, or firewood; selling gravel; user fees; crop production; other).

B.  Scenic Beauty
For many, the scenic or aesthetic values of forest land are very important.   Use this section to express your feelings and concerns about the visual aspects of your property, as well as to explore some opportunities for management of the scenic beauty of your property. Specific features, such as views, individual trees or whole stands with unique character, canopy effects along a trail or road, or perhaps the ability to look into a stand are part of the aesthetic character of your property.  Also consider the combined effects of different features, such as open fields adjacent to softwood or hardwood stands, or a pond surrounded by a variety of trees and shrubs.

1. How important was scenic beauty when you originally purchased this property? 
   _____ High   _____  Low   _____ Not Important 

2. How important is it to you now? 
   _____ High   _____  Low  _____ Not Important 

3. Do you have a preference for treating the residue (slash) created by harvesting?
    ___ No preference  ___ Complete removal   ___  Lop and Scatter  ___ Chipping

4. What approach do you prefer for maintaining openings and vistas?  
   _____ Mowing  _____ Brushing  _____ Herbicides

5. On a map of your property, locate any features or views (use arrows to indicate direction) that are important to you.  Using codes, label features such as:  existing views (EV); potential views (PV); undesirable views (UV); special features of the vegetation (SF) such as canopy effects, fall color, open areas, or old growth; trees  with unique character (UT) such as unusual shape or size, or unique species; and  cultural features (CF) such as stone walls, or old buildings.  Briefly describe those features here:

C.  Recreation
Place checkmarks in the table to indicate the importance of various recreational activities to you, your family, and your visitors. Also indicate the season(s) of the year used most for each activity.

*Please Explain:

D.  Wood Products
This section distinguishes between managing wood products for sale and those for your own use. If you want to do both, fill out both sections.

Managing Wood Products For Sale

1. Have you ever sold sawlogs, pulp, or firewood?

2. Do you expect to have these products to sell within 5 years?   If yes, is some of it saw timber(>11 inch diameter)? 

3. Do you prefer making one large sale _____, or making smaller sales periodically      _____? 

4. Is there any logging practice you will not allow (If yes, explain)? 

5. Have you ever sold tree products other than timber, such as Christmas trees or wreaths, fence posts, maple syrup or sugar (If yes, explain)? 

6. Do you expect to have such products to sell within 5 years?  

7. Have you ever done any pre-commercial forestry work, such as thinning or pruning? 

8. Are you willing to thin or prune to increase the future value of your woodlot?

Managing Wood Products For Your Own Use

1. If you want firewood, indicate the amount needed and when.  

2. If you want lumber, indicate the type and amount needed, and when. 

3. If there are any other products you want, indicate the type and amount needed, and when.

E.  Wildlife
Wildlife means different things to different people. The more specific you can be the easier it will be to direct your management efforts. This section is designed to determine your interest in and use of wildlife species that may live on your land. Complete these tables, and use your responses to determine your wildlife goals and objectives.

*Please Explain

*Please Explain

1. Describe any wildlife management you have done in the past, or plan to do in the near future?

 

 

4. Other comments or ideas you have about the use and management of you land.

 

 

Catherine Elliott, Sustainable Living & Wildlife Specialist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension