What Is A Woodlot? Everything You Need To Know About Woodlot in ME & NH

If you own a woodlot, follow this guide to know what you can use it for and how to plan for it.

 

If you’re thinking about buying forested land in Maine or New Hampshire, or you already do, there are many things you should know if you plan on using that land as a woodlot and harvesting timber.  At Day Logging, we want to help more landowners to make the most of their land with safe, sustainable timber harvests.  Understanding various laws, regulations, and best practices is essential to making the right decisions.  We’ll walk you through some of the general and specific information you should have to understand and manage your woodlot properly.

What Is A Woodlot?

A woodlot is a piece of forest or woodland that can be used for recreational purposes or small-scale production of forest products, usually timber. Woodlots are sometimes also called coppice, timber lots, wood lots, or woodland. Efforts are productively using woodlots often involve harvesting maple sap for the production of maple syrup, raising and harvesting pulpwood, construction quality wood, Christmas trees, firewood, or other in-demand forest products.

For recreational uses, woodlot is used for animal and bird watching, fishing, hiking, hunting, wildflower appreciation, and other outdoor activities. Owning timberland is a rewarding experience because they reap the benefits of their hard work.

The distinguishing fact about timber lots is that, unlike the whole forestland, a parcel size land is only viable for small-scale harvesting instead of a full-scale harvest. This makes woodlot only suitable for private investments by individuals. Nonetheless, a good forestland management plan and practices can create a sustainable source of income and production.

Maine & New Hampshire Forest Stats

The State of Maine is 90% forested, with 17.7 million acres of land covered by forests, of which 250,000 acres are small woodlots owned by individuals, though this number fluctuates. Woodlot ownership ranges from one acre of land to 1000 acres of land. This amounts to nearly 6.2 million acres or 35% of forestland in Maine.

The state of New Hampshire is 81% forested, with 4.8 million acres of forested land, of which 52% (2.5 million acres) are owned privately by families and individuals.  

Where Do Woodlots Occur?

Woodlots can be found almost anywhere in Maine and New Hampshire outside of urban areas.  With the long history of logging in these states, comparatively few areas are zoned such that they restrict woodlots entirely, compared to many other states. They’re most common away from the coast, where the population density is lower, and dwellings are more likely to be built on large land parcels that the landowners harvest periodically.

What Information You May Need

Before you take any forestland management action, you should make certain the boundary lines of your woodlot are known and clearly marked. Harvesting a neighbor’s trees or a tree on the property line is a crime and can result in significant fines, making clear property lines a must.  Here are some tips for this:

● Check your property deed. It'll contain a description of property boundaries and corners. If you don't have the deed, you can find it in your county's courthouse or at your town hall.

● You should hire a surveyor to ensure your property lines are updated, accurate, and marked properly.  Once the lines are marked, you can maintain these markings yourself, but a professional should conduct the initial survey to ensure accuracy.

● You can use a program like google earth to get a general idea of your land from above or hire a professional forester or logger, who will have access to higher quality, more accurate maps and models to plan out the management of your woodlot.

● If you want to assess the woodlot, at least look at a recent topographic map of your area. It'll show you landmarks, elevation changes, and streams that can help you to understand what’s on your land.

● Look for a soil map of your area. You can typically acquire this from the local conservation district. You'll need this information to learn about the types of tree species your land is ideal for when creating a management plan.

Woodlot Management – Legacy Planning

As a woodlot owner, you’re the defacto steward of your land; planning what will happen to your land when you're gone is a part of this responsibility. Both Maine and New Hampshire encourage private landowners to map out the future for their land for the generations to come.

For this reason, your woodlot management plan should include legacy planning. That said, estate planning is difficult and calls for discussion among families. The University of New Hampshire guides landowners regarding legacy protection:

● Involve families in decision-making about land.

● Details on types of ownership such as trusts and limited partnerships.

● Tax considerations for private landowners.

● Create a plan for the permanent use of the land.

Maine forest regulations are also stringent and require complete compliance with a whole host of laws. Both states require landowners to properly identify property lines.  This is necessary before you hire a local logging company.

Woodlot Plans

You need a comprehensive plan to ensure successful woodlot management.  A comprehensive plan will help you make accurate production predictions, understand the current value, and determine how best to invest in increasing the value of your timber lot. Once you have a clear baseline, you can better monitor your progress on the goals you want to achieve. A woodlot is a long-term investment, so ensure your expectations are aligned with the reality of your woodlot’s productivity.

You'll likely need the services of a professional forester or logging firm to guide you through this process. Day Logging is a team of reputable, certified master loggers who can connect you with the right personnel and assist you in woodlot management planning and even selling timber. Reach out to them today to get started!