Forestry Services

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While arboriculture is the art and science of caring for individual trees, Forestry is the art and science of caring for groups of trees, or forests. Only an individual with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry can accurately call him/herself a forester. Forestry takes into account the whole ecosystem, the relationship between plants, animals, fungi, water and people. Urban Forestry looks at this relationship in the city, town or other developed setting.

URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY PROGRAMS

An urban forest is simply a forest in an urban area. Like a natural forest there is a functioning ecosystem very present that includes things like soil, trees and wildlife. However in this ecosystem, people and buildings with all the associated bi-products are key players.

In this ecosystem trees function to shade buildings and streets, which reduce energy costs. They also help clean the air, which makes our bodies healthier. They add beauty and character to otherwise ordinary buildings and streets. Trees provide numerous benefits to our communities. These benefits add up to dollars, both in savings and added value.

Unfortunately many communities do not have the luxury of a staff forester. It is still vital that good forestry decisions are made so the community remains safe, beautiful and sustainable. Maier Forest and Tree can help in several ways. As a consultant, we can first assist in developing a forest management plan. This would involve a tree inventory and a tree risk assessment as listed below. We can also develop specifications and/or administer contracts for planting, pruning or removal of trees, education and staff training, and involvement in community forestry awareness programs such as Arbor Day.

• Tree Risk Management Programs

  • Where trees and people coexist, trees must be monitored closely. Their towering form can become the very thing that ruins property or injures people. Communities need to know which trees are more likely to fail or cause other problems. Balancing the goals of public safety with a healthy urban forest is extremely complex and should only be done by a trained Forester. A Tree Risk Management program should be incorporated into every phase of a community's forestry program; from planning to planting to pruning to removal.

• Tree Inventory

  • The first step involved in managing is to find out what you have. For a community forest, this is done through a tree inventory. At a very minimum, this inventory tells the number, species, size and condition of your trees. Maier Forest and Tree can perform this inventory on a software that is compatible with other city planning software. This information can be used in planning and/or in the daily operations of tree and landscape crews.

• Disease Management

  • Disease management is important in making the forest sustainable. If left unmanaged, diseases can devastate a community forest. This was very evident in the 70's and 80's with the rapid spread of Dutch Elm Disease. Those communities that had management programs still have beautiful elms left today on the boulevards and in the parks. What we don't know is what disease will be next. Like inventory and risk management, disease management needs to be incorporated into the planting and maintenance programs.

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• Tree Preservation during Construction

  • As a community grows, there is inevitably construction around trees. A plan needs to be in place to protect those trees, both on the boulevards and in forest developments. If there is no plan, trees will be lost and many dollars will needlessly be thrown away removing trees that could survive if a preservation plan is in place.

• Native Area Management

  • Native areas are becoming more and more popular. We are realizing the value of these ecosystems, but also as budgets tighten, we need areas that require less intensive maintenance. Whether prairie, savannah, forest or wetland, we can assist in planning, developing, restoring and/or maintaining these areas.

• Small Woodland Management

  • Managing small woodlands is a unique urban service that taps into our traditional forestry expertise. We first take the goals that you have for your forest and we develop a plan based on sound forestry practices. We are then able to implement that plan in whatever way is necessary. Whether your goal is wildlife habitat, aesthetic beauty or even fuelwood production, we can make it happen.

RURAL / TRADITIONAL FORESTRY

Maier Forest and Tree is unique in that we have experience in traditional forest management. As a Consulting Forester we are able to help with a variety of tasks.

• Forest Stewardship Plans

  • To get specific results in a timely manner, a forest needs management. Maier Forest and Tree can assist by developing a forest management plan based on your goals for the timber. Your plan may include new plantings and reforestation, regular maintenance programs or scheduled harvests. We will draw on our professional skills and experience to prepare a sensible plan that will help protect the natural beauty, vigor, and economic stability of your timber for years to come.

• Small Woodland Management

  • Managing small woodlands is very different than managing a large tract of timber. Many times these woodlands have a much higher demand placed on them. However, we still take your goals and develop a plan based on sound forestry practices. We are then able to implement that plan in whatever way is necessary. Whether your goal is wildlife habitat, aesthetic beauty or even fuelwood production, we can make it happen.

• Timber Sale Administration

  • Because trees are a renewable resource, we are able to use timber harvests as a tool in managing our forests. What you need is someone who will look after your interests and who knows the science of forestry to make the decision as to which trees could go and which are needed to perpetuate the forest. Let Maier Forest and Tree administer your Timber Sale Contract. Your timber will be in good hands.

    Before we begin any timber sale, we meet with you to see what your goals and objectives are for the timber. This will help us decide which trees to mark. Once we have a clear understanding of what you want, we mark the trees to be sold. The trees are marked on all sides so they are easy to see, and once at the stump as a "security" spot. This lets you know after the tree is gone that it was, indeed, supposed to be cut. Each sale tree is scaled to determine merchantable board foot volume.

    We then prepare a package to send out to about 25 bonded timber buyers which contains all pertinent information, including number of trees marked, board feet, landowner's name, location of timber, and terms of the sale. We also include an aerial photo, plat map of the township and county.

    We give the buyers 2-3 weeks to look at the sale, and then conduct a sealed bid opening. After the bid opening, and assuming we have received an offer that is acceptable, we prepare a timber sale contract between the landowner and buyer, get it signed by both parties, collect the down payment for the landowner, and give you each a copy of the signed contract. Before the harvest actually begins, the landowner always receives full payment. We periodically check up on the logging and I'll make a final inspection after the logging is done to make sure all terms have been complied with.

• Timber Inventory

  • The first step involved in managing, is to find out what you have. In forest management this is done through a timber inventory. This inventory tells the density and volume of timber, the size, species and general quality of the trees. Maier Forest and Tree can perform this inventory and use the results to effectively manage your timber.

• Timber Appraisals

  • Whether you are selling or buying timber ground, or need help determining the current market value of your timber, a timber appraisal may be needed. Employ Maier Forest and Tree to provide this professional assistance and you will have the confidence that it is done accurately.

For more information call our office at 507-286-TREE to talk to one of our Certified Arborists.