Overview of Fauquier County Forests
Fauquier County offers the PDR programs to help landowners preserve their land, with a focus on benefiting farmers. The Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program allows farmers to sell the development rights of their land to the County for $60,000 per right, while still maintaining ownership and agricultural use.
Forest Management Planning
The first step toward a healthy, productive woodland is a forest management plan. The Virginia Department of Forestry has foresters in each county of Virginia to provide management plans, free of charge. A forest management plan provides several tools for the landowner. First and foremost is an inventory of species composition, age, growth rate, and merchantability. Multiple use is an important feature of the plan, and includes wildlife habitat development, aesthetics, and recreation. Recommendations are also included to protect water quality and sensitive natural areas during logging operations. The final plan will include a map showing timber type and location, land uses, natural features, and drainage. It is important that landowners establish their management plan before harvesting timber.
Timber Harvesting and Sales Assistance
Prior to a harvesting operation, The VDF foresters provide information on methods of selling timber, suggestions for timber sales contracts, and lists of consulting foresters for timber valuation and sale administration. VDF foresters also provide assistance in replanting.
Services Offered by Consulting Foresters
Private Consulting Foresters provide several valuable, fee-based services for landowners. These services include appraising the timber to be sold, preparing the contract and conducting the sale, and monitoring the logging operation. In most instances, retaining a consulting forester will ensure the highest return for the timber and the sale with fewest problems for the landowner. A list of consulting foresters is included in this section, following the VDF publication ‘How To Sell Timber’.
Virginia Cooperative Extension Services
Virginia Cooperative Extension offers many services to forest landowners. Local Extension Agents assist with tree species identification, insect and disease diagnosis, and pesticide recommendations. State level and area forest specialists conduct forestry tours, workshops, field days, and demonstrations for a variety of forestry related topics.
Timber Buying Companies
There are dozens of timber buying companies that serve the northern part of Virginia. Some companies cut any type of timber, while others specialize in hardwoods, pine, or pulpwood. A list of timber buying companies is included in this section. Landowners must work with their local forester or consulting forester to select a timber buying company. Most companies have a minimum acreage or number of board feet, which can present a problem to owners of small tracts. There are also very few buyers who will be interested in cutting just one or two trees. Some sawmills may purchase certain types of wood that a landowner cuts and delivers himself, but details must be arranged in advance.
Small Tract and Selective Cutting Considerations
Generally speaking, most consulting foresters work with jobs starting in the 8-10 acre range and larger. Most small jobs are contracted directly between the landowner and timber buyer. Landowners who are interested in selective cutting of hardwoods must have a sizable amount of timber in the 20 inch and above diameter range. Demand and market conditions fluctuate, so landowners thinking of a timber cutting operation should stay in contact with their local Virginia Department of Forestry personnel.
Additional Resources and Contact Information
Following is contact information for additional resources:
The Virginia Department of Forestry has a website at http://www.dof.state.va.us/. This site contains most of the publications in this section, as well as numerous other publications and information for forest landowners.
The Fauquier County Forester is
Joe Rossetti
VA Department of Forestry
675 Frost Avenue,
Warrenton, VA. 20186
Phone: 540-347-6358
FAX: 540-347-6359
More Info:
How To Sell Timber
Consulting Forester List – Virginia Department of Forestry
Timber Buyer List – Virginia Department of Forestry
Fauquier County Harvest Volume and Value 1986-2000 – Virginia Department of Forestry
Timber Buyers
Fauquier County contains over 200,000 acres of forested land. These forested areas play an important role in the fabric of the county. They provide the backbone of the scenic beauty the county is famous for, they protect water resources, provide wildlife habitat, and offer numerous avenues for outdoor recreation.
In addition, the woodlands provide timber, firewood, and other products that benefit the county economically. During the 1990’s, approximately one million dollars of forest products were harvested annually. As the population of Fauquier County has increased over the years, many of the large, forested areas have remained pretty much intact but are now owned by many more individuals in numerous smaller tracts.
Many of these new landowners are interested in managing their woodlands and generating income. It has become apparent in recent years that there is no one clearinghouse of information to assist landowners. Several agencies have expertise in differing areas. Among the local agencies working with landowners to manage forestlands are the Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the Fauquier County Agricultural Development Office. In addition, there are numerous private consulting foresters and timber harvesting companies that serve the area.
Most of the interest shown by landowners is for growing or cutting traditional timber products. However, there is still some interest in growing Christmas trees and other horticultural crops. And, in recent years, there has been a steady increase in the number of people who want to grow or harvest alternative forest products. These products are generally referred to as non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and include such items as mushrooms, ginseng, wild herbs, and decorative plants.