Are you wondering how to find a forester in Maine? Or are you trying to accomplish the real trick: finding one who caters to the specific upkeep and maintenance of your land needs? At Tall Pines Forest Management, we get inquiries all the time from landowners like you trying to find just the right fit for your needs.  We’ve put together this guide to help teach landowners how to find a forester in Maine. 

When beginning your search for a Forester, it’s important that you find a company that you can trust and rely on. There are a few factors that you should consider when finding a Forester that’s right for you. But first, let’s explore what a forester does and what makes them qualified to be a forester.

What Is a Forester?

Foresters oversee, manage and use knowledge of the past, assessment of the present, and plans for the future to maintain, protect and preserve the forest. Working alongside other field professionals such as hydrologists, wildlife biologists, Geologists, Entomologists, Soil Scientists, and more, a Forester’s job is to communicate and develop plans that inspire and uphold a well-balanced wilderness for both public and private areas. A Professional Forester’s skills span a variety of responsibilities and specializations. The most common areas are:

• Wilderness Protection: Protecting wildlands from being overdeveloped, polluted, and destroyed.
• Habitat Enhancement: Improving the habitat in order to benefit the wildlife.
• Fire Management: Using methods of prescribed fires and selectively removing trees and other objects in order to reduce the risk of wildfire.
• Timberland Improvement: The Process of maintaining the growth of important trees in the forest. There are many ways to ensure this growth, and some of the tactics used include thinning, invasive species removal/management, cull tree removal, crop tree release, and regeneration openings.
• Timber Sales: Foresters will assist landowners in evaluating their land and finding potential buyers for the sale and negotiation of their timber.
• Tree Nursery: The management of the operations that includes the soil, planting procedures, irrigation, the use of fertilizers, and pest control.
• Public Recreation: The development of plans that inspire and uphold a well-balanced wilderness for both public and private areas.

A Qualified Forester has (at least) a Bachelor’s Degree and in-depth knowledge pertaining to the foundations of chemistry, biology, environmental science, and GIS Mapping. GIS Mapping is the use of geographic information systems. This technology is used to create detailed maps of different timberland properties. More specifically, this would include information on the species of the tree, the size, and the location. Accreditation is given by the SAF (Society of American Foresters).

The Benefits of Working with a Forester

There are many benefits when it comes to working with a forestry management service like Tall Pines. Firstly, the conservation and management of the Forest. Protecting and maintaining the health and wellness of the forest is the forester’s top priority. Using advanced and mastered knowledge and skill set, Tall Pines is able to assess and create a plan for any type of timberland. 

Wildlife and wildlife habitats are also important and protected factors when it comes to the improvement of the land. A large portion of the upkeep of a Maine forest includes reforestation and regeneration. Reforestation is the process of planting more trees in areas that are becoming more sparse. Regeneration is the growth and survival of seeds and saplings after larger trees expire. Knowing when a tree is either enhancing the environment and wildlife habitat around it or negatively affecting it is also a task of a Forester.

The harvesting and sales of Timber, especially in Maine, is a large portion of the help that a Forester can provide. They begin by assessing the land and assisting the landowner in making educated decisions based on the species of the tree, its size, and its location in order to negotiate a qualified sale and or preservation of the tree itself. Overall, the goal of timberland sales is to, most importantly, help the landowners sell their timber. Tall Pines ensures that this is done in a manner that upholds not only the financial goals but also the objectives that the landowner is proposing for the land.

Overall, the goal of timber marketing is to help landowners sell their timber in a way that maximizes the value of their resources and achieves their financial and management objectives. 

How To Find a Forester In Maine

When it comes to taking the first steps toward finding a Forester in Maine, the best way to start is by searching online. Tall Pines can be found simply by searching for Maine Forestry Services on any search engine. The Maine Forest Service website has a plethora of Forestry information that is immensely convenient. The Professional Organization for Foresters is also another serviceable option for an online search platform. Online directories are also a very informational resource for finding a Forester in Maine near you.

Asking for referrals from friends, family, and colleagues within your area is also a beneficial strategy for finding a reliable Forestry Management Service. Maine communities are tied together by the recommendation of word of mouth. This could become useful when asking around local logging or sawmill companies as well as real estate agents and land developers that have needed to utilize Forestry Services previously. 

Finally, checking with local government agencies like the Maine Forest Service and the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry will also be helpful tools when setting out to find a Forester for you.

Questions To Ask When Hiring a Forester

Asking the right questions can always be a tough task when we don’t know what question to ask. Foresters often have extensive services and hands-on customer support to assist with any questions that a landowner may have about their land. Some questions that would be beneficial to ask are:

• What kind of experience and qualifications do your foresters have?
• What kind of services does your forestry management team offer?
• What type of fees and payment methods should I expect?
• How do I communicate with your team? 
• What is your availability to work on my property?
• Can you provide references and portfolios available for my viewing?

Working With Tall Pines Forestry Management

Here at Tall Pines Forestry Management Services, we take pride in helping our clients achieve the goals they have for their land and educating those who have never used our services before. With the extensive skill set and collegiate education that a Maine Forester has executed, finding a qualified Forester that fits the needs of your land has never been more available than it is right now. If, after reading this, you find yourself in a position to realize that forestry services might be of service to you, you can find us at Tall Pines.