Landowner Prepared Forest Management Document

The intent of this template is to help you create a management document outlining your activities so
you can provide this to the County Appraisal District (CAD) if they request a Timber Management Plan
to qualify for timber-use valuation. We strongly encourage you to contact a professional forestry
consultant in your area to assist you with a plan fitting your own needs, goals as well as a range of
other services. If you have not already done so, you will also need to complete and submit the 1-D-1
Application Form provided by the CAD with this plan as well as other supporting documents.
Submission of these forms does NOT guarantee the CAD will grant you the special (Timberland)
appraisal.

Note: If you already have a current forest management plan completed by your consulting forester you
should be able to submit it with a completed 1-D-1 application to your local county appraisal district.
There would be no need to move forward with this form.

OWNER INFORMATION
Owner’s Name: ________________________________________
Mailing Address: _______________________________________
City, State & Zip Code: __________________________________
Phone Number: _______________________________________
Tract Name: __________________________________________

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION
County: ____________________________
Legal Description: __________________________________________________________________
Address if available: ________________________________________________________________
Location of Property (distance and direction from nearest town, specify highway/road numbers):
________________________________________________________________________________

Total Acreage: _____________________

Approximate acreage by forest type (Acreage & timber type will need to be validated by CAD for
appraisal purposes):
Hardwood Timber: ______ Acres Pine timber: ______ Acres
(Definition for above: 2/3rd or 66% of acreage dominated by either Hardwood or Pine species)
Mixed timber:______ Acres
(Pine and hardwood each make up more than 1/3rd or 33% of the stand but no one dominates)
Other acreage including non-forested (describe type): _____________________________________

PLANNED LAND USE (Check all the planned management uses of the property)
 Recreation
 Timber Management
 Wildlife Management *
 Future Development
 Cattle Production
 Other; Explain ___________________________________________________________

* If the primary use is for Wildlife Management, The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Management Plan
Template may be required.
(http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdforms/media/pwd_1046_w7000_wildlife_management_plan.pdf).
If use is for Timber Management check all that apply:
 I have sold timber in the past
 I plan to sell timber in the future
 I employ a professional forestry consultant

I am a member of these organizations:

 Tree Farm
Tree Farm Number (If available): ___________
 County Forest Landowner Association
 Texas Forestry Association

I have received cost-share assistance for reforestation or timber stand improvement:

 Yes
 No

If yes, please check program below:

 Texas Reforestation Foundation (TRe)
 Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)
 Forest Landowner Enhancement Program (FLEP)
 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
 Texas Forest Service Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program
 Other : _____________________________________________

All or portions of the property are enrolled in one or more of these conservation programs:
 Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)
 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
 Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP)
 Other: _____________________________________________

Supplying the above information is voluntary, but helps to document that you are actively engaged in
timber management. The Texas Constitution permits timber-use valuation only if the property and its
owner meet specific requirements defining timber use. Land will not qualify simply because it has
timber standing on it. In addition, timberland that is used principally for aesthetic or recreational
purposes (other than wildlife management) will not qualify. The Texas Tax Code, Section 23.72, sets
the standards for determining whether land qualifies. Each county appraisal district has different
requirements. Contact your county appraiser for questions about their requirements.

Included in this plan are links to websites or contact information for the Texas A&M Forest Service and
other resource agencies and professionals.
 Forest Management Documentation

The following activities are common forest management activities for timberland property that you can
implement to meet your goals. They are guided by the principle that every treatment needs to be one
that improves the overall quality and composition of the forest. Depending on the condition of your
property, you may not need to implement all of the practices. As outlined in the Manual for the
Appraisal of Timberland, the Chief Appraiser should recognize the difference among timber properties
and operations and assess the eligibility based on the total efforts. Complete the applicable bolded
portions by checking the appropriate boxes and providing details to outline your upcoming and
completed activities for the property.

Thinning Harvest
A thinning harvest is an activity or treatment in which a portion of the standing timber is removed to
promote continued growth on the remaining timber. During this harvest a portion of the poorer quality
trees in the stand will be removed to release additional resources (sunlight, water, and nutrients) to
benefit the residual trees. This release of resources allows the remaining trees to continue growing in
an unimpeded condition that favors overall forest health and maximum growth. Well managed forests
also provide good wildlife habitat and forage throughout the life of the stand.

When considering or conducting any harvesting treatment, it is highly encouraged that you work with a
professional consulting forester (see link provided in this plan) to assist you in marketing and managing
the harvest. Many of the common mistakes in poor marketing and mismanagement of the stand may
be eliminated or minimized by working with a professional consulting forester to help guide you on the
harvest. Harvests on younger stands of timber will yield primarily pulpwood while subsequent harvests
of more mature stands typically will be for more valuable forest products.
 I am planning a thinning harvest Year planned _________
 I recently conducted a thinning harvest Year conducted _________

Additional details
____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Vegetation Control
Anytime sunlight is able to reach the forest floor, vegetation quickly fills in to utilize the additional
sunlight. Excessive or unwanted vegetation can decrease forest vigor, negatively impact forest health,
or create conditions that make the forest vulnerable to damaging wildfires. Monitoring how much
vegetation fills in on more open areas may be necessary considering what your ultimate goal is for the
property. If vegetation control does become necessary you will need to consider one or more methods
for controlling the brush: Prescribed Burning, Mechanical Treatments (mowing/mulching) or Herbicide
Applications are examples.
 I am planning vegetation control Year planned _________
 I have completed vegetation control Year completed _________

Additional details
____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________
Final Harvest & Replant
The primary determining factor on the timing of final harvests is based on landowner objectives. Often
stands that are ready for final harvest may either have poor quality growing stock and are cut to plant
improved growing stock or have simply reached maturity. A professional consulting forester can help
guide you on market timing and can also look for specific markets to sell the products you have
available for harvest. After a final harvest, the next generation forest needs to be considered.
Assistance is available after the harvest to help you in determining site preparation needs as well as
reforestation activities that will need to take place to successfully regenerate your timber stand. You
will want to plan reforestation activities in conjunction with your final harvest as treatments can be very
costly to regenerate a property that has been left idle for several years.
 I am planning a final harvest Year planned _________
 I have completed a final harvest Year completed _________
 Regeneration accomplished Year accomplished _________

Additional details
____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Natural Regeneration & Planting Seedlings

The decision to plant trees on a site is based on meeting landowner objectives considering the size
and number of trees per acre present if any and/or the need to more fully stock a stand. Planting
seedling (artificial regeneration) is often done following a final harvest when reforestation costs are
usually lowest or may also occur when converting open land into timber production. Natural
regeneration is done by utilizing the existing trees on a site to seed in the area with new trees or by
allowing areas previously occupied by hardwood to sprout from the stumps of recently cut trees
(coppice regeneration). There is less control over spacing as well as what species/quality of trees
appear using natural regeneration methods. Planting seedlings allows for trees to be planted at a set
spacing and the species can be selected to best suit the owner’s objectives. Tree planting usually
takes place during the winter months, while site preparation activities occur during the summer and fall
seasons. Tree planting costs can vary widely based on the treatments necessary as well as the
acreage involved. Larger acreages will tend to cost less per acre to treat compared to smaller acres
due to economy of scale. Either a consulting forester or the Texas A&M Forest Service can assist
landowners coordinate with planting vendors and site preparation vendors to get properties replanted
following a harvest. If you decide to move forward with tree planting on the property, please contact
TFS or a consulting forester should you need assistance with planning your planting operation.
 I am planning to accomplish regeneration Year planned _________
 I have completed regeneration Year completed _________

Naturally regenerated with: OR

 Pine
 Hardwood
 Pine and Hardwood Mix

Planted the following seedlings:

 Pine seedlings
 Hardwood seedlings
 Pine and Hardwood Mix
 Additional details
____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Firebreaks
The establishment of a firebreak around the perimeter of the property is the best protection for
preventing a wildfire from entering your property. The firebreak is a fuel break where combustible
material is plowed or removed from an area wide enough to access with equipment. This “break” in
the fuel prevents fire from easily traveling across the line onto your property. It also has the added
benefit of allowing access around the perimeter of your property to emergency response crews if a fire
does occur. Private dozer contractors provide this service either at a cost per acre or on an
established per mile rate.
 I am planning to install firebreaks Year planned _________
 I recently installed firebreaks Year completed _________

Additional details
____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Boundary Maintenance
Clearly identifying the boundaries of your forested property is a good management practice that helps
define your property from neighboring tracts. There are always opportunities during harvesting and
other management activities to improve and more clearly define the boundaries with firebreaks and
clearing operations. It would be in your best interest to maintain all lines with purple paint as the State
of Texas recognizes purple paint as a no trespassing indicator. Periodic monitoring around the
perimeter of your properties is a wise precaution to prevent/discover trespass.
 I am planning boundary maintenance Year planned __________
 I recently conducted boundary maintenance Year completed __________

Additional details
____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________
Road Maintenance
All roads will eventually require maintenance. Factors that affect the frequency of road maintenance
include: years since installation, how frequently the road is used, the materials used to construct the
road, the slope and design of the road and many other factors. It should be kept in mind that roads are
the largest contributor of sediment and degradation to water quality from forested property. In general,
water from the roadway needs to be turned out into the woods where the sediment can filter out. Often
road ditches deliver the runoff, filled with sediment, directly into the stream at the road crossing. As
access roads deteriorate they will need maintenance activities that prevent erosion and also keep
water from running directly down slope on the roadway. The Texas A&M Forest Service has a Best
Management Practices handbook available that outlines good road maintenance practices.

 I am planning road maintenance Year planned _________

 I recently conducted road maintenance Year conducted _________
 Additional details
__________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

SUGGESTED MEMBERSHIPS:
Texas Forestry Association
Membership in TFA provides monthly newsletters, informative websites, workshops, seminars and
training events to keep members up to date on current legislative efforts, management advancements,
technology updates and tax issues. Membership is $50 per year. Texas Forestry Association, P.O.
Box 1488, Lufkin, TX 75902-1488 (936-632-TREE) or [email protected]

Local Forest Landowners Association

The local forest landowner association gives members opportunities to learn about issues that directly
affect forest landowners in their local county. They usually hold 3-4 meetings per year and many also
provide a newsletter to keep members aware of current topics in forestry. Membership information can
be obtained from your local Texas A&M Forest Service office.

Additional Supporting Information (Optional)

Attach any other supporting information such as maps or photographs that you believe to be relevant
to this forest management plan.

I, ________________________________(print name) certify that the above information provided by

me in this document is to the best of my knowledge and belief, true and complete.

____________________________ ___________________
Landowner Signature Date

REMEMBER, Your timber-use valuation is a determination made by your local County Appraisal
District and all decisions will ultimately be made by the appraisal district. TFS does not provide any
documentation to the appraisal district on your behalf so you will need to provide the CAD with all
required documents. If you have any questions regarding your property valuations you will need to
contact the appraisal district directly. If you have questions concerning the completion of this form
please contact your local Texas A&M Forest Service office.
 Other Links for Agencies and Natural Resource Professionals

List of Consultant Foresters:

http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/uploadedfiles/frd/referral.pdf

List of Forestry Service Related Vendors:

http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/uploadedfiles/FRD/VendorList.pdf

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS):

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service

101 South Main
Temple, TX 76501
Phone: 254-742-9800
FAX: 254-742-9819

www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov

Texas Parks and Wildlife:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Texas Agrilife Extension Service:

agrilifeextension.tamu.edu

Texas Forest Service Web Page:

http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/default.aspx