Profit from Your Woods

Before you profit from it, plan it with a professional forester.

Credit: AFF

WISE USE OF A VALUABLE RESOURCE

Forests are a natural resource. Humans have always harvested wood products—timber, fuel, paper, and wild herbs—to meet their needs. And, until quite recently, this use did not threaten forests.

In the United States, the decline in forested acreage is not due to timber and pulp production: rather, it is because forests are cut down to clear land for other uses.  Mostly agriculture at first, and now, housing developments. The main reason that forests are destroyed is because they are commercially useless—when push comes to shove, the land is put to "better use".

Foresters have long believed that the best way to conserve forests is to make them financially productive. Traditionally, this has been done by harvesting wood and pulp. Today, markets are developing for other forest products and amenities, including biofuel, carbon credits, conservation easements, and water credits. The idea is that if standing forests are as financially lucrative as clear cut land, few people would choose to sell or clear their land.

The good news is that wise commercial use of forests does not harm them. In fact, harvesting trees intelligently can be good for the woodland ecosystem as it facilitates forest renewal and can help improve stand quality. Many public and private forests are sustainably managed to generate income for owners while maintaining the ecological and recreational benefits of forested land. In many cases, income from forest products is invested back into improving the land. Moreover, the government offers various incentive for forest conservation and sustainable forestry on private woodland.

This section will introduce you to some opportunities for generating income from your woods without compromising their recreational value and health.