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As an illustration of the increased value of standing timber, Birkemeier gave this example:  "A good red oak tree 18 inches in diameter, containing 210 board feet would have sold for about $10.50 back in 1977.  If that tree had been properly managed over these two decades, it would be about 28 inches in diameter today and would now be worth  approximately $560.00!  Crop Tree Management is becoming very profitable for area forest owners."


  "We were all taught back in Forestry School that timber was mature when it was about 14-18 inches in diameter," continued the forester.  "When the supply was high and prices were low this may have been true, but this recent price explosion has changed the whole business of forestry.  We now are managing and marking timber just the opposite of the way we did just a few years ago.  Now we are growing our good  crop trees to at least 24-30 inches in diameter.  Anyone who sells good trees when they are just 14-22 inches in diameter is missing the tree's best value growth."

While most trees in a particular forest do not reach these high values, growing the better crop trees to their maximum value is becoming very popular with forest owners around the United States.  Birkemeier says Crop Tree Management should be done on a sustainable basis that continually improves the quality of a forest.

  Birkemeier feels strongly that when forest owners are treated fairly, obtain a good price for their harvest, get careful low damage logging, and see high utilization of all cut trees they will want to manage their timber in an active way.  As a landowner, farmer, and forester, Birkemeier encourages other forest owners to manage their timber crop to get the most return from the investment they have in  their land.

  Timber Management seminars for forest owners are being  offered at Timbergreen Farm in rural Spring Green the first Saturday of every month this fall.  "Forest owners need to make the important management decisions," concluded Birkemeier.  "Our seminars are for landowners to come and share ideas that work, with other landowners.  With good timber becoming more and more in demand, forest owners who can produce high quality logs in the future will reap a very profitable harvest." 



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