Groups set up campaign to 'Call Before You Cut'

The program can help landowners learn how much their timber is worth.
COLUMBUS -- A new resource and consumer protection campaign encourages private woodland property owners to seek advice from a professional forester and to hire a master logger before harvesting trees on their land.
The "Call Before You Cut" campaign is coordinated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, Rural Action and The Ohio State University Extension.
The campaign features a toll-free number, (877) 424-8288, with a live operator providing quick answers to caller questions about how to find an accredited forester to help them with management options, and in sustaining the long-term health of their woodlots. Additional information, such as a list of certified Ohio Master Loggers and suggested timber sale contracts items are available on the "Call Before You Cut" Web site at callb4ucut.com.
"Woodland property owners can yield greater financial and long-term health benefits from their woods by seeking expert advice," said John Dorka, chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. "This project brings together resource and consumer protection experts to help landowners make informed decisions about their woods."
Surveys show a full 40 percent of woodlot owners have authorized harvesting on their lands in the last five years. Yet only 18 percent have sought the advice of a professional forester.
Signs of growth
"We are proud that the Division of Forestry and our partners have found value in a program that was developed by our Forest Advisory Board and implemented by our staff," said Jane Forrest Redfern, executive director of Rural Action.
Ohio's nearly 8 million acres of privately owned forested land makes up a third of the state's landscape. In the past 10 years, the number of forest landowners has grown from 320,000 to nearly 400,000.
"Woodland owners often don't have critical information before they contract someone to harvest their trees. Many don't know how much their timber is worth, how many trees will be cut, or even what their woods will look like after the job is done," said Dave Apsley, Ohio State University Extension forestry specialist. "Call Before You Cut directs them to professional foresters, trained loggers and other specialists who can provide them with information and technical assistance. This helps to protect their financial interests while conserving trees, wildlife, soil, water and other forest resources."