A brief review of timber management on private lands in California

Key words: 
• timberland management /
• private timberland /
• management plan /
• silviculture /
• California

Abstract: Private individuals and companies own 45 % of California's productive forestland . To harvest timber , these owners are required to have a licensed professional forester prepare detailed management plan that goes through extensive review by the state .Plans cost ＄6 000 ～ ＄12 000 and up , and may 6 or more months to prepare and go through review by the state .Forester'sdecisions are constrained by laws , stand conditions , economics , and the landowner's objectives .The Forest Practice Rules have detailed standards for selecting silvicultural systems and meeting post-harvest stocking .Factors considered in project feasibility include costs of plan preparation , tree marking , logging , administration , trucking , taxes , planting , and presence of any protected species .On many properties under 16 hectares, these costs exceed the revenues that can be generated from the standing timber . Important issues for California's forest landowners include an increasingly tight regulatory climate , high inheritance taxes , and extreme fire danger resulting from fire suppression .As the public demands aesthetically pleasing forests as well as forest products , California is faced with importing much of its wood products supply .Within the framework of existing laws , foresters balance ecology , economy , and public opinion to provide for the diverse values of California's populations .Table 2 References2