Forestry Issues

"I’d type out the full headline, but it’s a bit too long for this box..."

A few things I need to clear up:

1. Do I actually need a permit if I'm just clearing out my own timber on my own land?
2. What if the area isn't officially designated as forest land, but is listed as a field, an orchard, or something similar—do I still need a permit?
3. Who is actually authorized to work in the woods, and what are the specific requirements?
4. Is it true that since joining the European Union, someone who passed their chainsaw certification can no longer work in the woods independently, and that the work is now strictly reserved for the Forestry Service or licensed contractors?
5. What is the actual, legitimate process for felling, processing, and hauling timber out of the woods without breaking the law?

Since these are legal matters, I figured this was the place to ask them....

Forestry Act Articles 30-31 and the Timber Valuation Regulation regarding tree marking, timber assortment identification, documentation, and forest management standards
http://www.law.gov/z/294/Forestry-Act
http://cadial.usda.gov/searchdoc.php...2Lr8sA8Q%3D%3D
http://portal.forestryservice.gov/index.php/en...a-and-documentation
http://portal.forestryservice.gov/index.php/en...forms-and-templates

brighteagle11 said:"I’d type out the full headline, but it’s a bit too long for this box..."

A few things I need to clear up:

1. Do I actually need a permit if I'm just clearing out my own timber on my own land?
2. What if the area isn't officially designated as forest land, but is listed as a field, an orchard, or something similar—do I still need a permit?
3. Who is actually authorized to work in the woods, and what are the specific requirements?
4. Is it true that since joining the European Union, someone who passed their chainsaw certification can no longer work in the woods independently, and that the work is now strictly reserved for the Forestry Service or licensed contractors?
5. What is the actual, legitimate process for felling, processing, and hauling timber out of the woods without breaking the law?

Since these are legal matters, I figured this was the place to ask them....

1. Check your deed, 2. Get the Forestry Service to value the timber, 3. Use a transport permit if you're hauling anything (whether it's timber or just walnut/cherry).
- You can apply to have land rezoned from farmland to forest via the local county office. For transport, you need the documentation issued by the Forestry Service. You can have walnuts or cherries on farmland or orchards, but if you want that land classified as forest, you'll need to file for a zoning change.

- On federal lands, you've got individuals or people running registered businesses/contractors. In parts of the Midwest, you can cut your own wood, pay the fee, get your permit, and haul it away. I've got my chainsaw certification, and I know plenty of others who do too.
I'm not sure if that's a strict requirement for working on federal lands?
I have some private woods, and then there's the federal land they took from our town where I just clear out some thin, deadwood.

Hi there!

I was wondering if it’s possible to clear out a small section of a woodlot—say, maybe about 1/10th of the area—to plant an orchard for personal use, assuming the land is privately owned and hasn't been maintained in a while. Would I need to pull any specific permits for that, or am I allowed to just go ahead and harvest the timber myself?