AgEBB-MU CAFNR Extension
Green Horizons
Volume 25, Number 2
Spring 2021
Call Before You Cut
George Kipp, Missouri Department of Conservation Forester
Every forest landowner knows their land is one of their most valuable assets. A properly managed forest can generate income for generations, in addition to providing high quality hunting grounds, clean air, clean water, and numerous other ecosystem services. With spring turkey season wrapping up, many landowners have been out in their forests and have questions about what to do to achieve their goals. Others may have been contacted by a logger or have interest in clearing their land for pasture. Getting information about forest management and making long-term decisions that can affect a forest for decades is a daunting task, but there is help available.
The Missouri Department of Conservation has partnered with several other states to provide a hotline and website where non-industrial private landowners can get tailored information about forest management and timber harvesting. The Call Before You Cut hotline is available free-of-charge at http://callb4ucut.com/missouri/ or by calling (877) 564-7483. After contacting Call Before You Cut, landowners will receive a free information packet about forest management and timber harvest, and, if they own over 40 acres, a free consultation from a consulting forester.
Getting professional forest management advice is one of the best things a forest landowner can do for their woods. Professional foresters help a landowner take stock of their forest resources and develop a plan to sustainably manage timber harvests. A professional forester works with the logger and landowner to make sure a timber sale is conducted with all the best management practices in place. This ensures a healthy, sustainable forest now and for the future.