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Forest Management Basics

You don't have to own hundreds of acres to manage your woodland. Acreage sizedoesn't determine whether your woods can benefit from management—your goals do. Whether you own a few acres or several hundred, thoughtful management can help you maintain healthy forests and achieve the outcomes that matter to you.

Start With Your Goals

Before deciding what to do in your woods, determine what you want from your property. Your goals might include:

  • Timber: Growing and harvesting quality trees and generating income.

  • Wildlife: Providing food, cover, and habitat for wildlife.

  • Recreation: Creating opportunities for hiking, hunting, birdwatching, or simply enjoying your woods.

  • A combination: Many landowners want to manage for timber, wildlife, and recreation at the same time.

There is no single right way to manage a forest. Your goals should guide your decisions.

Develop a Management Plan

Once you have identified your goals, write them down and develop a management plan—or prescription—for your property. A plan provides a roadmap for what you want to accomplish, what management activities are needed, and when they should occur. It can also help you avoid making short-term decisions that may conflict with your long-term goals.

Your plan should consider the current condition of your woods, including tree species and health, wildlife habitat, soils, water resources, access, and other important features. It should then identify specific actions that will help you reach your goals.

Get Professional Assistance

You don't have to develop a plan on your own. Foresters, forestry technicians, and wildlife biologists can help you evaluate your property and develop management recommendations. A professional can help you understand what you have, what is possible, and which management practices best fit your goals.

Your management plan is not set in stone. Forests change, and so can your goals. Review your plan periodically and update it as needed.

Free Woodland Management Worksheet

A worksheet can be a helpful first step in thinking about your property and identifying your priorities. The Maine Forest Service's Woodland Management Plan worksheet is a free resource that includes questions about your property, wildlife, recreation, timber, and other landowner goals.

Woodland Management Plan Worksheet – Maine Forest Service

Start with your goals. Then develop a plan to make them happen.

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