Timberlands can be manipulated to maximize their production.  How timberlands are to be manipulated depends on the landowners goals.  Managing timber for income is a long process that involves a lot of time and planning to maximize economic returns.  A Forest Stewardship Plan is a great way to begin managing your timberlands.  Having a professional forester evaluate the present condition of your forest, map, and create a detailed plan that outlines recommendations to reach specific goals can be tremendously valuable to anyone that owns timberland. Most all forest practices have long lasting effects.  This makes having a plan extremely important.  It takes a life time to create a mature forest but only a few days to completely change its productivity.  When timber is managed, it must be done right the first time.  Often it is the next generation that will suffer the consequences or reap the rewards.    

There are many different timber management practices available.  Tree planting and harvesting are just the two ends of having a productive timber management experience.  Prescribed burning, aerial spraying, crop tree release, cull tree removal and preharvest planning are just a few practices that may be done to manipulate your forest in a way that will help you achieve your forestry goals.  If you have any questions about your forestland or would like assistance in managing it, please contact a Virginia Forest Service area forester.