Kootenai Timber Exemption (sale, real estate, income)

[elousv]

In searching real estate, I have come across a couple of properties that state they have a timber exemption. I looked it up and found that you need at least 5 acres devoted to timber without improvements. What I don't quite understand though is the vague line
"landowners manage their timber as a crop that will be commercially harvested and sold (in part or whole) at some point in time". If anyone has some insight to what "manage" and "some point in time" means, please share it.

[Sage of Sagle]

You have to get a forestry survey, and you "set aside" acreage for timber growth. You get a break on your property taxes too. I would start with the county offices. I think the mills also have foresters working for them, maybe they freelance...

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

The state has foresters that will come out and do a forest management plan for free. They also have a lot of classes on timber management, disease and insect control, and will sell seedlings at a good discount.

If you manage using good practices for forest health you'll be in good shape with respect to a timber exemption. You can thin your property periodically, which will generally improve forest healty and earn you some income as well. The income from the sale of timber is taxed, it's a replacement for the reduced property taxes.

We're having issues with forest health, especially on federal land. Much of the land is too overgrown and dominated by non-climax species. They are suffering badly from disease, the potential for a devestating fire is high these days. There really needs to be more harvesting and thinning done, and replacement with species best suited for the sites.