I don't get some folks (Portland, Augusta: for sale, assessor, buyer)

[forest beekeeper]

I see that the property bordering mine on the North side is up for sale again. This time by a realtor.

13+ acres for treegrowth, mostly dry forest, the backside borders the river, however there is a stretch of swamp between the dry land and the river.

The last guy bought it two years ago and lives in Portland. He visited me, we had a nice talk and I showed him parts of his land that I could see from my land. He had great plans to take it all out of treegrowth status and build a seasonal house.

At one point I told him that he should just drop a hunting cabin back in there and don't worry about it. But he wanted to do it 'right', and take it all out of treegrowth.

So I suggested that he might want to take 1 acre out of treegrowth just for his driveway and house. But he insisted that to do it 'right' he would need to take it all out of treegrowth.

He had no plans on cutting the woodlot, he liked the wildlife habitate and all. But to use any part of the land and to keep other areas in treegrowth would be wrong. I told him that I would like to keep abreast of what he is doing either way.

He went to Augusta and met with the tax assessor to take it all out of treegrowth.

Then one day he came back and talked to me about it. He was very upset, as the tax assessor told him that taking it out of treegrowth would hit him with a penalty [which we both knew], and then the annual taxes on that land would be more than his original purchase price. He had only paid around $900 per acre just like I did.

He was very distraught at the prospects of paying the purchase price each year as taxes.

I suggested that he use the poperty for a seasonal retreat and put a one room cabin at the center of the dry land. Something small on skids and he could really enjoy the wildlife and forest setting, for a week at a time in the summers.

Today I saw a realtor's sign out front.

[Maineah]

You're right I don't understand it either! Why not leave most of it treegrowth and not have to pay the higher taxes on it? If you take a bit out of treegrowth for access and a cabin who is going to care. Are the treegrowth police going to come and blacklist you as a tree hater?
This makes no sense what so ever. It's you're land ...use it for something.

[mollysmiles]

forest did he end up taking it out of tree growth? that would be crazy! and IF he did, does that remain true for the next buyer as well, that it isn't in tree growth?

I don't get it either....

[forest beekeeper]

No, he did not take it out of treegrowth.

Once taken out of treegrowth, you immediately pay the penalty.

Then any future owner, would never see any benefit of the previous treegrowth status.

[mollysmiles]

ohhhhh....well, at least that's good that he didn't change the status! Hopefully someone will buy it who will appreciate it

[flycessna]

I know what you mean...............some people just don't want to listen to advice. I was curious though........taking an acre out of tree growth.....can you still put in a driveway through the tree growth part........and what about electricty.

Also.......if you sell off the trees......what happens?

whats the list price?

[McMar]

Originally Posted by flycessna

I know what you mean...............some people just don't want to listen to advice. I was curious though........taking an acre out of tree growth.....can you still put in a driveway through the tree growth part........and what about electricty.

Also.......if you sell off the trees......what happens?

whats the list price?

All questions I had as well Flycessna. Forest, you may end up with one of us CD'ers as your neighbor.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by flycessna

I know what you mean...............some people just don't want to listen to advice. I was curious though........taking an acre out of tree growth.....can you still put in a driveway through the tree growth part........

No. The portion of land with the driveway would have to be taken out of tree growth. Tree growth requires a management plan.

and what about electricty.

The poles and line would probably follow your driveway.

Also.......if you sell off the trees......what happens?

If you sell the logs from the land taken out of the management plan you're fine. If you have land in tree growth you have to have a management plan. If you don't follow the management plan your entire piece of land can be taken out of tree growth and you'll be charge the penalties. Your tax cut comes with a price - you have to live up to your agreement or you pay.

About a management plan - placing your land in tree growth doesn't mean you'll never harvest from or otherwise use the land. If you want to harvest trees you include that in the plan, and you follow the plan. You can change your plan. Forest management plans aren't permanent. They come up for re-evaluation so that you can make choices. Things happen. Maybe spruce budworms make a comeback and destroy your forest. The best thing at that time might be to clear the land and either let it regenerate naturally or replant. Maybe there's a fire and some of the charred trees can be used for something.

Steve (he's a licensed forester) says to be careful of tree growth and small acreage such as 13 acres. There's a minimum amount of acreage required in tree growth. Thirteen acres doesn't leave much wiggle room.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by flycessna

I know what you mean...............some people just don't want to listen to advice. I was curious though........taking an acre out of tree growth.....can you still put in a driveway through the tree growth part........and what about electricty.

Also.......if you sell off the trees......what happens?

whats the list price?

To manage land in Treegrowth you must have a Forestry Management Plan.

My Forestry Management Plan allows me to cut a driveway every forty feet if I wanted to, for proper access to the trees.

I can run a power line anywhere. The best [and most advised] is to go in 100' to a gravel RV pad and a power pole with a 200 amp breaker box. Then run underground to your home. This is what I did. I don't like overhead wires. But if you were running overhead wires between trees it could get 'bad' in a wind storm.

13.5 acres for $23,000, which is twice what it sold for two years ago.

Another property near by 21 acres is listing for $19,900.

And another 345 acres they are asking for $350 per acre.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

...
About a management plan - placing your land in tree growth doesn't mean you'll never harvest from or otherwise use the land. If you want to harvest trees you include that in the plan, and you follow the plan. You can change your plan. Forest management plans aren't permanent. They come up for re-evaluation so that you can make choices. Things happen. Maybe spruce budworms make a comeback and destroy your forest. The best thing at that time might be to clear the land and either let it regenerate naturally or replant. Maybe there's a fire and some of the charred trees can be used for something.

Steve (he's a licensed forester) says to be careful of tree growth and small acreage such as 13 acres. There's a minimum amount of acreage required in tree growth. Thirteen acres doesn't leave much wiggle room.

The minimum acreage for Treegrowth is 10 acres.

My Management Plan allows for me to grow Christmas trees, or firewood, or pulp wood, or fruit trees, or it can sit bare while nature decides to re-plant. I can determine at any time which acreage is doing which, within my plan.