Another Tree Growth question... (leasing, unemployment, schools)

[Maine Writer]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 7th generation
Tree growth is a good long term investment. My last plan saved me $500 per year. A forester must renew it every 10 years. With his license on the line, you must be in compliance or he will not sign it.

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Each forester is different.

But laws aren't different from forester to forester. I don't know of a forester who's going to break the laws and sign your plan. The small fee isn't worth losing his or her license over.

However from among those I have spoken with, they seemed very open to land owner ideas.

Of course. They're going to listen to the land owner's ideas. That doesn't mean they're going to be willing to include those ideas in the plan.

If you tell them that you are thinking about Christmas tree production; they will modify your plan. Or simply point you to the page in your Management Plan where it discusses Christmas tree growing.

Or, they'll tell you why it's a bad idea. Land owners should be listening carefully to the person hired to create the plan. You're paying for the information; don't brush it aside because you don't like the answer.

The forester is your employee.

It is his job, to assess your land, to talk to you, and to form a written plan that includes what you want to do with your land.

Not necessarily. If what you want is reasonable and responsible, yes, you should get what you want. Again, if what you want to do with the land isn't suited to the land the forester is under absolutely no obligation to write a plan based on what you want. Listen to the advice you're paying for.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

But laws aren't different from forester to forester. I don't know of a forester who's going to break the laws and sign your plan. The small fee isn't worth losing his or her license over.

Okay this is going in the wrong direction.

I did not say anything about breaking any laws.

It was not my intent to break any laws.

I did not mean to imply that anyone should ever break, or intend to break any law.

I would never attempt to bribe any forester to do anything that is against the law.

I missed where anyone got such an idea, from anything that I said.

Breaking the law was not my intent here.

... Of course. They're going to listen to the land owner's ideas. That doesn't mean they're going to be willing to include those ideas in the plan.

We are discussing 'Treegrowth' and 'Forestry Management Plans'.

Within the context of speaking to your forester, when you are discussing your plans for what you wish to do with your land.

So long as your ideas, are confined to growing trees, then I fail to see the problem.

You kind of imply that I am talking about breaking the law, I do not understand what law your thinking is going to be broken by growing trees within 'Treegrowth'.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

We are discussing 'Treegrowth' and 'Forestry Management Plans'.

I know. I've been reading the discussion. I've been married to a forester for a long time now. After years of conversations and tagging along, I'm fully aware of the topic.

Within the context of speaking to your forester, when you are discussing your plans for what you wish to do with your land.

So long as your ideas, are confined to growing trees, then I fail to see the problem.

As I said, if what you want to do suits your forest it's fine. If what you want to do can't be done a forester is not going to write a plan outlining failure. Just because a forester is working with you (he's not an employee, btw) doesn't mean your ideas are suitable for your land. Let's say you want to grow olive trees for the olives and lumber. I know that's far fetched but a lot of ideas people have for their land are out there. I wish I could tell two of the newest we've heard. Just because you think it's a good idea to grow olives and harvest the trees doesn't mean a forester is going to write that up in a plan. Does that make sense?

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

You kind of imply that I am talking about breaking the law, I do not understand what law your thinking is going to be broken by growing trees within 'Treegrowth'.

You quoted 7th's post about plans having to be in compliance before a forester will sign. You said "each forester is different." Each forester is different but that doesn't mean they might sign a plan that's not in compliance.

[Cornerguy1]

Regarding the last couple of posts:

Is it possible that Maine Writer and forest beekeeper are having one of those misunderstandings brought on mostly by communicating by keyboard?


I didn't take forest's comment about each forester being different to be a direct response to 7th's comment. I took it to be more of a sidebar pointing out that each forester is different and therefore some are more open-minded than others when it comes to future options, rather than being a comment on foresters being willing to turn a blind eye to legal requirements.


Of course, I could be totally out in left field.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by Cornerguy1

Regarding the last couple of posts:

Is it possible that Maine Writer and forest beekeeper are having one of those misunderstandings brought on mostly by communicating by keyboard?

Of course!

[forest beekeeper]

I met a Forester at a Forest Management workshop, and he was telling us that he is even willing to go along with an owner who wanted to do things simply for aesthetics.

Which was why I was under the impression some foresters seem to be pretty open minded.

I did not intend to imply that anyone should go against his Forester's advise.

You are hiring him for his knowledge, it would be foolish to ignore such.

What really stuck in my mind was that old guy going on about the aesthetic 'value' of a forest.

CornerGuy1- Your wisdom is amazing

[Northern Maine Land Man]

I just checked in here for a minute and don't have time tonight to correct all the errors on these four pages. I'll just leave you with three facts to ponder:

1. Land in tree growth must be subject to harvest.

2. The maximum penalty for withdrawing land from tree growth is 30% of the value of the land on the date of withdrawal.

3. Much of the information mentioned in this thread is related to the open space program, not the tree growth program.

Have fun with these until I get back on the 26th. Play nice.

[half-pint]

Hi everyone,
I just want to thank you for taking time for my question.

After reading through the various links I haven't seen anything about recertifying by the 15th of January...where did you see that? I only read that it's due to recert. a year from purchase. Thanks.

In the meanwhile, Merry Christmas & I look forward to reading more info & opinions on this subject.

[BoundtofindME]

Originally Posted by half-pint

After reading through the various links I haven't seen anything about recertifying by the 15th of January...where did you see that?.

Possible changes coming ... findings due by January 15...

7. Tree Growth Review [LD 543 (Resolve 2007, Ch. 197)]

The Director of the Maine Forest Service is directed by the resolve to convene a task force of interested parties to review the following issues related to the Maine Tree Growth Tax Law:

1. The timing of determining the forest growth rate portion and whether the current method of determining stumpage values should be broadened to provide for larger regions;

2. Whether data supports the perception that some land is being classified under the Maine Tree Growth Tax Law that does not meet statutory requirements or the purpose of the law as described in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, section 572.

3. The best methods for ensuring that municipalities and landowners are aware of the requirements of the Maine Tree Growth Tax Law and the availability of assistance from the Maine Forest Service in determining eligibility and meeting the ongoing requirements of the law.

The task force will have no more than 7 members including representatives of landowner groups, municipal government and conservation groups. It is obligated to report back to the Legislature its findings by January 15, 2009.

Municipal officials interested in reviewing tree growth tax issues should contact MMA's Geoff Herman (gherman@memun.org or 1-800-452-8786).

[forest beekeeper]

I am having difficulty finding: Maine Tree Growth Tax Law, Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, section 572.

Does anyone have a link?

I have posted the link to this page a few times before:
Maine Revenue Services: Property Tax -