Another Tree Growth question... (Franklin: 2009, assessor, to buy)

[half-pint]

Hi Folks,
With your help I hope to get the hang of the Tree Growth Program soon!

At the end of this past summer I purchased 14 acres (Yippee!) which is the TGP in Franklin County. I hope to put a camp/cabin there next summer.

I realize I must remove 1 acre from TG and pay the penalty. I will soon reach out to a forester to recertify the land in TG. (I believe I have a year from purchse date to due this).

My question: Do I declare to the forester that I wish to remove the acre before recertification or is this something I take up with the town when I get closer to putting the structure on the land? In other words, will I have to recertify again on the 13 acres if I recert the 14 acres now? What is the best order for my actions?

Thanks, as always, for your wisdom,
Kim

[retiredtinbender]

I think you should let the forester know right off the bat. Probably wouldn't hurt to talk to the assessor either. He can tell you the values for the last few years. Better than having to change something with them later on. I've copied the website for the state tax office in case you want it. It shows all the forms and different tax bulletins. Scroll down the page and you can find the law for tree growth.Lot's of good info on there.

Maine Revenue Services: Property Tax -

[half-pint]

Thanks so much for the quick response, RTB! I want to do this the right way & keep it as simple & efficient as possible.
Thank you for the link & I'll keep you informed with my progress!
Kim

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Yes, you should tell the forester your intent. Let him know where you want your building. With only 14 acres I suggest you put it near the middle.

You have up to a year to notify the town or the state your intent. However, If the tree growth plan on the land you own expires on January 15, 2009 you better get it in gear and have it done or you pay the fee on the whole 14 acres.

Are you sure you want to do a commercial harvest on your 14 acres in the future? That is what you certify when you enter the tree growth program.

[Maineah]

Tree growth program.. You maintain the land, defer the taxes and someone comes in down the road sometime and turns the whole thing into slash! Pay the taxes...own the land.... Don't be another TREE GROWTH SUCKER.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

None of my land is in tree growth. Anybody with land is tree growth is one legislative vote away from losing complete control of his land.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by half-pint

...
I realize I must remove 1 acre from TG and pay the penalty. I will soon reach out to a forester to recertify the land in TG. (I believe I have a year from purchse date to due this).

Why, exactly is it that you 'MUST' remove one acre from treegrowth?

If you plan to construct a permanent structure, meaning stone or concrete foundation; then yes you 'must'.

However I have seen cabins mounted onto pontoons, or onto skids; that did not require a foundation; therefore they could be within Treegrowth.

If perhaps you have a jeep trail going into your land, and you brought a small trailer back in their. Again you would not require to take anything out of Treegrowth. Or maybe a yurt.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

You can camp on your land without taking anything out of tree growth. If you want a privy, now it's classified as a permanent structure. The minimum you can take out of tree growth is one acre.

[half-pint]

Thank you all for your responses:

NMLM, I will quickly find out if this land's TGP expires in January '09 rather than a year after purchase date...I obviously am learning something new every day. Thanks.
I also would prefer to control my land & will pursue the cost of removing the land from TGP (financial yikes)!

Maineah, Ouch...but I'm happy to finally hear an emotional response regarding Tree Growth...it's been very difficult investigating honest information on this subject. I happen to agree that you have to pay for your freedom; I try not to be a Sucker of any kind. Thanks for your candor...do you want to buy some good land cheap? (heh, heh).

Forest: it appears that any structure (even on skids) is not admissable on Tree Growth land. My goal is to have a simple cabin rather than a trailer, yurt, etc. Thank you for the ideas.

Again, thanks for responding and keep the info coming if you can think of anything else that would educate me on this matter!
Kim

[Maineah]

I'm not saying you're a sucker half-pint. It's just that over the time I have spent on City Data and what my friends have encountered NMLM is right . You give up a lot of rights to save taxes with tree growth locking up your property. Since you're already locked in, sorry.