Summitt’s philosophy is to manage natural resources in a responsible, cost effective, and sustainable manner. Quality and customer satisfaction are our goal.
Our staff has over 30 years of experience in providing Professional Forestry Services on a consulting basis. Over that time we have provided forestry services to a combination of small woodland owners, private timber industry, government agencies, attorneys, accountants, land appraisers and others.
Following is a list of the categories of work that we routinely deliver to our clients:
TIMBER CRUSING AND TIMBER VOLUME ESTIMATES
By applying various types of field tree measurements, such as variable plot, or fixed plot sample methods, an estimate of the species, quantity and quality of timber on an individual property, timber sale, or large ownership can be estimated.
TIMBER APPRAISAL
When the client wants an estimate of the value of timber, a timber appraisal is performed. This represents the value of merchantable timber taking into account current log prices, log & haul costs, various taxes, road use fees, etc.
FOREST INVENTORY
Measurements of many aspects of a forest ecosystem can be inventoried and evaluated by various methods, such as:
STOCKING SURVEYS
Result in an estimate of trees per acre, for various planning purposes. Stocking surveys are often a requirement when making application for a home site approval in properties that are forest zoned, or in private timber land management.
STAND EXAMS
Include a thorough inventory of the overstory and understory components of a stand of trees. This may include, associated plant communities, and hazardous fuels assessment.
CONTINUOUS FOREST INVENTORY
Measurements of growth attributes of a stand of trees are made to assist with long range planning, and growth and yield of a stand of trees, or an entire ownership. Future timber volume and value can be estimated on growth & yield projects.
TIMBER SALE MANAGEMENT
Planning and oversight of operations is essential to any successful timber harvest operation. The owners goals and objectives, as well as forest management rules, are used to design specifications for the logger to follow to achieve a satisfactory end result. A timber harvest usually starts out with a timber cruise and appraisal, to know the size and value of the project. Field preparation may include survey of boundary, tree marking, delineating buffer zones, road layout, and a plan to protect riparian areas or wildlife management areas.
CUSTOM MAPPING
Use of Field GPS machines from Trimble and Garmin and various mapping programs, such as ArcGIS and Trimble Pathfinder Office are used to create maps to the customers specifications.
STEWARDSHIP PLANS
Stewardship plans are a form of Forest Management Plan, which define the properties components, and prescriptions for treatments to improve the Forest. This can include many options, but commonly Planting Trees, Pre-commercial Thinning, Hazardous Fuels Reduction, Hand Pile & Burn, Pruning, and other treatments appropriate to the site conditions.
CUSTOM PROJECTS
Please call us anytime to discuss other projects. We can design and implement plans to meet your objectives. Contact David R. Cyphers – Forester at 541-535-8920.
IMPLEMENTATION
Summitt provides a full range of Forest Management Services. Due to Summitt’s ability to mobilize labor crews, to perform reforestation projects throughout the Western United States, we can provide the expertise for planning and implementing the most complex forestry projects. Please refer back to other sections of the website for detail on Summitt’s diverse services.