Forest owners talking to a logger

Talking to a logger’s reference

There are some important things you need to learn from a reference supplied by a logger.

When I talk with landowners about hiring a forester or logger to work on their property, I always tell them to ask for references. The response I usually get is, “what questions should I ask them?” I recently came across a nice compilation of questions at the Minnesota Logger Education Program website that I thought I would share.

I have broken the questions into some broad categories, but you shouldn’t feel like you have to ask them in any specific order. You are welcome to use the questions that are appropriate for your situation, and modify them as you see fit.

Communication – your goals and concerns need to be clearly expressed to your logger so that you are both on the same page as to what is to be done and how. Conditions can change during a timber harvesting operation and good loggers will work with you to adapt in ways that still meets your goals.

Did the logger communicate well with you? Did the logger explain, for example, any necessary changes in the operation? Was he or she flexible in responding to your needs? How were the logger’s relations with foresters and neighboring landowners?


Performance – these questions get at how well the logger met the prescriptions in the contract you both signed.



Impacts on the land – every timber harvesting operation will have some impact on the trees that are left standing and your roads. The best loggers want you to be happy with the job they did and will treat your land in a respectful manner.






And one final question: Would you use the logger for future timber harvests? Why or why not?