Ask the landowner

[SwampDonkey]

Lots of forum members on here write good plans. Some follow a form and format of an association, company/government, or certification body. Mine follow the local woodlot association format, but I have made improvements to it. Because it lacked a little bit of information to show the landowner what the prescriptions are based on, such as basal area distribution and quality, contour of the land, stream locations with buffers and few other things. The format even lacked some detail on a logging plan. The government program here only pays $100 per PID, that could be on 12-2500 acres of land. So you can imagine what kind of plan you get if the woodlot association and owner don't add to the pot. We used to have a program where so much was for writing and so much for acreage you walked and the owner only paid $35 I think. That's how I structure my rates, the only fare way I know. My original point of this post was to say that some of your foresters might have a sample copy of their form and format with use of a 'fictitious" landowner so you get an idea of what to expect.

[beenthere]

Darin
I too had mine done by a State District Forester. Because he was trying to cover all the bases, there were "boiler plate" sections in there (I'm sure not specific to my wood lot, but in general for all plans he wrote) that read like a lawyer had written them. Lawyer-ese, and lengthy, and not to the point. In addition, there were specific things that he knew I was not in favor of (like previous plans, I was to cut down my large, old red oak trees which I prize and which are den trees and he knew both. Also, he said I was to clearcut the dying aspen and walnut and ash areas so the aspen would come back for the deer to feed on - this at a time when the deer herd was too large and encouraging more wasn't wise IMO - besides, I was anxious for the aspen to completely fall so the walnuts I interplanted there would succeed). For a neighbor, he included removing the invasive species, buckthorn, and lined him up with federal money to get paid for removing it, using spray and mechanical means. My buckthorn wasn't mentioned.

My point is, there is no good medium to know how much or how little to make a good plan for the owner. I think making one that is straight-forward, simple, and understandable by the owner is most important. If he/she understands it, then likely will use it and will ask questions to expand on further areas of their specific interest.  Others might think the larger it is, and more difficult it is to read, would be the better plan. Where is a good happy medium?  Doubt there is one. 

[cheyenne]

Everyone here makes a strikingly valid point. But there's only two reasons for the question. Money or Health of the forest. IMHO you can't have one without the other. So give the landowner both sides of the story and let them make thier own decision because they will anyway. (One with wood I compliment you on your foresight) I've lived in the woods for 67 years and never seen a better steward than mother nature......Cheyenne