Legal Aspects of Owning and Managing Woodlands

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book!!!
Review: Looking at buying some forest land for recreation and for long term investment. Got on the internet and found that Thom McEvoy is regarded as one of the nations leading experts on this. The source of that info also listed Thom's email address - so I typed him a message asking if he might be able to give some advice. He responded personally with references to this book and other sources which he did not author.

I found his book to be very simple for the beginner, but at the same time very informative on how to make sure you are doing the right things as your approach timeberland ownership. Absolutely a great book and highly recommend it if you are looking for a good way to educate yourself on this process. For the person who already owns timeberland - great resource on topics such as dispute settlement and estate planning.

Only reason it is rated 5 stars is because there is no 6 star rating.

Rating:
Summary: A very helpful reference for the private woodland owner
Review: Thom McEvoy, associate professor and extension forester at theUniversity of Vermont has written a very helpful reference for theprivate woodland owner. It deals not only with legal issues but also covers taxes, estate planning, management, surveying, ethics and current perspectives on sustainable forestry. It gives enough background and detail to clarify confusing legal concepts but not so much as to burden the reader. Throughout it carries a wonderful point of view: it is often wiser and more productive to solve issues without the law than to get adversarial. As a bonus the book has some very useful appendices which include lists of extention forestry specialists, attorneys general, an extensive glossary and suggested readings.

It has changed the practice of this woodland owner. I have become serious about estate planning. I am less threatened because I understand it better. I was also motivated to contact my lawyer about what I had thought were minor legal items. They were not. Thanks Thom McEvoy.

The book will remain a primary reference. A comfort and guide the next time I have a timber sale, hire a forester, buy or sell land or discuss boundaries with my neighbors.