Ten Commandments for a Consulting Forester

From the Winter 2007 ACF Newsletter...

ACF veteran Bill Lebold, ACF (Ret.) has accumulated wisdom through years of experience. After a recent visit to Mount Sinai, Mr. Lebold was inspired to put pen to paper.

1. KNOW THY CLIENT
A: If an individual or couple -- know all names involved, marital status, parents if living, children, divorce, death, etc.
B: If government agency, i.e. federal, state, county, city, water authority, etc., make sure you know who has the proper authority to sell standing trees, or any other activity on the public property. For example, county commissioners, township trustees, mayor, city council, etc.
C: If on private property belonging to a hunt club, boat club, recreational group, golf course, etc. Again, make sure the board, or elected officers, or whoever have the authority to sign the papers and approve the forest work.
D: If an estate, trust, family group, or other such entity holding title to the land involved; be sure to check land ownership, and also it is a very good idea to check with the family attorney handling any forestry transactions.

2. THY CLIENT MUST KNOW YOU
Tell him or her about yourself. A forest consultant should give his or her client a complete rundown on the consultant’s educational background and qualifications, complete work experience, professional associations, references on similar work experiences and other information pertinent to the actions proposed.

3. ALWAYS MAINTAIN CLOSE COMMUNICATION WITH THY CLIENT
Promptly answer all phone calls, letters, e-mails, etc. Your client should know where and how to reach you in as quick of a manner as possible. Keep your client advised of the progress (or lack thereof) on the work you are doing for him or her. Most clients will become upset if they are kept in the dark, or seldom receive a progress report on the activities you are performing for them.

4. KNOW THY CLIENT’S PROPERTY AND PRESENT FOREST STATUS
It is very important to have in hand all of the current plat maps, topographic maps, aerial photos, county records, etc., when working on a client’s property. You cannot know too much about property lines, corners, line fences, neighbors, past forest practices, right-of-ways, easements, gas and power lines, farm rentals, hunting rights, etc. Often it is necessary to study the land deeds, or work with a surveyor or others if property lines or ownership status is in question.

5. ALWAYS CONDUCT THYSELF IN THE BEST ETHICAL STANDARDS
Never lie to a client or anyone else in the conduct of your business. Never evade questions, answer them to the best of your ability. Never belittle, denigrate, or rundown a fellow consultant, forester, logger, lumber company, law enforcement officer, or anyone else in the conduct of your forest consultant duties, or at any other time for that matter.

6. HOW TO TREAT THY CLIENT
Always treat your client with respect, integrity, dignity, promptness, fairness and efficiency. Be prompt at meetings, reliable and properly dressed for all occasions. Have all papers, paint and other necessary tools and accessories available and ready to go for the forest project you are planning to pursue. If you are unable to timely conduct an assignment for a client, so inform him or her. Whatever it is; timing, health, inexperience, size and scope of the project, distance, etc., advise your client accordingly and recommend another consultant or course of action.

7. RECOMMENDING ASSISTANCE IN RELATED FIELDS
Always be ready to recommend experts or assistants in other fields if you or your client feel it is necessary to augment the total practice. Such assistance could come from surveyors, attorneys, engineers, environmentalists, agricultural experts, accountants, etc. You should provide your client with the best knowledge and expertise pertinent to his or her overall situation, and of course in line with their willingness to pay for such services.

8. COOPERATION WITH OTHER EXPERTS
Always be willing to cooperate and work with other forest consultants, or individuals as suggested in number seven above. Be ready to use such persons and agencies as you and your client feel would be helpful in fully accomplishing the client’s desires.

9. KNOWLEDGE ABOUT LAWS AND LOCAL REGULATIONS
A forest consultant should keep him or herself knowledgeable about local laws and regulations. A consultant does not wish to involve a client, others, or him/herself in any illegal or improper activities. Most forest consultants carry some form of Errors and Omissions insurance to adequately cover themselves in the event of a catastrophic award in the rare even of court action against them.

10. KEEP CURRENT ON ALL FORESTRY ISSUES
A forest consultant should always keep him or herself fully updated on all forestry issues, economic trends, timber prices and markets, weather activities, etc. A forest consultant should attend such seminars and courses to qualify for accreditation in his or her field. It is important that a forest consultant read and study current forestry related publications, and other media news, so that she or she is knowledgeable with the latest and best forestry information. Finally, it is also advisable for a forest consultant to keep up professional relationships by belonging to various local, state and national forestry organizations.