What We Look for on a Lot Walk
First things first: we’re not showing up with a chainsaw
A lot walk is just that — a walk. When we visit a landowner’s property, we’re not there to jump into a harvest or push a contract. We’re there to take a close, honest look at the woods, listen to your goals, and figure out what makes sense for your land.
Every landowner has different goals — income, habitat, cleanup, or simply learning. The best way to start is by walking the property and seeing what’s really there.
Tree species and spacing
We start by identifying what kinds of hardwoods you have — black walnut, maple, ash, cherry, hickory, and beech are common in this part of Upstate New York. Different species carry different values depending on the markets and time of year, so knowing what’s standing is the first step in making the right decision.
We also look at how tightly the trees are spaced. If the canopy is too closed in, younger or better trees may be struggling for sunlight.
Size, age, and form of your trees
We don’t just care about height — we look at diameter at breast height (DBH), crown size, and overall form. A tall tree might not be valuable if it’s full of knots, lean, or hollow inside.
What we’re really after is maturity and structure: are your trees at their peak, declining, or still growing? That helps determine whether now is the right time to cut — or if it’s better to wait.
Access and terrain
We pay close attention to how equipment could (or couldn’t) get in and out. That includes existing trails, road frontage, slopes, and potential landing spots for staging logs.
Low-impact access is a big part of what we offer — but it helps to know upfront what kind of footprint is realistic.
Stress, storm damage, or disease
A lot of landowners don’t realize they’ve got trees with root damage, rot, fungus, or structural weakness until we point it out.
Identifying these early means you can recover value before the timber goes bad — or remove safety hazards near trails, cabins, or driveways.
Regrowth and forest health
One of the biggest things we look for is what’s happening under the main canopy — are there young hardwoods coming up? Is there diversity? Are deer wiping out all the saplings?
We want to make sure a cut helps your woods come back stronger, not just emptier. That’s how we cut today with the next generation in mind.
What happens after the walk
After we’ve seen your woods and talked through your goals, we’ll put together a basic tally of what we expect to harvest — including the main species, rough board footage, and an outline of what the job would involve.
We can’t fully grade the logs until they’re on the ground — sometimes what looks perfect on the outside has hidden rot or defects inside. That’s why we give you a realistic picture up front, then stay in touch as the job unfolds.
From there, we’ll agree on a payment structure that works for both sides — clear, fair, and with cash in hand when the job starts moving. Every lot is different, and we’ll walk you through the numbers so you know what to expect.
Want to schedule a walk-through?
Call or text: 315-404-8978
We walk properties across Upstate New York, and we’re always happy to talk through your options — whether you’re ready now or just doing your homework.
