Forestry Services
About Barnwell Forestry
Led by founder and owner Mike Silliman, Barnwell Forestry brings over 25 years of hands-on experience managing forestland across Kentucky and the Southern Appalachians. That depth of knowledge shows in every project we take on.
Our team includes Certified Arborists through the International Society of Arboriculture, Certified Foresters with the Association of Consulting Foresters, and licensed pesticide applicators across multiple states—giving you trusted, professional expertise at every level.
Barnwell Forestry was founded with a clear purpose: to provide landowners with a complete, well-rounded approach to responsible forest management—one that supports the health, value, and long-term legacy of your land.
Timber Sales
Invasive Plant Managment
Timber Sales and Appraisals
Timber Tresspass Cases
Forest Management Plan
Prescribed Fire
Timber Sales
Selling timber in Kentucky requires expert planning and oversight to ensure you get a fair price while protecting your land. By working with a professional, your trees are inventoried, marketed to the right buyers, and sold through a competitive process. We manage every step, from valuation to the final harvest, to maximize your return and keep your forest healthy for years to come.
Barnwell Forestry manages the entire sale process for you, including:
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Timber Inventory: We conduct a professional "cruise" to identify every species and calculate the exact volume and market value of your standing timber.
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Tree Marking & Harvest Planning: Each tree to be harvested is individually marked with paint to ensure only the right timber is removed while preserving the future canopy.
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Competitive Bidding: We market your timber to a wide network of qualified buyers to drive up the price and ensure you receive the highest possible revenue.
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Contract Development & Negotiation: Our team drafts strong, legal agreements that protect your interests and clearly define the expectations for the harvest.
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Oversight of Logging Operations: We perform regular site visits during the harvest to ensure the logger is following the contract and respecting your property boundaries.
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BMP Compliance: We strictly enforce Kentucky’s Best Management Practices to protect your soil and water quality from erosion or damage during equipment use.
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Post-Harvest Recommendations: After the sale, we provide a final assessment and a plan for reforestation or habitat work to ensure your woodland recovers quickly.
Forest Management Plan
A Forest Management Plan is a custom roadmap that aligns your personal goals with the natural potential of your Kentucky woodland. Whether you want to maximize timber revenue, improve wildlife habitat for deer and turkey, or preserve your land’s beauty, a professional plan is the essential first step. At Barnwell Forestry, we provide the expert inventory and actionable recommendations needed to keep your forest healthy and productive for generations.
Barnwell Forestry will help create this management plan and provide recommendations on the next steps for your woodland, including:
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Comprehensive Resource Inventory: Detailed analysis of tree species, age, and health to determine the current value of your timber stands.
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Wildlife Habitat Enhancement: Targeted strategies to improve food sources and cover for Kentucky game and non-game species.
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Invasive Species Control: Practical solutions for identifying and managing threats like Bush Honeysuckle, Autumn Olive, and Tree of Heaven.
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Cost-Share & Tax Eligibility: Ensuring your plan meets the requirements for programs like the Forest Stewardship Program or NRCS financial assistance (EQIP/CSP).
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Timber Harvest Scheduling: Long-term planning for sustainable thinning or harvests to maximize future growth and financial returns.
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Boundary & Trail Maintenance: Recommendations for improving property access and securing your perimeter against trespass.
Invasive Plant Managment
Invasive plants can quickly take over woodlands, choking out native trees and harming wildlife habitat. Managing these species requires early detection and a clear plan tailored to your specific property. Barnwell Forestry uses proven methods to control invasive pest development, restoring the natural balance and health of your forest.
We provide comprehensive invasive species management, including:
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Identification of Invasive Species: We survey your land to locate common threats like Bush Honeysuckle, Tree of Heaven, Autumn Olive, and many more.
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Site-Specific Control Plans: We develop a custom strategy based on density and species type that are infesting your natural areas and which native plants we need to protect.
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Mechanical and Herbicide Options: Our team determines the best mix of physical removal and chemical treatments to kill invasive plants effectively.
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Targeted Application: All treatments are handled by licensed professionals to ensure chemicals are used safely and only hit the intended targets.
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Monitoring and Follow-Up: We perform regular check-ins to catch any new growth and provide touch-up treatments as needed.
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Restoration Strategies: We implement techniques that encourage native seedlings to grow back once the invasive species are controled.
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Management Goal Integration: We align our control efforts with your broader goals, such as improving timber quality or enhancing wildlife habitat.
Timber Basis and Appraisals
Establishing your timber basis and securing a professional appraisal are essential for maximizing investment and minimizing tax liabilities. At Barnwell Forestry, we provide a unique, multidisciplinary approach that balances your personal goals with the natural potential of your woodland. Our firm is dedicated to delivering expert appraisals that reflect the true value of your property, from high-value hardwoods to the overall ecological health of your acreage.
Our timber basis and appraisal services provide the essential data you need for informed decision-making, including:
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Establishment of Timber Basis: A professional inventory used to determine your timber's value at acquisition, which can significantly reduce capital gains taxes during future harvests.
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Estate & Tax Planning: Accurate appraisals to support "step-up" in basis for inherited property or to document values for gifting and estate settlement.
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Market-Based Valuations: Real-time analysis of stumpage prices to provide an accurate fair market value for potential land sales or timber harvests.
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Casualty & Theft Loss Documentation: Professional reporting required by the IRS to claim deductions in the event of storm damage, fire, or timber trespass.
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Inventory & Species Analysis: A detailed "cruise" of your woodland to identify volume, quality, and species composition across your entire property.
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Multidisciplinary Reporting: Comprehensive deliverables that combine technical forestry data with insights on how your natural resources align with your long-term financial goals.
Timber Tresspass Cases
Timber theft or trespass occurs when your trees are stolen or harvested by mistake, often during an adjacent logging operation.
If you have experienced timber trespass, Barnwell Forestry can represent you with:
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Timber Theft Investigation: Forensic on-site analysis to document the exact number and species of trees removed.
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Stumpage Valuation: Expert appraisal of the fair market value for stolen timber, including high-value hardwoods.
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Civil Law Compliance: Assistance in pursuing triple damages under KRS 364.130 due to lack of notification or boundary objections.
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Formal Reporting: Detailed reports prepared for law enforcement, insurance claims, or legal counsel.
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Expert Witness Testimony: Authoritative support in court to verify the volume, quality, and financial impact of the harvest.
Prescribed Fire
Prescribed burning is a controlled management tool used to restore native oak-hickory forests and improve wildlife habitat for species like deer and turkey. By carefully applying fire, we can reduce dangerous fuel buildups, control invasive species like Bush Honeysuckle, and clear leaf litter to help oak acorns sprout.
Our team oversees safe, effective burns that meet your goals while protecting your property, including:
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Custom Burn Plan Development: Creating a detailed "prescription" that defines the exact weather and wind conditions needed for a safe, successful burn.
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KRS 149 Compliance: Navigating Kentucky’s strict fire hazard seasons and local burn bans to ensure all activities are fully legal and permitted.
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Fuel & Brush Reduction: Removing excess leaf litter and downed wood to lower the risk of catastrophic, uncontrolled wildfires.
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Habitat Restoration: Promoting the growth of native grasses and wildflowers to benefit pollinators and upland game birds.
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Oak Regeneration Support: Using fire to suppress shade-tolerant trees like maple and beech, allowing high-value oaks to remain dominant.
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Professional On-Site Management: Providing a trained crew and specialized equipment to manage fire lines and monitor smoke dispersal during the operation.