I am so grateful during this season of blessings that my mom took the time over many years to speak with Dad and me about her deep love of our family forestland, her concerns about the forest, her desires for habitat renewal and stewardship, and her vision and goals. I am so grateful she and Dad planned for Mom’s passage by creating a trust, consulting a lawyer, creating a solid will, and communicating directly with me.

Brenda Woodard, a retired U.S. Forest Service forester and a landowner in Douglas County, is the daughter of a former Lane County Extension Forester, Steve Woodard, who was the Oregon Tree Farmer of the Year in 2004. He lives on the tree farm that has been in his family since his grandfather purchased it in 1948.

Lon and Laura Rankin own several small and moderate size parcels of woodland in Oregon’s mid-Willamette valley. They’d taken care of the legal side of succession planning long ago.  “I learned about the importance of planning from my father and uncle. They both had trusts and the transfer to the next generation went so smoothly,” said Lon.

For a majority of woodland owners leaving a land legacy for the next generation is an important ownership objective. Less than half of those who feel that way will successfully create such a legacy. This is sad because most of them could.

Ginny and Allen Nipper and their family are landowners in southwest Arkansas, north, and central Louisiana. The Nipper’s primary goal is to increase the value of their land for their own profit (sentimentally or financially) and smoothly transition its management to their adult children one day.

There are many reasons to keep a journal about your woodland property. One important reason is to create a history to share with family members. This history will help them understand your goals and allow them to appreciate the beauty of the place. Make sure to include plenty of photographs of the property and your family enjoying it.