Description
Estimate the volume, quality, and market value of standing timber and harvested logs for sales, procurement, and harvest planning. Inspect timber for species and defects and take field measurements to determine volume and product yields.
- • Evaluate stand and log characteristics and determine grades and product classes using established criteria.
- • Record tree, plot, and load data into tally sheets or handheld data collectors.
- • Mark sample trees, boundaries, or products with paint or flagging, or call out grades to crew.
- • Measure DBH, tree heights, and log lengths to calculate volume, weight, and market value using field instruments and conversion tables.
- • Lay out and cruise sample plots or transects, and provide bucking specifications to maximize value.
- • Identify defective, substandard, or specialty timber for exclusion, regrade, or alternate processing.
- • Inspect trees and logs for defects such as rot, sweep, knots, cracks, and storm or insect damage.
- • Travel to timber tracts, landings, log yards, or mills to inspect timber and verify volumes.
- • Communicate with logging crews and mill personnel to coordinate sorting and log movement.
- • Verify truck weights, scale tickets, and supplier identities to reconcile delivered volumes.
- • Prepare estimates, bid packages, and valuation reports for timber sales, purchases, or contracts.
- • Recommend hauling plans and mill destinations based on species, grade, and market demand.
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Agriculture
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
