What Owners Expect From Their Woodlots

There is no typical or average wood lot owner. Woodlot owners come from all walks of life and own woodlots for almost as many reasons as there are variations in the human personality. Some own woodlots for the primary purpose of producing some kind of cash crop: timber, Christmas trees, maple syrup, firewood, and so on. Others derive satisfaction from the nonconsumptive values of woodlot ownership, for example a scenic environment in which to hike, picnic, or meditate. The important thing to realize is that woodlot management has to address the expectations of the various owners if it is to stand a chance of being implemented. Findings made in the recent New Brunswick Private Woodlot Resources Study are discussed. Keywords: Woodlots, owner expectations, reasons for ownership, financial and nonfinancial goals.