Rates for Products & Services
The North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) is authorized by statute to charge a fee for certain products and services in order to recover costs associated with them. The following represent the most current rates for these items.
Timber Marking Services
Prior to a timber harvest, trees intended for removal are marked to ensure that only suitable cuttings are made. NCFS personnel will perform this task on stands of two acres or less free of charge. For crop tree marking up to 20 acres there is a charge of $25.00 per acre. The NCFS will not mark stands over this amount but will recommend the hiring of a professional consulting forester for the job.
There is no separate charge for the paint used for timber marking. To arrange for timber marking, please contact your county forest ranger.
Prescribed Burning Services
Prescribed fire (Rx fire) services are offered by the NCFS for both site preparation burning and in-stand burning. Rates are based on acreage. In addition, fire line charges are determined by the exact number of tractor hours used, by tractor type, and round trip hauling unit miles.
Training Facilities
The NCFS operates three training facilities in the state available for rental to government and other institutions; the B.H. Corpening Training Facility in Crossnore, the Ralph Winkworth Forestry Center in Kinston, and the Stanford M. Adams Training Facility just outside Pittsboro. The facilities in Crossnore and Kinston both offer overnight accomodations and full meal services.
- Breakfast (Corpening and Winkworth only) ...................................... $7.00
- Lunch (Corpening and Winkworth only) ........................................... $8.00
- Supper (Corpening and Winkworth only) ........................................ $12.00
- Lodging (Corpening and Winkworth only) ....................................... $25.00
- Refreshments (full day, per person) ................................................ $4.50
- Refreshments (half day, per person) ............................................... $2.25
- Classroom surcharge (per person per day, $50.00 per day minimum) ..... $2.00
- Firing range rental (Corpening only) .............................................. $50.00
- Low ropes course (Winkworth only) .............................................. $25.00
- Classroom fee (Adams only, half day) ............................................ $75.00
- Classroom fee (Adams only, full day) ........................................... $150.00
NCFS Log scale sticks (Biltmore sticks)
Biltmore sticks are measuring devices used to roughly determine the volume of timber available in a tree. While replaced in the field by more advanced tools these sticks remain a simple way to do quick measurements and are popular devices for teaching about forestry techniques. The NCFS sells Biltmore sticks for $3.00 each. The price includes shipping. You may order the sticks by contacting Tom James at 919-857-4835.
Publications
Common Forest Trees of North Carolina and How to Identify Them
This paperback reference book has been in print for several decades and is periodically updated with new information. It includes details on tree sizes, shapes and other characteristics of native North Carolina species. Each copy of the book costs $1.00. There is an additional charge for shipping.
The Forester's Field Handbook
A long-used and frequently revised reference guide for professional foresters and students of forestry. The book is $7.50 and that price includes shipping.
Copies of either book can be ordered by contacting Tom James at 919-857-4835.
Equipment Deposits
Planting bar
Planting bars are shovel-like tools used to quickly create suitable holes for tree seedling planting. Bars can be borrowed from district or county offices. Users must leave a refundable deposit of $40.00 per device.
Drip torch
Drip torches are hand-held canisters containing kerosene and diesel fuels, used to ignite forest fuels in prescribed burning operations. Burners can borrow the torches from a district or county office by leaving a refundable deposit of $120.00 per torch.