Timber theft is a crime that affects everyone. With the price of timber rising and more absentee landowners in Texas, timber theft is on the rise. While timber and landowners initially feel the monetary loss, everyone loses because trees are taken without methods in place to ensure new forests for the future.

Many timber theft cases involve absentee landowners who are more vulnerable because they aren’t around to protect their property. In these cases, the thief is often long gone by the time the crime is discovered.

Another method of theft involves timber buying contracts. There are a number of scenarios, but the most common is that the contract is never fulfilled by the buyer.

To help you avoid these and other timber theft tactics, Texas A&M Forest Service offers the following advice:

• Have someone you know and trust report any cutting or trespassing on your land immediately.
• Have a Bill of Sale before any cutting begins and never sign a contract without checking references of the buyer.
• For the best price insist on getting bids for your timber.
• Mark all property lines to assure cutting on adjacent property does not encroach on yours.
• Most importantly, if you do not know the timber business, find someone who does to help you determine volumes, current prices and potential bidders.
• To learn more about timber theft prevention and applicable laws, read the Timber Theft Laws in Texas brochure.