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Charcoal is a formless mass of carbon and can be made from most carbonaceous materials but wood is preferred. Charcoal is one of the oldest of man-made fuels and has been prepared in underground “kilns” for thousands of years. Interestingly, charcoal is still a major source of energy for many throughout the world but contributes to major deforestation in poor countries located in sensitive, arid areas.

In the United States, wood is the primary material used for charcoal and is generally procured in the form of residue like sawmill slabs and edgings. Very few trees are harvested for charcoal production in North America.

The History and Business of Making Lump Charcoal

There was no organized program to manage and protect United States’ forests before 1875.  No organization existed to champion fledgling forestry efforts being developed to save and manage American forests. There was no government over-site for vast stretches of American trees and no fire protection. Not one professional forester was trained in the United States.

All that was about to change.

Forestry became an American profession at the end of the 19th Century and was first taught at Cornell University and Yale. These universities created the first college level forestry schools in the Western Hemisphere. University-taught foresters were primarily employed in the newly created United States Division of Forestry, later to be called the United States Forest Service.

A massive conservation movement took the Nation by storm and was instrumental in the creation of the first Timberland Reserve which later became know as Yellowstone National Park. Millions of acres of forest land were later purchased to make up one of the largest public forest ownerships in the World – our National Forests. We still enjoy these forests today…

Seven Events That Changed American Forestry
Forestry Schools in the United States
National Forests by State

Yellowstone Timber Reserve – National Park Service Illustration

Do not fear the chicken in the yellow fedora! If you have driven in or out of Wake Forest on S. Main Street, I am sure you have noticed the Tropical Picken Chicken signage and/or restaurant.  It’s tucked in right next door to Wake Forest morning staple, Daylight Donuts.  I love trying new places, but while I was [...]

The Town of Wake Forest Public Art Commission is seeking an artist or team of artists to create two or more site-specific artworks that offer compelling, contextually sensitive outdoor seating to visitors to downtown. The artworks will be located in two prominent outdoor spaces along White Street, in the heart of downtown Wake Forest. The [...]

The Wake Forest Cemetery Advisory Board is seeking local history buffs who enjoy sharing stories about colorful characters from the town’s past to serve as volunteer docents for this year’s Cemetery Walking Tour. The event is set for Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m. until noon. The Cemetery Advisory Board began sponsoring the tour to highlight the [...]

There’s more time to submit your photos of places around Wake Forest that matter to you. The Town of Wake Forest has extended its “This Place Matters” campaign until March 2 after the overwhelming success of the program. Residents have submitted dozens of photos of locations around town with descriptions of why each place matters [...]

Timber and tree owners have been hit especially hard the last several years by tornadoes, hurricanes, ice storms and other U.S. disasters.

Remember, trees damaged by fire or storm may entitle the owner to a federal tax deduction in the form of a “casualty loss”. This includes losses to both timber and shade trees. You still must attempt to salvage the trees for any remaining value to qualify. A forester can help you with this…

Guide for Preparing and Completing a Timber Sale
Developing a Timber Sale Contract

Casualty losses occur when sudden, unexpected and unusual events damage your trees. The first step toward claiming that loss is to document the damage. Take pictures to show the actual property damage before cleanup efforts begin. In most cases you have until April 15, 2010 to report a “casualty loss” of any 2009 damage.

A timber owner has to have made an honest attempt to salvage the damaged timber and accepted any price, even if forced to sell at a lower tree grade. If no buyer can be found, proof of any or all refusals should be documented. So, in theory, if a timber owner has documented the damage and attempted a sale, he/she may deduct all or part of the resulting “loss”.

Timber losses may be deducted up to the “adjusted basis” but not on the fair market value. That basis is generally what you originally paid for the timber plus any planting costs. The deduction cannot exceed that adjusted basis. Remember, you should find a registered forester to assess the tree or timber damage.

One cruel fact still remains. The deduction is based, not on timber’s fair market value but on your adjusted basis. Many, if not most, owners of timber have a very small basis because the property was purchased decades ago or the timber naturally reseeded or the basis has already been depleted. If your basis is determined to be zero then your loss deduction will be zero. File the deduction on IRS Form 4684, Section B to report the loss.

More on Casualty Loss:

Help with Determining Your Basis
Tax Treatment of Timber and Shade Tree Casualty Losses

Hurricane Damage – Photo by Philip Wilson

Harris Teeter is committed to providing its customers with outstanding quality and service at a great value, including in its Pharmacy business.  In 2012, the company invites shoppers to experience both the convenience of a Harris Teeter Pharmacy, as well as the familiarity of the company’s knowledgeable pharmacists during Harris Teeter’s Rx Punch Card Promotion. [...]

Time is running out to show your support for your favorite NFL team in the Super Bowl by donating to the Souper Bowl of Caring. Granite Falls Swim & Athletic Club has placed two bins on the premises to give folks a chance to help provide food for the North East Wake Backpack Buddies program. [...]

‘Biodiversity offsetting’ is likely to be included into the new NPPF to placate the countryside lobby. This angers me, and this blog by Sally Marsh describes much better than I can why - ”Biodiversity offsetting – just ask for the real … Continue reading →