Managing your woodlot or property trees involves different professionals and levels of regulation. Use this overview to determine who to contact and which rules apply to your land.
Who Does What?
- CT State Service Foresters (Public Employees)State Service Foresters work for the CT DEEP. They provide guidance and technical assistance but do not conduct timber sales or private contracting. They are often the best first contact if you are unsure where to begin. Find and contact your Service Forester →
- Consulting Foresters (Private Professionals)Independent professionals who earn their living managing forestland for woodland owners. They represent your interests during timber sales, mark timber, and supervise harvesting to ensure sustainable outcomes. Search the Forester database →
- Certified Forest PractitionersLicensed by CT DEEP, these professionals work under contract with landowners to prepare management plans, oversee timber harvests, and assist with tax programs (PA-490). View the Practitioner Directory →
- Arborists (Tree Care)Arborists focus on the health of individual trees in residential or urban settings. They provide pruning, removal, planting, and health assessments rather than managing whole forest systems. Tips for finding an Arborist →
Licensing & Certification
The level of license or certification in Connecticut determines what a professional can legally do on your land:
| Type | Scope of Authority |
|---|---|
| Certified Forester | Highest level. Can design management plans, design cutting plans, and represent landowners in sales. Only a CT Certified Forester can prepare a forest management plan and provide you with the necessary documentation for classification under Public Act 490. |
| Supervising Harvester | Can supervise harvests and mark trees, but cannot prepare management plans or give silvicultural advice. |
| Products Harvester | Can participate in harvests only. Cannot mark trees, sell timber, or prepare plans. |
| Licensed Arborist | Must hold a Commercial Arborist License for all tree care services in CT. |
Special trainings are available for Audubon's bird-friendly foresters and similar endorsements.
What Rules Apply?
Always confirm regulations, check municipal offices, review private covenants, and keep records of any permits or notifications before removing trees or conducting a harvest. Rules typically apply at four primary tiers:
- ✓
Federal: Protections for endangered species, wetlands, and waterways. - ✓
State: Forest Practices Act, PA-490 tax programs, and timber harvest notifications. - ✓
Municipal: Local tree ordinances, zoning, and inland wetlands permits. - ✓
Private: Homeowners Association (HOA) rules or deed restrictions.
