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10-11-2002, 09:13 PM

(Daniel B. Wheeler) wrote in message
Perhaps I should have been clearer, Larry. Why are there _any_ taxes
with timber land?

Yes, there are many government programs which can reduce taxes. But
why are they there in the first place?

Tree farmers and timber managers are (I believe) mostly in the
business for the long term. I know that on my own 80 acres of
family-managed forest, I am unlikely to get any timber off the
property in my lifetime. That means the land will be clearcut after my
death, probably to pay for inheritance taxes.

Is this wise timber management by taxes?

This inheritance thing has been a big problem here in the past.
Recently the provincial government passed legislation exempting the
people inheriting the land from these taxes, if the land has a history
of, or future plans for, management. In the past though, as you
suggest, there was a lot of liquidation of assets (read clearcutting).

Scott