December 11, 2020 URBANA, Ill. – There comes a time when every forest landowner gets a knock on their door. Someone wants to buy their timber on a handshake deal. “I get calls from landowners looking for information on the harvesting process and rates,” says Duane Friend, University of Illinois Extension Energy and Environmental Stewardship Educator. “But by that time harvesting has already started and it’s too late to help.” A landowner may only sell timber once or twice in their lifetime. Knowing in advance what the timber is worth and what should and should not be harvested puts the landowner in a much better position.