USDA Forest Service Releases 2024 Tax Year Tips for Forest Landowners
Private forest landowners need to recognize that not all woodlands are the same when it comes to Federal income taxes. While you might only consider timber-related Federal taxes when you have a timber sale, each forestry activity you conduct can have tax implications. Generally, all income received is taxable unless explicitly excluded by tax law. Understanding the forest-related provisions and integrating tax planning into your forest management can help lower your tax.
The US Forest Service, in conjunction with the universities of Florida and Georgia, has a new 4-page publication that summarizes a variety of tax situations and provides examples to help landowners identify what is relevant to them. Read the publication here.
Did You Know? March 21st is International Day of Forests
The United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as the International Day of Forests in 2012. The day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. The theme for 2025 is “forests and food,” recognizing the crucial roles forests play in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. Although forests are prized for providing habitat and wood products, they are also essential for food production around the world; ask anyone who enjoys coffee, chocolate, maple syrup, and much more!
Maryland Passes 1 Million Trees Planted
Due to a substantial increase in tree plantings for 2024 versus 2023, the state of Maryland is significantly closer to meeting the 5 Million Trees Initiative by 2031. Before the close of 2024, the one millionth tree was planted as part of a project in western Maryland, according to data from the state DNR. Overall, according to a press release, “The rate of tree plantings for the initiative increased by more than 100% from 2023 to 2024.”
March 2024 was the busiest month of the Initiative so far, with 197,000 trees planted. By the summer, the state had also planted nearly 58,000 trees in underserved urban areas, which is a major part of the overall planting effort and a way to provide urban areas with tree-related benefits such as shade, cleaner air, and additional wildlife. This amounts to 12% progress toward the total goal toward the goal of 500,000 trees in urban areas.
Want to Join the Effort? Become a Maryland Tree Steward
Maryland Tree Stewards is an initiative from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the Maryland Forest Service and local partners developed to promote, enhance and increase tree canopy coverage in our urban and suburban environments. The program enables Marylanders to connect to their local trees through planting and caring for their trees. The Alliance provides workshops for individuals looking to becoming tree stewards. Additionally, several organizations across the state have active Maryland Tree Stewards groups.
Branching Out, Vol. 33, no. 1 (Winter 2025)
Branching Out is the free, quarterly newsletter of the Woodland Stewardship Education program. For more than 30 years, Branching Out has kept Maryland woodland owners and managers informed about ways to develop and enhance their natural areas, how to identify and control invasive plants and insects, and about news and regional online and in-person events.