THSFNR1303.pdf

This is a timber sale map and solicitation document from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service, for a multi-stand first thinning operation at Tate's Hell State Forest in Franklin and Liberty Counties, Florida. The project encompasses approximately 5,372 acres designated for harvest across three years, with a requirement for the successful bidder to harvest 70,000 tons of timber annually. The timber consists of 25-46-year-old planted pine stands that will be thinned using a take two rows, leave three rows approach with selective tree removal to achieve a residual basal area of 50-60 square feet per acre. The harvest prescription targets removal of diseased, deformed, suppressed, and forked trees first, followed by intermediate and co-dominant trees as needed. Total estimated volumes are 195,575 tons of pine pulpwood, 114,593 tons of pine chip-n-saw, and 54,682 tons of pine sawtimber. Sealed bids will be opened on January 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST at 865 Geddie Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32304. Interested parties should contact Tyler Gilbert at (850) 697-0024 for complete bid information.

The timber sale is from a SFI Certified Forest (Certificate Number BVC-SFIFM-700005), indicating sustainable forestry management standards. The Forester-in-Charge retains authority to adjust harvest prescriptions and target basal areas as needed during implementation. The Florida Forest Service reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any irregularities in bids received. The attached map identifies the specific sale unit (THSFNR1303) comprising 369 acres with an estimated harvest yield of 24,861 tons for the mapped area, though the total sale encompasses significantly more acreage across multiple stands.