Welcome to Ester & Laidlaw Forestry
Ester & Laidlaw Forestry, Inc. is a forestry consulting firm located in Northwestern Pennsylvania, consulting firm which was founded in 1978. With jobs including timber harvests, timber sales, management plans, market timber plans and improvement plans, Ester & Laidlaw Forestry, Inc. is a strong choice for your forestry needs. We manage timberlands following sustainable forestry practices. We have years of experience and excellent customer service that are a strong addition to our qualifications.
The timber industry is heavily reliant on other markets, including the housing industry. When the housing market is up, and construction is high, the demand for quality hardwoods also rises, while a down housing market then lowers the demand for hardwoods. Another large reliant factor is the current trends in the housing market, for instance, the demand for certain types of hardwoods. While this can go in trends, ranging from Red Oak, Black Cherry, or even Sugar Maple, the current market sets the demand.
While markets may range, the work and dedication to the craft from Ester and Laidlaw do not. We are a forestry consulting business that works with landowners in managing their property to improve the property for timber, wildlife, aesthetics, and enjoyment. The key thing to understand about a consulting forester is this: a consulting forester does not work for a sawmill and does not purchase timber from landowners. A consulting forester should work only for the landowner and should be paid a commission of the sale or by some other terms as discussed between the landowner and the forester. If a person calls them a consulting forester, but offers to buy your timber, then it could lead to a conflict of interest and divided loyalties. At Ester & Laidlaw Forestry Inc, we represent only landowners and we do not attempt to purchase any timber. Our objective is to help the landowner meet their goals, but also maximize their income through the competitive bidding process of over 100 sawmills and timber buyers. When we provide estimates, these are based on what we believe the timber is worth from our professional knowledge of the markets.
Our coverage area is extensive with most of our work being in northwest Pennsylvania, northeast Ohio, and southwest New York. We will travel throughout these states, depending on the job.
We incorporate many special requests into our sales. One popular request is the use of horses in skidding the timber on relatively flat properties. The horses help cut down on the disturbance to the ground and usually result in less damage to residual trees. Other requests include clearing areas for foodplots or installing a trail system to make the property more accessible for use following the sale.
We believe in building a good relationship with our clients and do our best to ensure that the property is managed to best fit our client’s goals and interests. Most of our work is word of mouth, so we recognize the value in listening to what our clients want to see done with their property. We then bring in our expertise to see that the landowner’s goals are met and maximum income is realized through good marketing.
The best way to help someone is to walk their property and decide what service will best fit their needs. Often we do not charge landowners for this brief consultation and guidance.
Ester & Laidlaw caters to any clients needs and desires, regardless of size or scope of the project. No request is too small, and Ed works with every client to make sure that they are delivered with only the highest quality work, and no details are spared.