Network News: Inspectors Archive  filter by category: Stumped

Stumped November 2018

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: With Thanksgiving around the corner, my landowners have expressed interest in attracting turkeys to their property. How do they do that? 

Stumped April 2018

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can an inspector perform inspections across state lines?

Inspectors Corner

Online Training Eligibility Update

In a continued effort to support and strengthen our ATFS Inspector corps, we have responded to concerns raised by state committees about in-person inspector training limitations related to the Inspector Training Policy.

Stumped March 2018

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If an inspector has become inactive, how can he/she be reactivated?

A: If an inspector has been trained to the 2015-2020 Standards, but has since become inactive, he/she should complete the online refresher to reactivate his/her status and begin performing inspections again. Online training is available under each Inspector’s account at www.atfsdatabase.org. 

Stumped February 2018

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are good strategies for Tree Farmers to ensure that their timber is acknowledged to be certified by their local mills? 

Stumped January 2018

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are alternative methods to the app, of submitting an inspection 004 form?

Stumped December 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are alternative methods to the app, of submitting an inspection 004 form?

Stumped November 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What type of specifications can be addressed in a landowner’s contract for forestry activities?

Stumped October 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is forest health just about invasive species? 

Stumped September 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I have just taken a classroom Inspector Training course to become an active inspector, now what?

Stumped August 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can an ATFS Inspecting Forester help ensure that a Tree Farmer’s conformance to the Standards with their reforestation/afforestation efforts?

Stumped July 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where are the ATFS policies posted for inspectors?

Stumped June 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What information is required on a Tree Farm map?

Stumped May 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: As an inspector, how often do I need to complete an inspection or take a refresher training course to stay active?

Stumped April 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How Can ATFS Inspectors and Tree Farmers be recognized for their outstanding work?

Stumped March 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are you taking advantage of the SAF CFEs that are available based on your involvement with ATFS?

Stumped February 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: In the database, what is the difference between inactive and archived status of inspectors?

Stumped January 2017

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do you have questions about completing or submitting the 004 inspection form?

Stumped November 2016

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I easily break up multiple Tree Farms in the ATFS Database?

Stumped October 2016

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is ATFS looking for in the Notes Section of the 004 Inspection Form?

Stumped September 2016

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are phone interviews acceptable for inspections?

Stumped August 2016

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When Should a Management Plan Be Updated?

Stumped July 2016

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q:As an inspector, how often do I need to complete an inspection or take a refresher training course to stay active? 

Stumped June 2016

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between a Forest of Recognized Importance (FORI) and a Special Site?

Stumped Spring 2014

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: New landowners just purchased a Tree Farm that has been in the program for 50 years. The new landowners wish to remain in the program. Can they use the old owner’s management plan, implement those recommendations and keep the Tree Farm number and 50-year status? Or do they need to start from scratch?

Stumped Fall 2013

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I’m doing a re-inspection with a landowner who has been in the program for years. He is very proud of his stewardship and proudly displays the Tree Farm sign. However, his management plan is about 10 years old and is probably due for an update. It is also missing a couple of the required elements for certification, including threatened and endangered species, invasive species and special sites. The landowner has committed to updating his plan next year. Should the property be decertified?

Stumped Summer 2013

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am helping a landowner prepare for a timber sale. In developing the contracts with loggers, are there any insurance considerations or other contractor requirements under the American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) Standards?

Stumped Spring 2013

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: One of my landowner clients owns a small family business and conducts frequent annual harvests. Is this ownership considered nonindustrial? Is American Tree Farm System® certification right for them?

Stumped Spring 2012

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I work in a state where State Best Management Practices (BMPs) are voluntary. Do landowners have to implement BMPs to be ATFS Certified?

Stumped Summer 2012

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: One of my clients owns several scattered parcels in a county; can I certify them all as a single Tree Farm?

Stumped Spring 2011

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Can I conduct a phone interview for a required inspection?

Q:As an inspector, what sort of evidence should I look for to see if the Tree Farmer has met the Standards’ indicators?

Q: One of my clients has a Tree Farm of more than 10,000 acres. How can I keep them in the Tree Farm program even though all Tree Farms over 10,000 acres are no longer eligible for the State Tree Farm Program?

Q:My training as an inspector expired. How can I take update my training?

Stumped Spring 2011

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q:What does it mean for a management plan to “address” resources elements such as forest health, soil, water, wood and fiber production, threatened and endangered species, special sites, invasive species, integrated pest management and high conservation value forests?

Q:As an inspector, what sort of evidence should I look for to see if the Tree Farmer has met the Standards’ indicators?

Q:How can I get information from Tree Farm on a more regular basis?

Q:What are high conservation value forests and how can Tree Farmers tell if they have one on their property?

Q:How can a Tree Farmer “consider” integrated pest management in their management to control pest, pathogens, and unwanted vegetation?

Stumped Winter 2010

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q:What does it mean for a management plan to “address” resources elements such as forest health, soil, water, wood and fiber production, threatened and endangered species, special sites, invasive species, integrated pest management and high conservation value forests?

Q:As an inspector, what sort of evidence should I look for to see if the Tree Farmer has met the Standards’ indicators?

Q:How can I get information from Tree Farm on a more regular basis?

Q:What are high conservation value forests and how can Tree Farmers tell if they have one on their property?

Q:How can a Tree Farmer “consider” integrated pest management in their management to control pest, pathogens, and unwanted vegetation?

Stumped Summer 2010

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q:When can I inspect Tree Farms to the new Standards?

Q:What Standards do I use to inspect required sample properties this year?

Q:My state still does the five-year reinspections for each Tree Farm. What Standards do I use to inspect these Tree Farms this year?

Q:My state has not participated in a third-party certification assessment yet. Are Tree Farms in my state considered third-party certified?

Stumped Fall 2009

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q:How can I get information from Tree Farm on a more regular basis?

Q:When will the new Standards be released?

Q:Will I have to be retrained when the new Standards are released?

Q:Who do I contact for information and notice of activities happening in my state?

Stumped Summer 2009

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q:What type of land is eligible to be certified as a Tree Farm?

Q:Does ATFS have a system through which mills can verify a load of logs from ATFS certified lands?

Q: If I talk to a landowner about their property but do not visit it, can our conversation count as a reinspection?

Stumped Spring 2008

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q:With the implementation of the required sample, I’ve been assigned an inspection for a property I have recently inspected. Is an over-the-phone recertification acceptable?

Q:I know somebody who'd like to become a Tree Farm inspector. Who do I refer them to?

Q:As a member of ATFS, is a landowner required to cut trees?

Stumped Spring 2006

Stumped? Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How do I know if I need to take a refresher course?

Question: I’ve been assigned to inspect a property I’ve inspected less than 5 years ago. Why is that?

Stumped Spring 2005

Answers to Inspectors' Most Frequently Asked questions

Question: I have completed all my assigned reinspections, what do I do now?

Question: What if I have suggestions for the national office?

Stumped Fall 2004

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I’ve read over the new Standards several times, and to me, it seems more rigorous than the old Standards. How am I supposed to tell Tree Farmers they aren’t doing a good enough job now when the last time they were inspected, they were doing fine?

Stumped Spring 2004

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Heritage Tree Farm Program?

Stumped Spring 2003

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: As an ATFS Inspector, am I responsible for writing forest management plans for the Tree Farms I inspect?

Q: Do I have to wait five years to reinspect a Tree Farm?

Stumped Spring 2002

Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does a management plan have to be redrawn every five (5) years?

Q: How do you get a Qualified Inspector certificate and wallet cards?