Stumped Summer 2010
Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q:When can I inspect Tree Farms to the new Standards?
A: You can inspect Tree Farms to the 2010-2015 Standards if the landowners are prepared to be evaluated to these requirements and you have taken either the online refresher course or attended an inspector training workshop for the new Standards. We strongly recommend that all new Tree Farms go through an initial inspection to the 2010 Standards. All Tree Farms will be inspected to the 2010 Standards beginning January 1, 2011.
Q:What Standards do I use to inspect required sample properties this year?
A: All required sample inspections in 2010 must be conducted to the 2004 Standards (the Standards we used in 2009). Please use the current 004 forms that were distributed to the State Committees for the required sample 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?
A: You may conduct optional reinspections to the 2010 Standards as long as the landowner indicates they are ready to be evaluated under the new requirements and you have been trained to the new Standards. You may also continue to recertify landowners to the 2004 Standards through December 31, 2010.
Q:My state has not participated in a third-party certification assessment yet. Are Tree Farms in my state considered third-party certified?
A: State Tree Farm committees are third-party certified under one of four regional certificates. ATFS maintains these certificates by undergoing annual certification assessments in at least three states per region each year. Even if your state has not yet been visited as part of the annual assessments, Tree Farmers are still covered by the regional certificate and are considered third-party certified. The three states per region serve as examples of the other states in the region each year.
