WHAT SETS US APART FROM THE REST?

Perhaps the most important thing any landowner should determine is whether the person they hire is truly acting in their best interest. Because there is no licensing for foresters in some states anyone can use the title. So how do you tell the difference? Check credentials thoroughly. We at Anundson & O'Barto take pride in the fact we never buy or sell timber from our management clients, with whom our loyalty is strictly rooted.  We accept no kickbacks, take no money from third parties, and strive to maintain a strict, professional, ethical relationship with our clients at all times. All aspects of our transactions are fully disclosed--our clients receive appraisals in advance of sale attempts, copies of all bids, bonds, insurances, etc., and are welcome to attend all meetings relating to the sale of their timber. In fact, we encourage our clients to take an active role in the sale of their timber and recommend they thoroughly check our references and take the time to call our professional affiliations.

OUR HISTORY:

Dave and Tom joined forces in 1994, and have been working as partners since.  Our current management areas cover several states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and Southern New York State.  Both Tom and Dave are members of the Society of American Foresters, The Pennsylvania Forestry Association, and The Pennsylvania Council of Professional Foresters. These organizations' strict ethics and rules for membership provide a solid base and rigid guidelines for their practice.  The standards of their profession, when properly adhered to by its members, provide private landowners with an excellent source for professional representation.  For many landowners, a timber sale is a life-changing event, a project many older landowners may experience only one or twice in their lives.  Improper administration of that event can result in a bad experience and unsavory feelings.  Our goal is to eliminate the fear and hesitation associated with harvesting and managing timber resources.  

THE FORESTERS:

Tom Anundson has been "practicing" forestry in Pennsylvania since 1978, and now lives with his wife Deann, son Jacob, and daughter  Darby in Allegheny County near Pittsburgh, PA. A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, he has acquired many years' experience working with private landowners, industry, county, state and federal level agencies, and government. The difference between urban and suburban timber harvests is immense--this experience dealing with a myriad of situations assures his clients of sensible environmental decisions. His background insures a sound technical process in forest and environmental management.

Prior to his formal forestry education, he worked for many years on family-owned land. This work instilled both a land ethic and practical economic experience that has since benefited both him and his clients. Intense forestry ethics and goals were ingrained in him in the years prior to his formal college education. His role as a forester makes him acutely aware of the concerns of private landowners. Once the landowner's goals are determined, he strives to achieve those goals and manages the tract as his clients dictate.

Tom was employed as a forester's assistant through high school, in college was an employee of and subsequently a full partner with his father's forestry consulting firm in Northwestern Pennsylvania, and is now self-employed and practicing in Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, and Northern West Virginia and Maryland. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Science. While at Penn State, he assisted Penn State with the implementation of the Municipal Tree Restoration Project (MTRP) in Pennsylvania, and helped write the first municipal management plans used for over sixty  communities throughout Pennsylvania. This proves invaluable to landholders with interests in and around developed areas where conflicts with overhead power lines, structures, and infrastructures are possible. Also, Tom has been called as an expert witness in timber trespass cases in many counties across the state of Pennsylvania.  Providing such expert testimony has helped landowners recoup losses in timber theft and trespass cases.

His experience dealing with complex government restrictions and planning commissions, combined with implementing otherwise non-existent programs has led to a valuable working knowledge in the non-forest environment. In addition to developing plans for municipal trees, he has been an expert witness in the litigation of trespass cases where the damaged trees were non-forest, urban "shade" trees. His combined experience managing forest resources can help you meet the goals you have set. Because Tom has a four-year, Bachelor of Science, Forest Science degree from Penn State University to complete the forestry training he acquired from his father, you can be assured you will be provided with time-proven, expert assistance.

Dave O'Barto, resides with his wife Rochelle, sons Tate and Jace, and daughter Shae in Westmoreland County, in Latrobe. Also a Penn State University graduate with a four-year, Bachelor of Science, Forest Science degree, Dave began his career working as a forester and timber buyer for an independent sawmill. While at the mill, he learned the many insights into the industry side of forest management and timber purchasing from private landowners.

This experience helped Dave learn to better relate to the private landowner's needs, and to better help them understand the process of timber harvesting.   A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, he also has acquired many years' experience working with private landowners, industry, county, state and federal level agencies, and government. The difference between urban and suburban timber harvests is immense--this experience dealing with a myriad of situations assures his clients of sensible environmental decisions. His background insures a sound technical process in forest and environmental management.

While at Penn State, Dave worked for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry performing a myriad of duties. From timber harvest layout to performing  aerial reconnaissance of gypsy moth defoliation, he learned the many roles of government in forest management.  And, also while at Penn State, he worked for Dr. Todd Bowersox, one of the top professors at the School of Forest Resources, implementing various forest management projects on the school's vast and widely diverse timberlands. Again, this knowledge proves invaluable to his current clientele.  Also, Dave has been called as an expert witness in timber trespass cases in many counties across the state of Pennsylvania.  Providing such expert testimony has helped landowners recoup losses in timber theft and trespass cases.

Dave and Tom met on the steps of the Forestry building at Penn State.  Ironically, Dave's father is named Tom, and Tom's father is named Dave.  This made for a humorous first meeting, and Tom and Dave have been friends since.  Both understand the importance of loyalty and  both strive to maintain the same moral standards in their work ethic that they maintain in their daily lives.   

 Dave also covers all of Pennsylvania, Northern West Virginia and Maryland, and Eastern Ohio.  He travels extensively in his daily work, and especially enjoys meeting new people and implementing various projects for them.  Dave prides himself on his attention to detail, which also helps insure nothing is overlooked when he administers a timber sale or project for his clients.

     Please take a few moments to review our references (references).  Call our past clients, call our professional organizations.  Ask anyone you are interviewing to be your forester about their credentials.  Then, give us a call and we will be happy to visit your property  free of charge to discuss your options.  We look forward to possibly working with you in the near future !!