Predicting Forestry Consultant Participation Based on Physical Characteristics of Timber Sales

The impacts of timber tract characteristics on the likelihood of participation by timber consultants are examined using a detailed data set on timber sales from North Carolina. General categories of determinants include tract values, the inherent uncertainty concerning tract values, and the costs ofpresale measurement (cruising) and contract enforcement services provided by consultants. Empirical results indicate that variables included as measures of inherent uncertainty and of presale measurement and contract enforcement costs have statistically significant impacts on consultant participation. Contrary to common wisdom, however, variables included to measure the impacts of tract value generally are not statistically significant.