For Inspectors

How do you enroll a new tree farm? First, ask yourself these simple questions:
  • Does the landowner have 10 or more contiguous acres of forested land?
  • Does the landowner wish to enroll in Tree Farm and manage to its higher standard?

If you answer yes to both, then:

  1. Ensure that the management plan meets the 2021 Standards. You may need to complete an addendum or update the plan with required information. (See additional items required to enroll in tree farm and/or management plan addendum.) Since the 2021 Standards roll-out, the US Fish & Wildlife Service has included the Northern long-eared bat on the T&E list. We have developed a paragraph that addresses the NLB as a threatened and endangered species as well as Forests of Recognized Importance (currently none in Vermont). You may download this document and append it to a management plan for compliance to the standard. We also have a landowner objectives checklist that you may download and use as an attachment to the management plan.
  2. Visit the property to verify that activity on the ground matches activity specified in the plan.
  3. Complete an initial inspection 021 using the writable pdf and submit via email to info@vermontwoodlands.orgRemember that original handwritten signatures are no longer required; typed-in signatures are preferred for ease of processing.

The Vermont tree farm administrator will assign a tree farm number, assign the inspection to you, set up the landowners and property in the national database, and submit the 021. Once the 021 has been submitted and accepted, the landowner will receive a welcome letter and copy of the inspection report via mail. You will also receive a copy for your files.


Is your landowner Transitioning From Use Value to Tree Farm & NRCS?

Many Use Value Appraisal management plans already meet Tree Farm and NRCS plan standards. See Additional items for Tree Farm and NRCS cost share eligible plans for properties already enrolled in UVA

Read more about the opportunity to enroll your clients in Tree Farm.


Tree Farm foresters are required to complete at least one action every two years and we will be monitoring actions more closely in order to conform. If you do not intend to provide Tree Farm services, then we suggest you not renew your Tree Farm forester certification.

New Inspections: All new landowners and properties entering the ATFS program must be inspected to the 2021 Standards utilizing the revised Tree Farm Inspection Record (021 form).

Required Sample Inspections: All 2021 Required Sample inspections must be inspected to the 2021 Standards utilizing the revised Tree Farm Inspection Record (021 form).

Reinspections: All re-inspections of landowners and properties currently certified in the ATFS program must be inspected to the 2021 Standards utilizing the revised Tree Farm Inspection Record (021 form).


Check out the 2021 ATFS Management Plan Addendum! ATFS developed this Addendum as an easy-to-use resource to help you ensure that your management plan reflects the goals you have for your land, assesses the current health of your woods, and aligns your plan with the Standards.

The addendum is also a great tool to highlight your commitment to good forestry and provides additional resources to ensure that you have considered all the important elements that go into sustainable forestry, including:

  • Forest Health
  • Soil and Water
  • Proper Use of Pesticides
  • Prescribed Burning
  • Wildlife
  • Forests of Recognized Importance
  • Special Sites

Inspection Form Options:

The new 021 inspection form must be submitted electronically for uploading into the ATFS Database. The process using this form as a writable PDF remains the same.

Editable PDF of 021 Form

Attendees at 2012 Inspectors Field Day.

Still have questions as an Inspector? Be sure to visit the American Tree Farm System’s Inspector’s Corner page, which includes Inspector FAQs, webinars, and other helpful resources.

Nominate a Vermont Tree Farmer of the Year! Applications due by 10/1 yearly for the following year.