Protecting Your Investment
Protecting Your Investment
Stewarding woodlands isn’t just about the trees and wildlife—it’s about the people involved, too. Dealing with taxes, figuring out the laws related to woodlands, and making a plan for what will happen to the land when you or your loved ones pass away are not as fun as listening to songbirds, foraging for ramps, or hiking to the old bur oak. But these less glamorous topics are important to understand so that you can enjoy all the things you love about your woodland for years to come. Explore these webpages to learn more.

Legacy planning
Creating a plan for how to pass your woodland to the next generation is a process that involves figuring out your goals, holding a family meeting, creating and gathering important documents, and more.

Taxes and laws related to woodlands
Several important laws relate to woodland property. Woodlands also affect your state and federal taxes.
If you have feedback on this webpage, fill out this form. If you have questions about protecting your woodland investment, contact:

Kris Tiles
Forestry & Wildlife Program Manager
kris.tiles@wisc.edu
715-261-1254
Page written by Scott Hershberger and Kris Tiles (UW–Madison Extension). Last updated April 2026.
Additional photo credits:
- Multi-generational family: Andrew Teece Creative