Standing timber, state statutes: NALC webinar to examine timber trespass laws and landowner protections
June 1, 2026
By Ramie Parsons
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Webinar reviews state timber trespass statutes and landowner remedies
- Examines enhanced damages, valuation disputes, unlawful harvesting issues
- Free registration available online
(367 words)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The National Agricultural Law Center will host an upcoming webinar, “Timber Trespass Statutes,” on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from noon-1 p.m. EDT or 11 a.m. to noon CDT.
The webinar will provide an overview of timber trespass statutes enacted by states across the country to address unlawful timber harvesting and protect rural landowners with valuable standing timber on their property.
Because forested lands are often remote and property boundaries may not be clearly marked, landowners can face significant challenges when timber is harvested without authorization. Many states have enacted timber trespass statutes that provide remedies for affected landowners, including enhanced damages designed to deter unlawful harvesting activity.
The webinar will examine how state laws address timber trespass claims, including the types of conduct covered under these statutes and the damages that may be awarded. The program will also discuss how laws distinguish between innocent and willful conduct, along with legal issues involving valuation disputes and boundary conflicts.
The program will be presented by Ross Pifer, clinical professor of law at Penn State Dickinson Law, where he serves as director of the Center for Agricultural and Shale Law and director of the Rural Economic Development Clinic.
“Timber trespass disputes can involve significant economic losses for landowners and raise difficult legal questions regarding damages and intent,” Pifer said. “This webinar will provide an overview of how states approach these disputes and the protections available through timber trespass statutes.”
Pifer teaches courses on agricultural law, oil and gas law, and property law. Prior to joining the faculty at Penn State Dickinson Law, he served as an attorney-advisor for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Office of the General Counsel. He has presented nationally and internationally on agricultural law and shale gas issues to audiences including attorneys, judges, legislators, landowners and government officials.
“Questions involving property rights, land use and natural resources are critically important to agricultural producers and rural landowners,” said Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center. “This webinar offers an opportunity to better understand how states address unlawful timber harvesting and the legal remedies available to landowners.”
Additional information about the webinar, including registration details, is available on the National Agricultural Law Center’s website.
For information about the NALC, visit nationalaglawcenter.org. The NALC is also on X, Facebook and LinkedIn. Subscribe online to receive NALC Communications, including webinar announcements, the NALC’s Quarterly Newsletter, and The Feed.
About the National Agricultural Law Center
Created by Congress in 1987, the National Agricultural Law Center serves as the nation’s leading source of agricultural and food law research and information. The NALC works with producers, agribusinesses, state and federal policymakers, lenders, Congressional staffers, attorneys, land grant universities, students, and many others to provide objective, nonpartisan agricultural and food law research and information to the nation’s agricultural community.
The NALC is a unit of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and works in close partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural Library.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three system campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact:
Ramie Parsons
National Agricultural Law Center
rparsons@uark.edu