PRESENT STATUS OF FOREST TAXATION 477 



(c) The amount of the forest commutation tax for each year of the 

 five-year period is apportioned to the various woodlots in proprtion to 

 the stumpage value of the trees growing thereon at the time of classifi- 

 cation, and the several amounts constitute the forest commutation tax 

 for which the respective tracts are liable for that year. 



(d) Except for certain reductions as a result of destruction by fire 

 or otherwise, each tract of woodlot classified on or before April i, 1919, 

 shall thereafter be liable for the same amount of forest commutation 

 tax as was levied in the year 19 19. 



(e) Upon tracts classified as woodlot after April i, 1919, the annual 

 forest commutation tax shall be the amount of tax assessed and levied 

 upon such tract, exclusive of the buildings thereon, in the last levy 

 prior to the date of classification, less the amount of forest land tax 

 assessed and levied in the next assessment subsequent to the date of 

 classification. 



Forest Product Tax 



Lands classified as above noted are subject to a forest product tax 

 which is levied and collected as follows : 



(a) Owners of classified lands are required to report annually to the 

 assessors the gross amount and stumpage value of all wood cut from 

 the land during the year, as well as the gross amount of all other prod- 

 ucts of the land and such other income derived from the land as does 

 not constitute an element in determining the value of the land for the 

 purpose of assessing the forest land tax. 



(b) In case of the cutting and subsequent removal of timber or 

 wood in excess of an amount valued at $25, owners are required, at 

 least ten days before the removal, to notify the assessors of the in- 

 tended removal and to give the amount and stumpage value of the 

 same. The assessors may then examine the wood and estimate its 

 value. In. case of disagreement concerning the value, the matter may 

 be adjusted by the State forester, or upon request shall be arbitrated 

 by three disinterested persons — one chosen by the owner, one by the 

 assessors, and the third by the two thus chosen. Notification of as- 

 sessors is not required for the removal of timber to the amount of $25 

 by owners other than corporations, provided the wood is for personal 

 use or for the use of the tenant of the land on which the timber is 

 located. 



(c) Forest product taxes are levied and assessed annually upon the 

 gross value of all wood, other products and other income as above as- 

 certained, at rates varying from one per cent for the period prior to 

 1919 to five per cent for the five-year period, 1934-1939. For each 



