Wisconsin Statute Chapter 26.03 requires that all persons must file a cutting notice with the County Clerk prior to cutting any logs, poles, posts, pulpwood, Christmas trees, or other forest products from any privately owned forest land in Wisconsin. A cutting notice is not required for cutting fuelwood for personal home use, when clearing land for agricultural use or for cutting up to 5 Christmas trees on your property for your own use. The primary reason for this requirement is to ensure that all property taxes are up-to-date and paid in full before harvesting begins. The law also helps protect private woodlands from destructive harvesting practices. Cutting notice permit forms may be obtained by mail from the County Clerk's office or from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Each cutting notice filed is valid through December 31 of the year it was issued. Information needed to complete the permit includes description, section, township and range, land owner and logger's name and address. The County Clerk submits each cutting notice to the County Treasurer to determine if there are any unpaid taxes on the land. When permits are completed, they are returned to the applicant and copies are provided to Town Chairpersons and the area DNR Forester.
The Notice of Timber Cutting Form can be found online.