Consulting foresters are professional foresters “whose independent business provides forestry services to landowners” (Questions about forestry and forestland? 2007).

The distinguishing factor between professional foresters and consulting foresters is consulting foresters are not associated with any timber buyer or timber buying establishments. Rather, consulting foresters work exclusively for the forest landowner by assisting in creating detailed contracts between timber buyers and sellers to ensure a fair deal and supplying landowners with accurate timber market prices.

Only consulting foresters can become members of the ACF.