She said the forests have been in debt for some time which council was "anxious" to clear.
Ms Wilde said the forestry market fluctuated and was not a reliable investment for council.
She said the real issue was whether or not local government should run commercial investments.
"Forestry is not our core business - the trees were planted to control soil erosion - so the prudent thing to do is remove the risk of long-term exposure to the ups and downs of world timber prices.
"A sale of cutting rights up front will also have the added benefit of allowing us to pay off debt."
Ms Wilde said nearly 60 per cent of submitters during the long-term plan public consultation process favoured the upfront sale of the trees, instead of selling it after the harvest.
Council expects to prepare sale documents by June next year and receive tenders by September. A sale could be completed by June 2014.
Council, as landowner, holds carbon credits through the emission trading scheme and could choose to pass on future credits to the successful tenderer, Ms Wilde said.
The forests are mainly pine trees, with macrocarpa, douglas fir and eucalyptus.
Carterton mayor Ron Mark said it was understandable council would want to sell the cutting rights to make back some money.
"That's not to say it's in the economical interest of the Wairarapa," he said.