Logging Question

Whisperwindkat · #1 03/27/12, 06:35 AM

We have a couple acres of pine trees and several people have told us that we should have those trees logged. I don't think it is worth the money. The biggest trees are about 15 years old and there are hardwoods mixed in, although not many. At most there is 2 acres of these trees and about half are too small to be worth logging in my opinion. How much do you folks who know think this stand of trees might be worth. I am thinking that they are worth more to me in logs for my own use here on the farm. Thanks for any advice, Kat

goatlady · #2 03/27/12, 06:57 AM

I had my pine selectively logged several years ago. You can't hardly even tell they took loads and loads of logs out and I banked a bit over $5000 back then. The choice of logger is of PRIME importance. My guy was terrific and cleaned up nicely when downing the trees. If it was 12" diameter or bigger it was logable and salable in this area.

bignugly · #3 03/27/12, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whisperwindkat

We have a couple acres of pine trees and several people have told us that we should have those trees logged. I don't think it is worth the money. The biggest trees are about 15 years old and there are hardwoods mixed in, although not many. At most there is 2 acres of these trees and about half are too small to be worth logging in my opinion. How much do you folks who know think this stand of trees might be worth. I am thinking that they are worth more to me in logs for my own use here on the farm. Thanks for any advice, Kat

What can it hurt to find out? Maybe contact local extension office and see what they say. If you do decide, I would get more than one bid and references.

Forerunner · #4 03/27/12, 07:09 AM

Timber is down in price and demand right now, and if you already suspect that the logs may be worth more to you for use on the farm, I'd be tempted to agree with you.
In the mean time, they're only getting bigger= more valuable.

People like to tell people what they should do with a lot of things.

monkeybackfarm · #5 03/27/12, 07:34 AM

I have 5 acres of pine trees about 20 years old and have been told that its not worth logging. I need 10 acres before a logger will come in.

CesumPec · #6 03/27/12, 07:41 AM

at 15 yrs old, the trees are probably only merchantable as pulpwood. prices in AL, GA, FL are running about $9/ton. That's per TON. So those skinny trees that might weigh a few hundred pounds once limbed and topped are only worth one or three bucks and that's assuming you have a local paper mill. With just 2 acres of trees, you might find it difficult to to get a logger to bring in the equipment needed unless you can get neighbors to contribute additional acreage.

TNHermit · #7 03/27/12, 07:58 AM

i agree with forerunner. I never like to cut down a tree. if any are close by they are worth their weight in gold as air conditioning. Only reason i would cut them is when they would be big enough to build me a new house

As you go you might have to thin some but those could still be used fo lumber. I use a lot of forest cut and air dried pine. And its pretty lumber compared to what you get in the store.

agmantoo · #8 03/27/12, 10:48 AM

10 acres of 40 year pines will get you a logger on site. I suggest that you clean from underneath the pines and using a homemade baler bale and sale pine needles for grounds maintenance needs. The needles are worth more than the trees. There are plans on the internet for the manual balers which are cheap to build.

KMA1 · #9 03/27/12, 11:30 AM

whisperwindcat,

I don't know where in Alabama you are. I am in the northern part of the state. Folks are right on the money in that I strongly doubt you can find a logger that would come , even for 2 acres of saw timber. Unless he is maybe your next door neighbor and owes you a big favor. If these really are 15 years old, they probably do need thinned if you want to grow some logs you could use for something in the future. You will probably just have do the thinning cut yourself. I am doing the same thing on a couple of small areas on my farm. But at least that way you can have some saw timber that is usable( and bigger, prettier, and more productive woods for wildlife. I am just leaving my cut trees laying where they fall to recycle the nutrients. Most are 6 inches or less in diameter.

airotciv · #10 03/27/12, 04:17 PM

My DH works as an Engineer, that designs and builds machinery for lumber mills. Not a good time to log, unless your using the small trees for fire wood. There is no market, mostly for small stands. A neighbor down the road, bought a lovely home, with about 2 acers of 50+ year old Douglas Firs. He logged it 5 years ago and got $3000.00. Now as the DH would say, there may be a small milling operation that would want to log it.

o&itw · #11 03/27/12, 05:14 PM

"Logging" implies saw boards which may not be the case.

15 year old trees aren't usually going to be large enough for lumber, but they will large enough for treated fence posts and landscaping timbers. If they are thick, or planted trees, they need to be thinned anyway (selective for spacing taking the smallest trees). What a logger will or will not not do in a particular area is dependent on a lot of things.

I would suggest contacting the state or country forester in your area. In many states, they will come out, give advice, help you with a contract so you don't get taken or get your land destroyed, etc.

InvalidID · #12 03/27/12, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forerunner

Timber is down in price and demand right now, and if you already suspect that the logs may be worth more to you for use on the farm, I'd be tempted to agree with you.
In the mean time, they're only getting bigger= more valuable.

People like to tell people what they should do with a lot of things.

This right here I think is the best answer. I live in timber country and a lot of folks are holding out for better times. I own some timberland myself and I refuse to log anything with the offers I'm seeing right now. There is a tract I'd consider thinning, but I'd pretty much break even if I did it today.

The difference between corn and timber is timber can wait for harvest.

Stephen in SOKY · #13 03/27/12, 07:01 PM

Odd, our prices are quite good. No one ever remembers poplar being at 60 cents/ft and some are getting .65 now. I cut a couple of walnuts today as my favorite walnut buyer will be about three miles down the road with his loader next week.

bja105 · #14 03/27/12, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen in SOKY

Odd, our prices are quite good. No one ever remembers poplar being at 60 cents/ft and some are getting .65 now. I cut a couple of walnuts today as my favorite walnut buyer will be about three miles down the road with his loader next week.

Stephen, what kind of Poplar? I have loads of Tulip (Yellow) Poplar that I would like to log.

Danaus29 · #15 03/27/12, 07:14 PM

Don't you just love people who tell you what you should be doing with your land and trees?
What do YOU want to do with them?

indianjoe · #16 03/28/12, 05:49 AM

Some of your best ideas can be influenced with county forester advice. Its free and they have no interest either way. Lumber prices are poor now and trees grow everyday, barring unseen events (beetles, wind).

Whisperwindkat · #17 03/28/12, 07:55 AM

Thanks everyone, you pretty much confirmed what I thought. I just wish everyone would leave me alone about it. Blessings, Kat

Danaus29 · #18 03/28/12, 01:42 PM

You could always come back with, "if you want to have some trees logged then buy some wooded land and have it logged. I LIKE my trees and you can go kiss off." Of course, that's what I would say.

edcopp · #19 03/28/12, 04:06 PM

Growing timber is better than money in the bank, a lot better.

jwal10 · #20 03/28/12, 08:55 PM

15 years old? Not really big enough for saw logs. Were they planted? They are probably talking about having it thinned. Trees too close together won't grow as fast as when thinned right. All are held back, opening it up will let what are left to grow quicker. 2 acres not worth it for a commercial logger....James