log prices

[JustinC]

i am helping a buddy clear some land and we are looking to sell the wood. can you guys explain this chart about the price of the wood. I am having trouble understanding it thanks.
Northeast Timber Exchange, LLC » Saw Log Pricing

 

[hardmaple]

Just looked at the SPEC SHEET and to me there is really nothing to explain,maybe I misunderstood your question.What do you need explaining.

 

[jcl]

hard maple, could you answer a couple of mine. I've wanted to sell some large trees on my wood lot for veneer. I read the post and looked at the link.

1) 4 sides clear? just means no knots, or damaged ?

2) $/m whats the( M ) mean is it a symbol for board feet?

the good thing is the nearest one is only 60 miles from me so maybe ill finally do it. and put some extra money in my pockets this winter seen how we have very little snow so far!

 

[Dalmatian90]

See if this helps Justin & JCL:

http://www.uky.edu/~jmlhot2/courses/for480/usfs_grading.pdf

And M in the context of timber means 1,000 board feet, which is about 83 cu. ft. but actually measuring a log becomes partly a black art based on various "log rules" and different areas customarily use different rules to measure it.

 

[jcl]

thank's Dalmatian90

 

[OregonSawyer]

Just to add a little more... Once a log is "scaled" it will typically have some volume of it not accounted for due to defect (sweep, knots, shake, other various defects). I believe that is what Dalmatian was eluding to... So unless you really have experience grading/scaling logs it can be difficult to estimate the value on your own.

 

[imagineero]

Just to add a little more... Once a log is "scaled" it will typically have some volume of it not accounted for due to defect (sweep, knots, shake, other various defects). I believe that is what Dalmatian was eluding to... So unless you really have experience grading/scaling logs it can be difficult to estimate the value on your own.

+1.

In adition to that, the scaling rule used in your area may not be the same as used in another area. Regardless of which rule is used, scalers in your area should be familiar with the shortcomings of it and adjust the price per 1000bf accordingly. That's a separate issue again from what lumber is actually worth in your area ;-)

Bottom line; have a local forester cruise your stand before laying out $/time or starting your first chainsaw. Not everything is as simple as it seems, get their requirements and understand what lumber is useful to the mill you will be selling to, and how they like to receive it.

Shaun

 

[carguy]

As others have stated it would be in your best interest to hire a competent forester to evauluate the timber. Also note that these are delivered prices which means you should figure your capabilities with respect to an hourly rate of return on your logging. You might consider selling as standing timber to someone equiped for efficient logging.

 

[forestryworks]

As others have stated it would be in your best interest to hire a competent forester to evauluate the timber. Also note that these are delivered prices which means you should figure your capabilities with respect to an hourly rate of return on your logging. You might consider selling as standing timber to someone equiped for efficient logging.

Yup.

 

[JustinC]

Thank you guys i am starting to understand it better. When say like 1/3 or 1/2 heart max what does that mean

 

[Dalmatian90]

On some species heart & sap wood have very different properties and/or colors...and very different values. So the price posted is only valid if half or less of the volume is heartwood

In the context of the price list you posted, I believe sapwood is more valuable on maples then heartwood.

If you were selling Black Walnut, it's the opposite and it's the dark heartwood folks want most.

 

[JustinC]

alright i see thanks very much you guys are really helpful

 

[Oldtimer]

hard maple, could you answer a couple of mine. I've wanted to sell some large trees on my wood lot for veneer. I read the post and looked at the link.

1) 4 sides clear? just means no knots, or damaged ?

2) $/m whats the( M ) mean is it a symbol for board feet?

the good thing is the nearest one is only 60 miles from me so maybe ill finally do it. and put some extra money in my pockets this winter seen how we have very little snow so far!

I would be happy to look at your timber and tell you what you have. I expect nothing in return, just trying to help. I know what I am looking at, done this a long time.
I looked at the price sheet the OP posted.
Hardwood log prices are OK, but remember, that is a delivered in price. If you hire a trucker, he will charge "X" that comes off the top.
The White Pine pices are "by grade", and you'll lose out if you sell it that way.

 

[hardmaple]

I dont really like the looks of that price sheet.But every log buyer is different,the hardmaple logs ,back about 6 or 7 years ago was really,really hot stuff.For the top grade maple logs the high quality top grade is around 5 dollars a foot,or 5000.00 a thousand.Them prices are still in effect but the prices of wood has hit rock bottem,so they have tightened the scews on the quality.You really have to have a real beutiful top grade maple log now to get it into that spec.