logging questions

[slowp]

Oh, and you can mark timber using snowshoes to get around on. Each Wisconsin marker carried a canoe paddle. It was jammed into the snow along the base of the tree and paint was squirted down that hole to get a stump mark on the stump. Stump marks are part of accountability. When the rest of the tree is skidded, the stump will show the mark so you can check. That's assuming the logger isn't dishonest enough to mark additional trees to steal.

Timber fallers--guys who have worked for years cutting with chainsaws, can be good timber markers. Our contracts started having the timber purchaser responsible for marking with a description on what the prescription was. Some timber fallers from Montana did good work and enjoyed walking around without having to carry all their falling stuff along. They were excellent.

 

[jltrent]

Had about 30 loads logged (big tandem truck load to the top) It was easy to get to, so we split 60-40 with me getting 60. The mill cut the checks for each of us and provided each log on the invoices. The guy did a good job. It was his equipment, and he took the risks of a very dangerous job. All the money trees were not cut then, the #1 Walnut, white Oak, maple, etc. He cut the money trees latter and had several people bid on them. Several real nice walnut logs went around $3000 a piece.

 

[trialanderror]

This will be the 6th harvest, twice in my time, maybe a 3rd depending how this conversation goes Saturday.

Yes, there's been some sloppy work, and it shows to this day. I have my reasons of being skiddish and hesitant.

 

[Jess562xp]

All do respect you’re the red flag. You want access through some one else’s land. You want timber marked (which is fair) but time is money. You’re taking out previous bad work on him wanting BMP’s used when in fact maybe BMP’s were used in the past, practices do change. You want certain trees cut only, that’s fair. It costs money to mobilize and move in from the sounds of it you don’t have enough timber you want cut to make it worth while for someone else to move in. Calling him shady and needs to F off.

Hire a consultant forester and get a real cruise. Then put it out to bid and let the best man win. Are you going to pay your neighbor friend to use their road to access your timber in the future? Are you going to allow for a yard on your property in the future or would it be easier to use the current yard he’s already setup on? That’s what he’s thinking about I guarantee.

I do truly mean this respectfully but I’d never work with you. I can only imagine the headaches before, during, and after. To unrealistic already and have barely even talked to the guy. You sound like you’re getting worked up over what if scenarios and that never works out well

 

[trialanderror]

If you were here and had conversations with us, you'd Post differently.

But you were here and listened to it all. I know nothing, and everyone else knows more.

And for the record, its plenty of stumpage, and ive used neighbor access daily for everything beyond lumber harvesting, and I have a 20 acre field the logger can play in for elbow room

Again, you already know this. My bad.

 

[Jess562xp]

You don’t want your timber cut.

Best of luck

 

[bwalker]

Poplar(probably aspen or cottonwood in reality, as both are called poplar or popple in MI)is weed tree in MI. Good for pulp only.
Of course he wants cut some higher value stuff to make it worth his time.
What you really need to do is pay a forester and develop a plan. Then use a logger that the forester is comfortable with to do the work. I suggest logging in late January or February. The ground gets less torn up and the regen pops up quicker

 

[slowp]

Do they still "peel the popple"?

 

[bwalker]

Do they still "peel the popple"?

My mentor, now dead did peel popple using a truck leaf spring sharpened and shaped for the purpose. They also cut logs to something like 3.5'. This was in the 1950's or early 60's.
Now most of it is cut by a feller buncher or a processor.

 

[slowp]

My mentor, now dead did peel popple using a truck leaf spring sharpened and shaped for the purpose. They also cut logs to something like 3.5'. This was in the 1950's or early 60's.
Now most of it is cut by a feller buncher or a processor.

When I worked in Up Nort' Wisconsin, you know, loggers moved onto Popple ground in late winter or early spring? when the sap was starting to run. The bark was easily jarred loose and would come off when run through a processor. Da popple was peeled and a higher price paid for it. That was Peeling da popple when I lived there. Was wondering if there is still a market for that.

Being from this part of the country, I often kidded those loggers and told them that they should get real log trucks that can easily be turned around, like we have "out west".

 

[bwalker]

When I worked in Up Nort' Wisconsin, you know, loggers moved onto Popple ground in late winter or early spring? when the sap was starting to run. The bark was easily jarred loose and would come off when run through a processor. Da popple was peeled and a higher price paid for it. That was Peeling da popple when I lived there. Was wondering if there is still a market for that.

Being from this part of the country, I often kidded those loggers and told them that they should get real log trucks that can easily be turned around, like we have "out west".

I'm not aware of any mills in Upper MI taking short wood or peeled logs anymore. They use debarkers now.
Log trucks are another story. Wisconsin has puny loggers trucks. The ones in Michigan are some of the biggest in the country.

 

[sean donato]

I'm not aware of any mills in Upper MI taking short wood or peeled logs anymore. They use debarkers now.
Log trucks are another story. Wisconsin has puny loggers trucks. The ones in Michigan are some of the biggest in the country.

that's not a lie. All their trucks are heavy haulers.

 

[slowp]

that's not a lie. All their trucks are heavy haulers.

But empty PNW trucks can turn around in tight spots. Back up to the loader easily. They are designed for steep roads and tight turns.

Pictures of trucks cleaned up for a parade.

 

[bwalker]

that's not a lie. All their trucks are heavy haulers.

But empty PNW trucks can turn around in tight spots. Back up to the loader easily. They are designed for steep roads and tight turns.

Pictures of trucks cleaned up for a parade.View attachment 1208483View attachment 1208486

Tree length hauling doesn't happen on MI.

 

[BeatCJ]

Those aren't tree length. 2 or 3 40 foot logs in those trees

 

[sean donato]

But empty PNW trucks can turn around in tight spots. Back up to the loader easily. They are designed for steep roads and tight turns.

Pictures of trucks cleaned up for a parade.View attachment 1208483View attachment 1208486

I've seen trailers like that, just not used for hauling logs. Good idea.

 

[bwalker]

Those aren't tree length. 2 or 3 40 foot logs in those trees

They would be in MI! Timber there simply doesn't grow that tall.

 

[BeatCJ]

I know, just being an a$$. I suspect Montana has the same style trucks and logs as in the PNW.

I travelled to the Carolinas for some training on a pull through delimber 30 years ago, and I found the differences and the similarities the most enjoyable part of the week.

 

[bwalker]

I know, just being an a$$. I suspect Montana has the same style trucks and logs as in the PNW.

I travelled to the Carolinas for some training on a pull through delimber 30 years ago, and I found the differences and the similarities the most enjoyable part of the week.

They do from what I have noticed, but I don't live in an area that has alot of logging activity like NW Montana does.

 

[slowp]

Tree length hauling doesn't happen on MI.

As stated previously, those a logs, not trees. Second growth at that. Each mill has preferred lengths. Also, in the past, short logs were favorable to the logger but not the mill. Logs are scaled with a cylinder in mind and the small end is the diameter used. There is taper in trees so a longer log actually provides more "free" wood to the mill.

Perhaps this photo will give more of an idea.