Standing Lodgepole Pine........

[Dog_River]

Hello Guys,

I am looking for ideas and input. I have 160 acres in BC and there is quite a bit of beetle killed Lodgepole Pine. Some of it is pretty good sized timber. Now that I am at the age where I would like to do something differant career wise. Most people just get a logging company in to remove the dead trees. I am thinking of horse logging it myself and milling it myself.

I am trying to come up with a product that I can make or produce that will maximize my efforts and return on investment. I dont belive there is much money in just getting a logging company in to take the logs off as there is a huge amount of beetle killed timber in BC.

A bit of background on myself. I have had horses most of my life. I am a carpenter by trade, business owner, lived a rural life and pretty good with a chainsaw and in the bush. I come from a long line of horses loggers.

Any thought's or idea's would be appreciated !

Thanks, Dog_River

 

[Timberframed]

God bless ya bro! Can't help with any suggestions with the beetle kill but something will come of it by the grace of God indeed. Thanks for sharing keep us posted on the work ahead and upload images. John.

 

[Wazzu]

A friend of mine has been milling the beetle kill in MT for a couple of years now and it comes out real nice. He uses a wood mizer.

 

[rmount]

Just an idea since you seem to have the background - What about small scale timber frame buildings. Bunkies, cabins, garden sheds that kind of thing. You could market them with a little picture album showing the tree being cut down, skidded out by horse, then being milled. A certain type of monied people seem to be willing to pay for a personal touch/story. You need something value added because lumber isn't worth all that much.

 

[mikeb1079]

i would think that with your experience and acreage it would be hard to go wrong with a mid range bandsaw mill. you could test the waters without spending a ton. of course it depends what your goals are....

 

[Dave Boyt]

The cabin idea is good. What is the size of the timber? If you have the budget for it, a band saw is likely a good investment for you. Long posts and beams may be a good market. If you could set up a kiln and planer, flooring and paneling could be other options, and the value of the end product will be greater. I have had good success with my manual mill, and the manufacturer has track extensions and add-on hydraulics if I ever need them. Sorry to hear about the beetle kill. Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[qbilder]

The cabin idea sounds perfect. You have the timber. They're dead & relatively dry. You're a carpenter. You have horses and experience horse logging. Why not build cabins & such to rent out or sell off? Would be a lot of fun & little overhead besides maybe how much small lots of property cost that you'll be putting a cabin on.

 

[Dog_River]

Some good idea's coming forward. I met with a local forester yesterday and he is involved with developing a youth group to give them hands on training and work experiance in logging, milling, bulding some sort of product that can keep the young folks in the valley instead of leaving to work in the oil fields etc.

We talked about all the idea's above and we will see what happens. I'll keep you posted as things develope. I will be on the road for the next 3 weeks but will be checking in and thanks for the support and idea's !!

Dog_River

 

[Lookin4lunkers]

Just an idea since you seem to have the background - What about small scale timber frame buildings. Bunkies, cabins, garden sheds that kind of thing. You could market them with a little picture album showing the tree being cut down, skidded out by horse, then being milled. A certain type of monied people seem to be willing to pay for a personal touch/story. You need something value added because lumber isn't worth all that much.

I too think this is a solid idea. I live near a small Amish community that makes sheds from freshly milled lumber, and everywhere you look now there is an Amish shed. They build to your specs and are booked in advance a couple months.

 

[mtngun]

Canada has a housing bubble that will likely pop soon. When that happens, there will be little demand for cabins or sheds.

We don't doubt that you can log, mill, and build, but who is going to buy your product ? "If you build it, they will come" only works in Hollywood movies.

Unless you see a vibrant local market -- one that will survive the collapse of the housing bubble -- I'm not seeing this making sense as a business.

Now if you wanted to build your own cabin, that would be different. Your cabin would justify the cost of the milling equipment. Afterwards, since your equipment would already be paid for, there would be nothing to lose by offering to sell cabins or cabin-logs. But I can't see investing money in a business-only venture with no realistic expectation of a market.