Tree Care and Logging

[Gypo Logger]

It's one thing to have the equipment and the timber, but a whole lot more is involved with the business end of the venture.
Most mills are not likely to treat someone new with respect, especially if the logger is obviously not aware of grade and what lengths to cut.
It seems on average that 10% of a stand will be 90% of it's value.
The best approach is to get a government or independent forester, NOT ONE WHO WORKS FOR A MILL! Have the forester mark and inventory the stand for volume and grade. Depending on the stand he may prescribe 30% of the trees be removed.
You're still only halfway there. You need to fall and skid, but you have to know the grades and lengths, as you can make or lose 100$+, simply by cutting the wrong length log. If in doubt, especialy with highgrade wood, cut the log to max length and let a log buyer make the call on the landing, not at the mill.
A tractor with a winch is good and versatile.
Try not to pay too much on the stump or simply work on shares with the woodlot owner.
Logging is something that you gravitate to and you may find it's in your blood and if so, you'll make money. "Stay small, keep it all"
Very Best of Luck
Gypo

 

[Gypo Logger]

I forgot to mention that it's very important to know something about forestry and the stand you are buying.
It's not a good practice to indescriminately cut down trees. This is where the forester comes in.
There are several ways of approaching this. You can simply do an initial cleaning of all the lowgrade, a precommercial cut,or a clearcut. I'd stay away from over cutting and leave as many crop trees as possible. There's nothing to be gained by cutting small crop trees unless they are too tight together. These crop trees are money in the bank for a later cut.
The best and most valuable forests are those that are of uneven age, meaning anything from seedlings to mature stems.
Think of the forest as a garden. If you want good carrots the garden must be weeded out.
An ideal forest is where the crowns of dominant trees are about 5 feet apart.
This isn't always the case, but something that should be strived for.
Proper forest management pays huge divedends.
If you get the forest working for you, you can go back every five to 10 years for another cut. And if the farmer/woodlot owner likes your work, he/she will never sell to another logger.
Proper forestry practices is much more than just trees. It's about wildlife and recreation too.
I was always a stickler for nice trails in the bush. This is what woodlot owners like to see, not huge crowns laying everywhere and leave trees all bruised up and debarked.
It all comes down to a three way co-operation between the owner, the forester and the logger.

Gypo

 

[Gypo Logger]

These are the kind of trees you might want to leave behind in the bush, cause who wants a hollow goon tree? Lol

 

[cedar]

Gypo,

Thanks for the input. I've been studying the field for some time. I have an undergrad and masters in forestry. I have been running a profitable tree business for 5 years.

I was able to get into tree work with a small investment in equipment and build from there. I would like to do the same with logging.

What type of tractor and winch do you have? How do you get the logs loaded and to the mill?

Are landowners receptive to uneven age management?

Thanks again.

 

[rob b]

Now the market is in the crapper i got together with two other guys Im the cutter one guy runs the skidder and the other runs the log truck we each do what we do well and make some money. logging is alot different than tree work.

 

[Gypo Logger]

Gypo,

Thanks for the input. I've been studying the field for some time. I have an undergrad and masters in forestry. I have been running a profitable tree business for 5 years.

I was able to get into tree work with a small investment in equipment and build from there. I would like to do the same with logging.

What type of tractor and winch do you have? How do you get the logs loaded and to the mill?

Are landowners receptive to uneven age management?

Thanks again.

Cedar, having those credentials will open up alot of doors for you.
I'm sans equipment now, but I had a 60hp Kubota and a JD540A.
The tractor had a Norse 450 winch and a high capacity material bucket and quick detach pallet fork for logs.
My logs were sorted and loaded on a tri axle truck and grapple with pup by a custom log trucker. The log buyer often payed the trucking.

Generally, landowners know nil to nothing about forestry until they have been educated. Some owners have a bad attitude about logging, but this may be partially due to the horror stories that abound.
I've found that the best people to deal with are farmers, lawyers and accountants. The worst are real estate agents , school teachers, and those involved in organized crime. lol
Here's a link that may be useful, just ignore all the good natured banter between loggers and tree climbers. lol

Gypo

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=26571&highlight=farm+tractor

 

[Gypo Logger]

Ask the log trucker I suggested you find where HE would market it...no one knows more about where to sell wood for a good price than the guy in the seat of a truck.

Very good advice. A good log trucker can keep everybody honest unless of coarse he's the one buying the logs! Lol
Gypo

 

[2dogs]

Cedar, having those credentials will open up alot of doors for you.
I'm sans equipment now, but I had a 60hp Kubota and a JD540A.
The tractor had a Norse 450 winch and a high capacity material bucket and quick detach pallet fork for logs.
My logs were sorted and loaded on a tri axle truck and grapple with pup by a custom log trucker. The log buyer often payed the trucking.

Generally, landowners know nil to nothing about forestry until they have been educated. Some owners have a bad attitude about logging, but this may be partially due to the horror stories that abound.
I've found that the best people to deal with are farmers, lawyers and accountants. The worst are real estate agents , school teachers, and those involved in organized crime. lol
Here's a link that may be useful, just ignore all the good natured banter between loggers and tree climbers. lol

Gypo

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=26571&highlight=farm+tractor

I beg to differ here but (IMO) lawyers are the worst land owners. They make a big offer and then never pay up while threatening to sue you for sport. I never work for lawyers anymore.

 

[Gypo Logger]

I beg to differ here but (IMO) lawyers are the worst land owners. They make a big offer and then never pay up while threatening to sue you for sport. I never work for lawyers anymore.

I hear ya 2dogs. Any time I dealt with lawyers I was the one in care and control of the timber and the money, therefore assuring everyone got paid. Had the shoe been on the other foot, it could had turned out differently. Lol
Gypo