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Time to sell some cherry & hard maple???

Started by weimedog, December 17, 2006, 05:28:42 PM

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weimedog

I have 100 acre woodlot with Hard Maple, Cherry, Oak and other woods. I would like to have a small selective cut this year, 20-30 trees. 1/2 cherry and 1/2 Hard Maple or Oak. Most of the trees in the 22-30 inch diameter range.

My family is in the Central New York area...and we have equipment.

Questions:

1) Is it even make sence to do this with the housing economy the way it is??
2) How much difference in income if I cut & skid the tree vs. a logging outfit...what would be realistic numbers one vs. the other. (Whats a tree worth if I skid it vs. having someone else do the grunt work)
3) Some of the trees have logs 30-40ft long. What would be the best length to cut them too?
4) Are there outfits that rather have the small custom type cuts as I would like to do for the next five-six years?

Thanks in advance for the advice
Husqvarna 365sp/372xpw Blend, Jonsered 2171 51.4mm XPW build,562xp HTSS, 560 HTSS, 272XP, 61/272XP, 555, 257, 242, 238, Homelite S-XL 925, XP-1020A, Super XL (Dad's saw); Jonsered 2094, Three 920's, CS-2172, Solo 603; 3 Huztl MS660's (2 54mm and 1 56mm)

logger

If I where you I would buy a 440 or 372 and go to work.  You get a lot more money if you do it yourself.  But if you get a timber contractor to come and cut it it will be alot less work for you, but it will be less money depending on the deal.  Do you have a deacent size tractor or skidder to do it with?  And are the trees fairly clear of knots, limbs and defects?  But if it where me I would cut it myself. 8)   
220 Poulan            Future Saws         
Stihl MS280             Jonsered CS2171              
Stihl MS440 Magnum Husky 575XP  
Stihl MS460 Magnum   Dolmar PS-7900
Husky 385xp            Stihl MS361  Stihl MS441 Magnum
Stihl 066 Magnum       Stihl MS660 Magnum

Ron Wenrich

If you're only talking 20-30 trees, then do it yourself.  You won't find anyone interested in cutting such a small amount.  They would want to cut all 100 acres.  "Selective cut" is a relative term.  It depends on who's doing the selecting and the reasoning behind it.   ;)

As for markets, the housing slump hasn't seemed to hit the hardwoods yet.  They are finish woods, and furniture woods.  That market lags the softwood market by about 4-6 months.  So, domestically, we're getting close.

Your better hardwoods are often exported to Europe.  The low value of the dollar has kept our woods very competitive there.  That has helped to bouy up the market.

Demand for oak is on the wain.  Red oak has dropped in value, and I don't see that returning any time soon.  White oak has increased in value (European thing I believe) and the veneer seems to remain strong for many species.

For skidding, I would cut the logs to 20' - 24'.  Log length skidding will do a lot less damage to the residual stand.  Tree length skidding is a lot worse.

Get in contact with some log buyers, preferably a broker who deals in veneer.  They will come to the landing and buy the logs and tell you where to do the bucking for the best dollar.  After they're bucked, it may be too late.  He could also give you advice on how long to keep your logs for skidding. 
Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

jon12345

A.A.S. in Forest Technology.....Ironworker

weimedog

Husqvarna 365sp/372xpw Blend, Jonsered 2171 51.4mm XPW build,562xp HTSS, 560 HTSS, 272XP, 61/272XP, 555, 257, 242, 238, Homelite S-XL 925, XP-1020A, Super XL (Dad's saw); Jonsered 2094, Three 920's, CS-2172, Solo 603; 3 Huztl MS660's (2 54mm and 1 56mm)

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