New wood lot, searching for markets…

[Brad Johnson]

I have just started a new lot, 135 acres, with a little bit of everything on it. The pine, spruce, and fir logs have been moving well though prices are low. The softwood tops are staying in the woods, and firewood is moving nicely with good pricing. There are a bunch of aspen trees, and I am planning on selling those logs to NE Timber Coop in Castleton. I think the small aspen and tops will have to go as chipwood, which is bringing about $45-55/ton. Would like to search for other markets for the chipwood. Also looking into pole markets for red pine. Any thoughts from anybody?
-Brad

[JJK]

Hey Brad
Sorry I don’t have any help for marketing, but I wanted to ask a couple questions about your firewood sales, if you’re willing.
1) I was wondering how you sold it, i.e. to processors, or whole logs for individuals to process for themselves, or already split…?
2) Do you have a minimum diameter that you find is economically efficient to bring out? I know for the stove at home we’d go all the way to 3ish inches, but making time wasn’t usually a priority.
I’m glad to hear that you can bring firewood out economically. We are in mixed hardwoods here and I’d like to get into doing the improvement work that you guys are doing, and that would produce a lot of firewood I’m thinking. Here you can buy split wood for $180-200 a cord, maybe a bit cheaper some places, how does that compare with you?
Thanks and good luck.
Josh

[Brad Johnson]

Josh-
Firewood sells really well here. My best option financially is to sell log length directly to customers who want to process their own. I sell a 7 cord load for $1000 delivered, and the trucking costs me $250 within a reasonable distance. Or, I can sell of my landing for around $90/cord. I have tried to sell to processors but most want perfect stems with no crooks, sweep, or rot and are picky about species. Also, they often pay by the ton and you can get hosed selling ash that way because it is light by the ton. For me, this is a last resort option. In terms of diameter, I do not do down to 3 inches unless the landowner or forester makes that request. I usually take top-wood down to about 6 inches or so, and I mix in white birch along with most other species of hardwood. The chip market is not bad either, particularly for undesirable firewood species like aspen. I don’t have a processor or dump truck I don’t sell much processed wood unless the weather is too wet to work in the woods. Hope this helps, and let me know if you have other questions.
-Brad

[JaredWoodcock]

What cut of $ does the landowner get from the firewood sales?

Thanks

[Brad Johnson]

Most loggers around here pay $10/cord for firewood stumpage.
-Brad

[Hopewell Farm]

Brad,

We were selling our harwood pulp to Limlaw last year. I haven’t checked pricing recently but it’s worth checking out.

John

[Author]

Posts