Fresh cut Maple tree

[unidave]

Hi all

A friend is going to cut a maple tree. He found a guy that said there is over 4000 BF of lumber there and is ready to cut and mill the lumber. He's offering $2 a board foot to my friend for the wood. Is this a fair price?

 

[Frank Kobilsek]

Dave,

Your friend owns the tree and this mill is offering him $8000 to cut it down for the wood or is the mill going to charge him $8000 to mill the wood for your friend?

Frank

 

[John Abt]

The mill is offering $8000 for the wood? Tell him to jump on it.

If the mill wants him to pay them, tell him the local woodturners will probably do it for free!

 

[MichaelMouse]

Don't touch that tree! A maple with 4000 bf, by the most generous "cheatin' stick" has to be a record-breaker. http://www.americanforests.org/resources/bigtrees/

http://www.timberbuyer.net/logvalue.htm

Amazing that it would still have sound heartwood at about 40 inches in diameter.

 

[Richard Baker]

Might want to get a certified check IN ADVANCE. Justathought.

 

[Hstudio]

This tree could be loaded with figure.....Who knows! If you are in the Pacific Northwest, instrument grade Big Leaf Maple could command a high price from a specialty sawyer. This tree could be quitled or loaded with heavy curl. I've seen veneer quality Bird's Eye Maple logs go for $10,000. One veneer mill that I know of, bid 10 grand for an outrageous Bird's Eye Maple log, but got left in the dust of the bidding when the auction topped out at $20,000!!!!! Here in the east, a normal maple may get you 50cents/bdft "on the stump". Be sure that your friend knows what he has before he commits to a price. You may want to check with your state's forestry department. Many states will offer free timber value estimates to keep unscrupulous loggers somewhat honest.

 

[n7bsn]

This tree could be loaded with figure.....Who knows! If you are in the Pacific Northwest, ....

Good point, please note he is in PNW, so this could (and probably is) Big Leaf Maple. So it might even be UNDERVALUED at $8,000

People from other then around here have no idea how big the $$$ for highly figured Big Leaf sells for. I just checked one of the local suppliers and their price on their best figure is $175/BF

It has gotten to the point where if you are moving Maple logs/billets you had best be prepared to be pulled over and have documentation that you own that Maple. There has been quite a spat of thefts of mature Maple trees

TTFN
Ralph

 

[dkulze]

Hi Dave,

Seems like folks are on the right track as to finding value before you sell it. I'd guess that, if the lumber is worth $8000 to the buyer pretty much sight unseen (the good stuff is still covered by bark), he's pretty sure he'll make a decent profit. A couple of calls, both to the Forestry Service and to any local sawyer should get you a valuation or other bids. If others offer you less, then $8000 is nothing to sneeze at for a tree you were planning to drop anyway.

By the way, the local turning clubs may be interested in the stump or cutoffs if it's nicely figured.

Dietrich