Black Walnut Value?

[squisher]

Ok, I know it sucks starting this thread without a photo. But here it goes I showed up today to do some pruning on this nice big 'ole walnut but the customer(hotel) says they want it gone. Shed a big limb last weekend that almost landed on a rolls.

Well it's gotta be 28" DBH and holds that taper for probably 16'-18' of clear, straight sawlog. Now a tree like this is quite rare around here. I'm starting to poke around for buyers but I wanted to see if any of y'all here might have an idea on the value? I'm talking value of just having it sitting on the ground someone else pays me x amount of dollars and it's there baby for transporting.

I had four people offer to take it off my hands today for free while we were brushing it out.:lol:

So what's up with the Walnut in your opinion?

[NeTree]

If you can get a couple of 16's out of it there's definitely some money there. Even small round wood is worth some.

Call up a few mills to get some pricing.

[OTGBOSTON]

Two of my neighbors have mature ones, and I have several saplings. Problem is the friggin squirrels bury them everywhere. They also like to sit on my stoop and on the wires and eat the nuts, which leaves stains on my stairs and truck. Black Walnuts?..:big-no:

[woodworkingboy]

Haven't heard too much about Black Walnut in your area...pretty rare as you say. There are a number of factors in a tree's worth as a material for woodwork. Is the grain tightly packed, twist in the tree, color, grain figure..... How the bark looks can tell a lot, in terms of potential figure.

Usually trees cut when the water content is down will fetch more money.

As NeTree suggests, a mill, or somebody with knowledge to evaluate what you have there, is likely your best bet. Some high quality Walnut can fetch a lot of money, and 28" at the base is a very decent sized tree. I could probably sure use it.

Just a thought, a woodworker might want to give you more money than a mill, if it's a good tree. You might want to call around a bit, if you have the time.

[lumberjack]

...I could probably sure use it...

:lol:

Get some measurements before you start calling is my only advice. Nothing like spending their times with estimates when you could just throw a tape on it and have solid figures for them to invest their time on.

[Bodean]

Maybe this page can help with some questions, They're local here, not there.

http://www.calicohardwoods.com/wood_types.php

[squisher]

Yah I've got a few leads as to buyers here. A small mill that I sold my load of fir to earlier this year and a couple of guys that do high end woodworking. I was trying to get a feel for the value, bearing in mind of course every region is going to be different. I'd like to atleast have a rough idea of the value before some guy trys to rip me off for it. My uncle also knows some guys at a place in Vancity who build fancypants guitars that may be interested in it too so a call is going in there.

I was told it was a black walnut and beleived them as it's definetly a walnut but they're not really very common around here so I'm gonna do a little research to ID it for certain. Saturday I'm going back to finish it off so I'll grab some pics of it then.

I do have to have the wood gone by the end of the weekend so I may have to arrange to have it hiab'd up to my place. I'd be happy just putting some cash in my pocket and being rid of it though. My yard runeth over with wood. So somebody might get a good deal if they jump on it.

Thanks for the info so far.

[No_Bivy]

mill it ...dry it...sell it. .............or use it?

[sawinredneck]

Firewood if nothing else!!! It's going for $200 a cord here!

[squisher]

I gots no mill, no time, and no room. And I'd sure hate to learn to mill on a piece of wood like this. It's an amazing stick, prime for milling imo. I need to catch up not fall further behind. Booked straight through the weekend and saturday of next weekend and a full week beyond that. :)

It'll be sold to someone for something. I just have no idea how much. And any of the potential buyers aren't going to really know either because it's so uncommon here. Hardwoods are brutally heavy. I'm back to a spruce TD tomorrow, prickly but light.

[NeTree]

$250 per cord here, average.

[Bodean]

I think this sold for a little more than 10K. Not with Calico, a broker found a buyer.

[Bodean]

There are buyers willing to pay for pickup. I don't know any personally.

Buy a Mill for Gods' sake, I thought every canadian got a mill at like ten years old.

[squisher]

Nice! Don't cut the pull line eh!:lol:

Yah that's why I started this thread. I gots to research this action, I'm not giving this thing away.:/:

[squisher]

Buy a Mill for Gods' sake, I thought every canadian got a mill at like ten years old.

:lol: We don't need our own personal mills there used to be tons of production mills around, now not so much.:(

Oh man my wife would flip if I ordered up a Lucas.:D

[No_Bivy]

nah...he had plenty o wedges!

[Bodean]

Firewood here is probably 350ish a cord, cured and dried with honey ham.

She would be stoked out of her mind with all the hand made furniture and flooring you could make all winter.
Sell it at the Renasaince faire.

That's not me in the picture, I was in the dodge pulling the line.
I climbed it and Shamrock dumped it.
I think the wedges were for just in cases.

[sawinredneck]

Hell, just get a chainsaw mill, you could slab it out and sell the slabs if nothing else! And they are cheap!

[squisher]

Hell if it's gonna get burned it'll go into the private collection. I'm sitting on plenty O firewood right now. I just set my price $200/cord delivered. Softwoods for sale here. Fir and spruce.

[squisher]

She would be stoked out of her mind with all the hand made furniture and flooring you could make all winter.
Sell it at the Renasaince faire.

Flooring is taken care of. Check my avy, thats an african cherry. Gots that and mill run maple throughout my house that I layed and finished myself.8)

Andy I have considered an Alaskan mill. But like I said I need more projects like another freaking hole in the head.

[sawinredneck]

FAQ:http://www.granberg.com/

Prices etc.: http://www.toolcenter.com/CHAIN_SAW_MILLS.html

[sawinredneck]

Andy I have considered an Alaskan mill. But like I said I need more projects like another freaking hole in the head.

But stress is so much freakin fun:P

[TC3]

Using a plunge cut (instead of a hinge) will preserve a lot of the wood. But you knew that...
Having it sold / organised before you fell it will be worth the log's weight in uhhh, well, ... worth it.
I've done the dance on waiting for guys to come pick up wood they were begging for, then they're nowhere to be found on the day of.

[Al Smith]

Around here you wouldn't get too much for it as this area is dead center of the "walnut belt ".However if the thing has nice figure on the bottom log it will fetch as much for gunstock blanks as the rest of the tree . With that in mind take it off right at the ground .--also if it has good solid crotch wood this can bring a premium also for crafts type people .

All that mouthfull said it would be lucky to fetch a hundred bucks here .A yard tree they won't even buy .

[TC3]

All that mouthfull said it would be lucky to fetch a hundred bucks here. A yard tree they won't even buy .
True dat, Al. It's kinda irksome when a customer asks how much they can get for their walnut tree ?!? Pshaw.

[OTGBOSTON]

$250 per cord here, average.


Waaaay more than that in the Bean.:(

Me and the boys have been processing firewood like maniacs, toughest part is keeping people from stealing it:/:

[Al Smith]

It may sound terrible to some people but I've burned a lot of black walnut in the stove .There's not much you can do with 10 and 12 inch stuff less than 8 feet long . I've also burned a bunch of cherry which might cause some folks to have fits .

When you live in the most diverse hardwoods section of the world you come across a lot of things like this .;)

[woodworkingboy]

Al, why don't you divert a little of that sweet cherry smoke to your meat and cheese. I buy blocks of cheap processed cheese, and after some spices added and two hours of smoke, it tastes like expensive from who knows where. Most excellent with beer of course.

I doubt that walnut is any good for smoking, too high acid content.

[Al Smith]

I doubt that walnut is any good for smoking, too high acid content. It's not that good of firewood either but it produces heat .


I make sure I have a nice pile of cherry around the Christmas hollidays as it gives off a nice aroma . Depending upon how cold it is usually by that time of year I'm into the hickory and oak and off the maple which doesn't quite cut it when the temp drops .

Now those walnuts. If a person had a way to mill the stuff,bandsaw,chainsaw mill,even a Grandberg mini mill,you might be able to salvage a little bit of it . Air dry the stuff as it seems to hold color a tad better than directly into a kiln and wait until you get enough of it to do whatever project you have in mind .

Just burn the rest or residue of the lumber logs .It all gets used one way or another .

[stig]

Look at the American Association of Woodturners homepage, find a woodturner in your area and ask him if he or anyone he knows want to buy the log.
I turn wood myself, and have a line of other turners ready to pounce on anythin good that I fall.

[Paul B]

here you go Squish:
http://www.woodturner.org/community/chapters/LocalChapters.asp

[Al Smith]

Turners are a different breed of cat,so to speak .These folks will spend hour upon hour turning some piece just for the challange to do so .They must have the patience of Job .I've seen some really nice work though .:)

[stig]

Paul,are you a woodturner, or were you just quick to look it up on the net?

[Paul B]

just googled it. :)

[woodworkingboy]

Like Al says, my experience with Walnut is that the air dried material is much prettier than kiln dried. The subtle pinks and greens get lost in the kiln, and the wood looses resiliency. On the other hand, there are very slow kiln drying methods that don't rip off the wood, but I doubt that they are as cost effective, so the big lumber people just bake the wood and get it done asap.

Walnut is one of the easier wood to air dry, doesn't tend to warp or split very much as a rule, and dries surprisingly quick.

[squisher]

Thanks for all the replys everybody. At this point I'm gonna have the log brought up to my place. I'm gonna elevate it and cover it with a tarp held up off the log to allow air to flow through. Anyone know much here about curing wood? Do I have to mill it to cure it properly? If I let this log lie around to long will it fork it up? I'm into uncharted territory here but I may just mill this log and make something out of it myself. I'm no pro woodworker but I've got some tools and ability.

Tomorrow I'm finishing the takedown and hopefully either one of the hiab trucks or crane trucks I've got a call into will be able to help a brother out.8)

[Jonseredbred]

Squish, make sure the ends are painted and if the bark is good I would not bother covering it.

[squisher]

Thanks, I'll go with that then. Any special kind of paint needed on the ends?

[Jonseredbred]

They make a special sealer, not sure of a brand name. I think Baileys carries it.

Keeping it up off the ground is a good idea also.

How long are you going to store it?

[squisher]

I dunno. Booking straight through weekends right now into the second week of October and the phones ringing constantly. Gotta coin er up before the snow flys, then I'll have some time on my hands to figure it out.

[Newfie]

They make a special sealer, not sure of a brand name. I think Baileys carries it.

Keeping it up off the ground is a good idea also.

How long are you going to store it?


Bailey's carries a wax-based end sealer. A company that I have used is called Anchor-Seal. Good stuff. Stops or slows end-checking.

[NeTree]

Bailey's carries a wax-based end sealer.

Instead of spackle?

[woodworkingboy]

Actually, if you have the time and space, keeping it in log form for about a year, then having it slabbed up is the best way. Then go ahead and properly sticker it to dry. You loose some initial moisture that way while it's still a log, but the wood is held stable. Less tendency to warp after being sawn that way. If you go that route, best to remove the bark right off the bat with a drawknife or something, to keep the insects out, where normally they like to get under the bark that splits away as the wood dries and starts to shrink. Insects don't particularly like to chew on walnut though, but it's a good precaution. Off the ground as mentioned, and protected from hot sun and rain and hot winds, like it sounds like you have already planned. Good walnut is very valuable material, worldwide demand for it.

[cybergeek23851]

Walnut is one of the easier wood to air dry, doesn't tend to warp or split very much as a rule, and dries surprisingly quick.

Precisely! My desktop is made from a slab of old growth black walnut that was cut over 40 years ago. The cache was kept covered and remotely dry. It held up beautifully over the years. Once, I planed it down, I found it had a very tight grain, and it machines well. I only hate working with it, because of an acute sensitivity to the dust from it(blisters my hands, and makes me sneeze).

[Al Smith]

Not to be a smart alec or know it all but the reason you seal the end of the log is the fact that the end grain looses moisture faster than cross grain .This is what causes splits or checking .

I use "anchor seal " myself .Roofing tar is the best but you have to cut the end off before you saw it or else the band leaves tar streaks in the lumber .

The outside portion of the log contains the sap wood .If not sawn in a timely fashion it will deteriate but the heart wood should remain in tact .

It is best to saw whatever log in a timely fashion .Oak will last the longest and maple most likely the shortest before it gets too funky to get good lumber .For that matter I've sawn oak that has been on the ground over 20 years and got some real nice lumber out of it .I've also waited 5 years on cherry and got semi spalted .Not really a bad thing because it has a deep hue to it but is still sound .

[DTW902]

Ok, I know it sucks starting this thread without a photo. But here it goes I showed up today to do some pruning on this nice big 'ole walnut but the customer(hotel) says they want it gone. Shed a big limb last weekend that almost landed on a rolls.

Well it's gotta be 28" DBH and holds that taper for probably 16'-18' of clear, straight sawlog. Now a tree like this is quite rare around here. I'm starting to poke around for buyers but I wanted to see if any of y'all here might have an idea on the value? I'm talking value of just having it sitting on the ground someone else pays me x amount of dollars and it's there baby for transporting.

I had four people offer to take it off my hands today for free while we were brushing it out.:lol:

So what's up with the Walnut in your opinion?

Here ya go Justin, this should give you an idea, at least in my area....
http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/18201.pdf

[NeTree]

Waaaay more than that in the Bean.:(

Me and the boys have been processing firewood like maniacs, toughest part is keeping people from stealing it:/:


Yet another reason I moved away from there. Got tired of paying more for rent than my present mortgage.

[OTGBOSTON]

Yet another reason I moved away from there. Got tired of paying more for rent than my present mortgage.

Me 'an the wife both work in town. If we moved out west we'd end up paying out the a$$ for gas, and spend half our time in our cars. I'm a city kid so I really can't imagine another way of life:)

I did spend two years in Amherst....that was more than enough:lol:

[Al Smith]

What I remember from being on the east coast ,New London Conn. to be exact , is that Boston had the worst drivers in the world .They drive like maniacs .

To me it's toss up which is worse,Atlanta or Boston .

[NeTree]

Amherst is a city to me, dude.

I don't miss sitting on the upper deck baking in the sun trying to get from Arlington to Rockland with the crane, either. (I know, it's not there anymore.)

Sure, the high end residential work is nice out your way, and I still do plenty of it there... but logging is fun, too... and not much call for that in say Medford Square.

[OTGBOSTON]

.They drive like maniacs .
.

Thats 'cuz we ARE maniacs;)

And its not us its the rest of you. I think Florida has the worst drivers....

[OTGBOSTON]

I don't miss sitting on the upper deck baking in the sun trying to get from Arlington to Rockland with the crane, either. (I know, it's not there anymore.)

Sure, the high end residential work is nice out your way, and I still do plenty of it there... .

The new parks that took its place are beautiful:D

Look me up next time you're out, I'll show ya, and buy ya a beeah:lol:

[Skwerl]

I think Florida has the worst drivers....


:hello2:

[Al Smith]

I think Florida has the worst drivers....--only in Orlando --oops .:P

[squisher]

Heh now y'all are derailing my thread. :what:

And ya know I'd never do that to any of you.:D

Black walnut it is, I'm certain. I've got all the smallish wood home and the big trunk/log is laying in the parking lot coned off and waiting for me to meet up with the hiab tomorrow morning for bringing it up to my place. It's a beaut, rock solid all the way through. Nice big dark heartwood.

I'll try to remember my camera tomorrow, honest.8)

[Al Smith]

Well then go get your walnut and don't drive like a maniac doing so .;) Ya know it would really be a beech if somebody carved it up for firewood while you are away .:/:

[Cobleskill]

http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/ohiowood/SPR08_FINAL_OH_TMBR_PRICE_RPT.pdf


Pretty good information. Walnut peaked a year ago, but is still pretty high.

[Al Smith]

That most likely is pretty accurate info across the state .However in this portion of same they manage ,as they always have to put the screws to the land owner concerning stumpage prices .

Timber cruisers ,lumber buyers and the like know for a fact they most likely will only deal with a specific land owner once in a life time and act accordingly . To be quite honest a person could make out better selling firewood than lumber logs .Besides that the woods wouldn't get nearly as torn up either .

I imagine though that in the eastern and southern portion of the state that things are different . That's the timber area ,this the northwest side is farming country .

[squisher]

Well here she is. 14' of clear to the first knot on the topside and about 18' to the first knot on the bottom side. The butt is 32" and I haven't measured out the top yet but it's got nice taper.8)

[No_Bivy]

looks pretty good......you gonna hire a band saw?

[squisher]

I'm probably just gonna sell it if the price is right. I've got a few feelers out there, but I had to get it off the jobsite so there she sits for now.

A guy told me to use parafin wax to seal the ends. Any thoughts?

[No_Bivy]

yeah....or paint

[stehansen]

I was told that parafin wax was ideal, but that almost anything would work. Don't you need to dry it for a couple of years before you saw it?

[Skwerl]

Yup, wax is common to use because it's easy to clean off when you slab out the log. I'm not big into milling stuff but there's a ton of info over at www.forestryforum.com. A very clean minded forum with a bunch of good folks. Jeff doesn't put up with much funny business over there, no cursing, lewd or defamatory comments allowed. Pretend that your mom is reading everything you post. ;)

If it asks for who referred you, my user name over there is Rocky_J.

[Al Smith]

I hate to bust your bubble but that is about a number 2 common .It isn't a peeler nor fine and select . I'm not saying it's firewood but it ain't that great in comparrison to a really good log .Sorry .:(

[woodworkingboy]

The limbs lesson the value, especially the two at the upper part. The desirable wood is mostly up to the lower limb.

You can just get some white glue and smear it over the ends to help prevent checking. Let the first coat dry and do it again. Wax will work fine as well, or a couple applications of paint.

[squisher]

I hate to bust your bubble but that is about a number 2 common .It isn't a peeler nor fine and select . I'm not saying it's firewood but it ain't that great in comparrison to a really good log .Sorry .:(

#2 common? 14' of clear to the first knot of 30" black walnut with lots of heartwood totally solid? I dunno man, that's not how I've seen lumber graded in my short stint in the mill. I worked for six months pulling on a planer chain when I was a youngster. All the wood I piled was graded and knot free was select or J-grade(japanese grade). The best.

How could that not be a peeler? I've got friends and family that work at plywood plants still and that first 14' would make a fine peeler I would think?

Around here that log is a specimen for sure.

[squisher]

2nd paragraph will tell you whether or not there's a veneer log in this piece.

http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/wn/wn_6_02.pdf

[Al Smith]

Chill out .Yes the top portion of the log looks good but the bottom portion is not .As a whole it's likely number two common .You can upgrade it by cutting a 13 footer out of the top but you would be better off selling the whole thing . No war here just calling it as I see it from a midwesterner in the "walnut " belt .It could be different in your neck of the woods and I hope it is .;)

[Al Smith]

Say an after thought .Once again I'm not trying to be a smart azz or a know it all .After I get this damned computer to once again post pictures I'll show you what a primo walnut log looks like .

T and J Ellis,a local log exporter has some of the finest hardwood logs in the world and his yard is about 6 miles from my house .I went to school with Jerrys ex wife .

[squisher]

Chill out .Yes the top portion of the log looks good but the bottom portion is not .As a whole it's likely number two common .You can upgrade it by cutting a 13 footer out of the top but you would be better off selling the whole thing . No war here just calling it as I see it from a midwesterner in the "walnut " belt .It could be different in your neck of the woods and I hope it is .;)

You actually mean the bottom portion of the log as the better half right? And if I sell it to someone of course the whole thing will go, it's the bottom 14' of the 20' log that's gonna give it some value I think.

No need to chill dude. I'd love to see some pics of prime hardwood logs. I'm sure to you it would be the same as me seeing prime softwood logs a dime a dozen here. So no sweat.

[Al Smith]

No,the top portion of the log is the better portion ,the bottom is less because of the knots .Not saying the bottom is not usable but not as high of grade as the top above the top knot .

To further add ,I wouldn't know a good fir log from a bad one .Fact is I've never seen a fir log .--but I've bought my share of fir lumber .Kind of high these days,hurricanes ya know.;) I think I payed 2.58 for a not so good 2 by 4 the other day at Lowes .:(

[Skwerl]

Al, what are you calling the bottom of the log??? To most of us, the 'bottom' is the end closest to the stump cut. The end I marked with the red arrow is what most of us would call the 'bottom'.

[Al Smith]

Now how in the world could that damned thing get fatter as it got taller .You have a valid point B .I neglected to pay attention to the sweep of the branchs and stand corrected in this matter .oops!

[squisher]

That's cool Al. It's not a retirement plan or nothing, just something of a oddity/interest to me.

[Al Smith]

It's cool if you never do anything but make a fire place mantel out of it .

I've always maintained that the best use of a tree is lumber for fine furniture,nice trim or at least building material .The end results is firewood or chips .Get the best you can from the wallnut .

[squisher]

Welllllll........a guy just came over and looked at the log and offered me $400 for it..........I dunno though! Might have to keep it if that's all it's worth.

[OTGBOSTON]

Tell 'em someone offered $700 :/:

[Newfie]

Based on your estimated measurements that's about $800 MBF. Not too shabby.

[squisher]

I'm holding out for now........I think. His offer also includes getting my deck of limbs from that tree as well, which I don't have a pic of but some nice smaller pieces anyways.

[Al Smith]

Good heavens that stuff must be gold out yonder .Maybe I could export you some .:D

[squisher]

Shoot I thought that was cheap! The guy makes high end custom doors and is a self proclaimed 'wood nut'. He'd make good use of it I'm certain of that, has his own mill and kiln and a big azz woodshop. I might work out some kind of a trade with him, we'll see.

[woodworkingboy]

Trade would be good, maybe a chance to get some nice woodwork that you might not get otherwise.

Haha...Al didn't know that those weeds he has growing out there are worth sumpin!

[Cobleskill]

Does wacky-weed grow wild around you Al? Back in WWII they planted hemp for the war effort and it escaped into the wild. Pretty crappy smoking but would be cool to see a big patch of wild weed.

[woodworkingboy]

Funny about that hemp...it can be growing here wild from the days when they planted it for the rope or whatever, and you can be checking it out, but God forbid you should take a little sampling for your historical research purposes, or they will immediately throw you in the klink. That is the dumbest %&~|$#` law!

We have a whole town nearby in the mountains named after the bud, from when it used to be grown in the old days. The literal translation of that town's name would be marijuana village.

[Al Smith]

Yep ,during two world wars they planted hemp by the acre in Ohio and Indiana .The residue is still there thus the term "Indiana ditch weed "

[MasterBlaster]

but God forbid you should take a little sampling for your historical research purposes, or they will immediately throw you in the klink. That is the dumbest %&~|$#` law!


No shit? Is that the USA or Nippon?

[woodworkingboy]

I think you can refer to it pretty much as the universal idiot law.

[squisher]

Based on your estimated measurements that's about $800 MBF. Not too shabby.

According to the link that Dave provided for prices in his area $800 MBF for black walnut is half of what the average selling price was.

[squisher]

I think you can refer to it pretty much as the universal idiot law.

Move to Canada.:)

Possession under I think an oz is a misdemeanor, fine no charge. If our conservative government is re-elected our current prime minister has plans to make possession a charge with up to 12 years imprisonment. Guess who I'm not voting for in a couple of weeks.:D

[MasterBlaster]

Remember, we're talking about hemp.

[squisher]

Oh. Why didn't you say so.:D

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/substancontrol/hemp-chanvre/about-apropos/faq/index-eng.php

[Al Smith]

According to the link that Dave provided for prices in his area $800 MBF for black walnut is half of what the average selling price was. It will vary depending on the geographical area and amount .

That single tree would not fetch nearly that amount around here .My bet is a hundred or less and that's if you could find a buyer . You will likely do much better if it sells to small crafts type person than a commercial mill .

That idea of walnut being worth it's weight in gold is a misnomer around here also but reality proves something else .

[squisher]

I hear ya Al, commercial mills around here don't mill hardwood. Ever. So they're not even an option. It'll go to a small private mill/craftsman if to anyone at all.8)

[Al Smith]

Oh ,just as a comparrison .That big red oak stump I'm perched on in the avatar yielded over 3000 bd feet of saw log . All at least number one and some veneer grade .I would have been lucky to have gotten 3-400 out of it .Sadly to say it would have fetched more as firewood had I decided to slice it .What a waste that would have been .

[squisher]

Yah it's funny how it works. Like that part load of fir I sold earlier this year. Beautiful big old firs, can't remember the exact scale right now but I ended up with $750 for the whole lot of them. I coulda made way more than that off of firewooding it.

[sotc]

hmm, id have expectde more also squishy.

[Al Smith]

While rambling on about this ,there are a few small scale mill operaters that will buy smal quantities of saw logs for 10-15 cents a board foot ,Scriber scale I think .The one that figures the least amount . They also buy long firewood stuff by the ton and recut and sell it .

These guys are running bandmills like woodmiser etc and sell the stuff ,rough for about 1/2 -1/3 what the larger mills get . Now when I say larger remember this is the midwest .They might get 15-20,000 per day cut .Chicken feed compaired to the PNW or southern states .

If I take a notion when I get my bandsaw done I could double the price and still make out like a bandit . Imagine that --A. Smith Inc --fine hardwoods .:D

[PCTREE]

yeah I got tired of being screwed at the mill so I decided to do other stuff with my logs. Heres 1 example........

[Al Smith]

Very nice,good job .

Now here's the part that sucks with a half life .Your logs ,your hard work .Put it in the form of a building and the greedy azz government thinks you should pay taxes on it so everybody gets to share in the fruits of your labor .That's just wrong .:(

[brendonv]

Holy shit, you built that?

[sotc]

nice horse barn!!

[PCTREE]

Yeah I built it. First thing I have built. 30x 48 workshop with 8' concrete slab with 1600' radiant heat tube with a 14x48 appartment upstairs. The shop has doors on either end so I can drive the truck and chipper in close the doors and then out the other side. 12' cielings so I can get the knuckle boom in.When I drew up the design for this I was single so was going to live upstairs however now 4 of us would be a litle cramped AND the county wont give me my occupation permit as the 8x12 solid oak beams arent GRADED so arent sufficient for the 12' spans (man I hate government). I have a mill, a lathe , drill presses, arc,mig and tig so when I get bored in the evenings I go tinker in the shop.

I have 2 more devisions on the property so am going to put a rustic cabin in the woods and want to do a 3 bed subterrainian, passive solar house with a post and beam roof structure. I am currently milling 12x18 oak timbers for that. Im trying to get UVA archetecture dept to take it on as a class project so that they can sign off on the timbers and get the county off of my back about the grading issue. If that dont work my wife may take a class to become a certified hardwood grader (softwood is way harder to get).

It pisses me off that everybody wants to recycle and be green but for some reason they cant see that this IS RECYCLING AND BEING GREEN!!!!

[brendonv]

When I drew up the design for this I was single so was going to live upstairs

Thats what I want to do. I dream of a barn and living on top. Have enough property where I can then eventually rent out above the barn, and build a home.

I am reallllllllllly impressed by that building, nice work!

[brendonv]

Is it all Oak?

[PCTREE]

No its not all oak, I used oak, beech pine ash poplar hickory with black locust pegs. I wouldnt use poplar or ash again as they check so bad, which doesnt effect the strenght but looks like ass. Upstairs floor is all oak.

[brendonv]

:|:

[darkstar]

That is one awesome barn?
Wow

[Cobleskill]

Very nice!!! Did you mill the wood? I have cut ash and not had a problem with checking. Maybe because it was in a beam size?

[PCTREE]

yeah we milled the wood with a wood mizer and yes big timbers are more prone to splitting than boards as the outer dries way quicker than the center. The whole process of timberframing was very gratifying to me but finishing up all the details has eluded me, now that the shop is functional Ive stop making progress.

[Cobleskill]

I milled a couple thousand board feet of white and red oak on a buddys WoodMizer. It was a manual and that is a lot of work. I told him after he bought it I would have got the hydraulics and I think he ended up agreeing with me.

[TC3]

This has been a really interesting thread.
Awesome work, PCTree !
Squishy, a thought occurred to me : I wonder if you might have luck selling it to Amish woodworkers ? They're not exactly generous with $$$, but you could barter or something ? Just an idea.

[Al Smith]

Seeings how that structure is all or mostly oak and pinned it will likely last a couple of hundred years if your great grandchildren keep a good roof on it .

Graded lumber,what hogwash is that ?:what: Politics at its' finest . Fine job though even if the county doesn't like it .

[squisher]

Squishy, a thought occurred to me : I wonder if you might have luck selling it to Amish woodworkers ? They're not exactly generous with $$$, but you could barter or something ? Just an idea.

Lol, not alot of amish around here that I know of anyways. But a trade with someone might workout.

PCTree that is an amazing building, truly inspiring.8)

[Al Smith]

PCTree that is an amazing building, truly inspiring.8) Second that .I caught the part were it was mentioned that locust was used for the pins .Darned few people know that . You must have done your homework .:)

[stehansen]

Do you mill the wood green?

[squisher]

I've got a fish on a hook, now to reel him in. More next week.:/:

[squisher]

:big-jump::big-bounce::big-hang-loose::big-dance2::greenjumpers:



1g downpayment tonight, cash in the hand. 2g due on pick-up of log and all limbs. Oooooooohhhhh Yaahhhhhh!

[Dave Shepard]

Sweet! That one was worth bringing home.:D

[Paul B]

Its friday night and it sounds like Squishie is buyin' :D :beer:

[OTGBOSTON]

nice work squishy! e-z money:D

[No_Bivy]

sweet.....

[woodworkingboy]

Darn, I thought Squishy might get generous and send it to me. I would have sent you back a cutting board, at least.

[squisher]

Lol, a few celebratory brews are going down tonight alright. Oh what the hell a round for the house too.:lol:


Dude said he'd be interested in buying any decent hardwoods I can get my hands on. A good connection for sure.

When the Escalade pulled in the driveway I figured it was a good sign.:D

[No_Bivy]

no doubt.....i got some walnut down south here.......he likey?

[Newfie]

Good deal, especially in this log market. I guess sticking to your guns paid off, BIG TIME!8)

[Al Smith]

Say what ,2gs' and he wants the limbs .I'm in the wrong business ,but good for you .:thumbup:

[Al Smith]

Dude said he'd be interested in buying any decent hardwoods I can get my hands on. Well ,get a truck,tell me want you want ,halvsies would be nice . Got oak .:D

[CurSedVoyce]

WTG! I wish I had a market here.. or at least find one in case I get some good wood :)

[Newfie]

Say what ,2gs' and he wants the limbs .I'm in the wrong business ,but good for you .:thumbup:

Uhhh, I think it was 3g's Al, 1 now, two more to come.

[OTGBOSTON]

I just explained this thread to my wife 'cuz she walked into the middle of it.

Of course she busted by bollz 'cuz I told one of her girlfriends that it was an urban legend that she could get someone to cut down her walnut trees...and pay her for them...:|:

[Al Smith]

Uhhh, I think it was 3g's Al, 1 now, two more to come. Say what 3 thousand dollars US funds .Oh my I am in the wrong business for sure .Good heavens I must have burned up a million bucks worth of the stuff at those prices .

[stehansen]

Good going Squishy!

[sotc]

dang, nice haul! he didnt sign at gunpoint did he?

[Newfie]

Say what 3 thousand dollars US funds .Oh my I am in the wrong business for sure .Good heavens I must have burned up a million bucks worth of the stuff at those prices .

I think it might be Canuckbucks, so only like $10. See its not that bad Al.:D

[stehansen]

Are those the ones with the picture of Wayne Gretzsky on them with a slash through it?

[Al Smith]

I think it might be Canuckbucks, so only like $10. See its not that bad Al.:D Awe gee,bust my bubble .I was just about to buy a used log truck ,quit my job and haul yard trees into Canada .,shucks .:(

[squisher]

3g Canadian. And ya know what. My uncle(who's also my one employee) lined up this buyer so I'm flowing him 1g as a season end bonus and good faith for making this happen. I owe him alot, he's a good man. I'm assuming this guy would be flooded by any large amount of wood flow but if he wants the odd log here and there that I can supply. Bonus!

[Cobleskill]

Did he talk about what he is going to do with the wood/log?

[Al Smith]

Well ,what ever you do don't be advertising the fact you got a good chunk of change from a yard tree .Before too long you'll have to be paying for removals rather that getting paid for them ,not good .

[squisher]

Well ,what ever you do don't be advertising the fact you got a good chunk of change from a yard tree .Before too long you'll have to be paying for removals rather that getting paid for them ,not good .

No worries, I had to let you guys all know. But locally I'm keeping it to myself.

[squisher]

Did he talk about what he is going to do with the wood/log?

He will be doing fine woodworking with it. Whatever he fancies he sees in it I imagine as it gets milled up.

[stehansen]

Awesome for your Uncle.

[Al Smith]

Well as I said before no way in the world that log would fetch that much here . It's ironic because this area produces the finest black walnut in the world too as well as white oak .Pa. red oak is better they say .The Ontarioites claim their maple is better but the largest producer of bowling alley maple in the world is 30 miles south of here if that tells you anything .

Ya know ,it's kind of a beech being in one of the most prolific hardwood areas yet it only fetchs about firewood prices at the mills .Something is wrong with this picture .:what:

[woodworkingboy]

He will be doing fine woodworking with it. Whatever he fancies he sees in it I imagine as it gets milled up.

Hurts like heck to say it, but I told ya so! 8):D8):D

[Bodean]

Top Shelf, Aces High, Justin.

Great Job, :beerchug:!!

[Stumper]

There is something very squishey about this story.:/:

[squisher]

Lol. People will have to take what they want from it I suppose. I could take a picture of a bunch of cash for you if you'd like.:lol:

[TC3]

Dang !!! There's so much black walnut around here it's silly, but I've only found 1 guy ever that was interested. He's got an old semi-trailor set up with a dehumidifier & racks; mills his own stuff.
Best I could do is get him to come pick up wood. Free. Getting him to show up proved problematic.
P.S. He had an interesting contraption made out of a converted propane tank hauler for transporting logs. Now THAT was cool !

[rbtree]

I recently made contact with an extremely knowledgable wood guy, who processes and sells all kinds of woods, exotics etc.. He told me of the record price for a walnut log....It was about 1000 board feet, and sold for $98,000!!!! The entire log was quilted and of the highest grade.Wow...

I'd heard of $10k for a quilted big leaf maple log......

[MasterBlaster]

Lordy, where's Gypo Logger when you need him... :cry:

[Al Smith]

I'd heard of $10k for a quilted big leaf maple log...... Those prices sound like some of that fiddle back maple they recovered from lake Superior .Sunken since the early 1900's .

T and G Ellis ,a local veneer exporter had some exotic cherry they sold the Japanese for I heard around 20-30 grand but then again you can hear anything .

[rbtree]

Those prices sound like some of that fiddle back maple they recovered from lake Superior .Sunken since the early 1900's .

T and G Ellis ,a local veneer exporter had some exotic cherry they sold the Japanese for I heard around 20-30 grand but then again you can hear anything .

A top grade quilted pre cut piece of big leaf maple, can go for $200-500, I hear. about 2.5 board feet:O

[Al Smith]

Sounds about like figured walnut for gun stocks or musical grade maple for violins etc .Niche market ,nice if you can get it .

[Al Smith]

Lordy, where's Gypo Logger when you need him... :cry: Oh ,he's got to around someplace I would think .:lol: He's pretty good at being incognito ,so to speak .;)

[MasterBlaster]

Or he's dead - he had a bum ticker.

[OLD PUP]

Birds-eye-maple, curly-maple, crotch-walnut (pistol grips), chesnut, locust all desired by wood workers & for antique furniture restoration ! They use sweet-gum for furniture frames. Poplar for false graining ( imitating) cherry, mahogany,quarter-sawn oak & other more valuable woods .:)

[squisher]

Tomorrow I get the rest of the coin for my log, so my uncle scores a cool g for setting everything up and being a all round generally cool dude. I think the thing is gonna get milled right in my yard! I agreed mostly cause I'd like to check out one of these portable mills first hand. Dec.15th is the tentative milling date.8)

[sotc]

pics!

[squisher]

I'll be getting pics, as long as I'm not plowing.:|:

[Skwerl]

Lordy, where's Gypo Logger when you need him... :cry:

A new member registered at the Forestry Forum today, goes by the user name 'Franksplanks (http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=9786)'. ;)

[Al Smith]

I think the Gypster is in the Yukon or some other chunk of frozen tundra and just recently got a satilite dish for internet .