Thinking out loud. Looks like a dead tree to me !

Remle · May 22, 2018, 12:08:27 PM

Came across what a gentleman says is an Old Growth American Chestnut. Just guessing the tree is 40' +/- tall and about 20" diameter base and 12" diam. at 28'. Unfortunately the wood peckers have attacked it at various places around and up the entire length, leaving 2/3" holes. Another problem is it will need to be taken down by bucket truck, it's hemmed in by wires and buildings.
1) What, if any would you think the value of this tree to be. It's nearly impossible to tell the actual BF because of the decay/ holes ect.
2) Any guess as to the value of lumber one might be able to retrieve per BF ?
3) If I am able to get a hold of a specimen from one of the limbs can any one confirm that it is actually an American Chestnut ?
4) Should I even consider trying to procure this tree ?

mike_belben · May 22, 2018, 12:11:14 PM

On the stump, its worth negative $1200.

Weekend_Sawyer · May 22, 2018, 12:22:46 PM

I'm thinking a 20" DBH tree is not old growth.
Post a picture of the leaves.

If you google the difference between American and Chinese chestnut you can see the difference in the leaves.

it sounds like he's trying to get someone to pay him to remove a dead tree.
Good luck
Keep us posted
Jon

mike_belben · May 22, 2018, 12:38:43 PM

No, i swear, its one of those 80 yr old growths. The guy from the DPW whos dad went to college told me all about it.

Maybe its just been dead for 3 centuries and they built around it.

WV Sawmiller · May 22, 2018, 01:37:12 PM

If you get it you might just ignore the woodpecker holes and saw it as if solid and hope they just add character.

Be sure to post if you do get/saw it.

If it was close to any structure I'd let someone else take it down then discuss buying or sawing the log. I'd probably offer to saw it on shares but that is just me.

SawyerTed · May 22, 2018, 01:39:59 PM

An old American Chestnut would be similar in size to an old Red Oak or old Beech. The "old growth American Chestnut" line sounds like he's trying to put one over on you.

I wouldn't waste any more time on it.

Magicman · May 22, 2018, 01:46:17 PM

Woodpeckers have not done any damage. They are pecking away dead wood seeking the insects, etc.

I would maybe agree to haul it off for him after he gets it on the ground, and that would be my top offer.

Southside · May 22, 2018, 05:04:12 PM

Quote from: mike_belben on May 22, 2018, 12:11:14 PM
On the stump, its worth negative $1200.

Around here I bet that tree would cost $5K to remove.

Ron Wenrich · May 22, 2018, 07:36:00 PM

I've seen some pretty serious prices on reclaimed chestnut lumber, $3.50/bf on up. A lot of it has worm holes. I wouldn't offer anything until the log is on the ground, and you can inspect it a little bit better. I'd also want to run over it with a metal detector. That close to buildings probably means it has some metal in it. You're in the lumber business, not the tree removal business.

Tin Horse · May 22, 2018, 07:56:37 PM

In the few years I've been milling I've had countless calls to look at trees standing. They want me to take them down and don't really want a lotta money for them. In nearly every case they had priced out a tree service.( always the same story) They can't stand the thought of paying to have it removed. Regardless of nearby hazards. I'll have nothing to do with that scenario. To much liability WHEN something goes wrong.

Skipper11A · May 22, 2018, 10:31:15 PM

Quote from: Remle on May 22, 2018, 12:08:27 PMAnother problem is it will need to be taken down by bucket truck, it's hemmed in by wires and buildings.

This is a huge problem, but it's HIS problem, don't make it YOUR problem. And it's dead! Just walk away from this one.

mike_belben · May 23, 2018, 12:35:17 AM

I had a guy get in touch with me this winter through an acquaintance. Wanted me to "log" his .2 acre front yard on shares. Yeah it had prime oaks.. All leaning over his house, in a triangle of f power lines through thick woods, with a 3" sheath of poison ivy on every stem. Two of these monsters had uprooted and were leaning fully into one that hadnt yet, forming a teepee over his house and power line.

Out here $300 will get a bucket truck to whittle a big oak out from between lines but this was a serious disaster. He asked how much they were worth. Buddy, its gonna cost you ten grand to have these craned out. Your payment is not being crippled or homeless when they come crashing down.

Ianab · May 23, 2018, 01:00:27 AM

Usual scenario would be you do a $1,000 removal job in exchange for $100 log.... :-\

If the log is actually of some use to you, and you have a way of moving it, offer to buy it once it's on the ground. Should reduce the cost of the removal job as the tree company don't have to cut it up and haul it away.

nativewolf · May 23, 2018, 06:56:05 AM

First, a tree that size is probably the record American Chestnut in the State of NY. Is it totally dead?

If not see if you can get the American Chestnut Society to come and do a collection, they may take graft tissue, etc. Of course, they may know it is there already.

If it is Chestnut it is going to have scar tissue from the blight, bark will have erupted in spots, as long as it does not get totally encircled it can manage to live. It will leaf out from the base, small stems will emerge. Chestnut leaves are neat and distinctive, any google guide will help you out there.

Last, the wood is worth what others have said, 3.5/bd ft or more after sawing,drying, planning. Still lots of chestnut out there. Frankly it may be worth more as a long trunk to a restoration specialist than anything else as replacing a historic chestnut beam in some building might bring a few extra $.

Brad_bb · May 23, 2018, 08:45:55 AM

Chestnut looks like oak without ray fleck from what I've seen. Not that special to me. Just rare because it's all dying out. Ash will be the same soon. I'd rather have a nice white oak.

Probably has metal in it. I will not cut anything with hazards around it. The work of me taking something down is more than the value of the log. I'm better off buying logs delivered. The only time I will take one down is with no hazards, and I have to really want the log, like a nice walnut, or when I need Osage. Even then it's a losing proposition.

Tree services are not cheap because among other high costs, their liability and workers comp insurance costs a lot and rightly so. They need it. If you don't have it, and you damage something...you're really in trouble. Leave the risky work to the tree service.

If you want the log, offer to remove it once on the ground. That will be plenty of work for you right there. Wonder if the original poster is reading these replies?

Remle · May 24, 2018, 06:25:02 PM

Thanks to all whom have replied. I apologize for having called it an Old Growth tree, probably should have only called it an American Chestnut.. Around this part of the country they are only a few still in existence . Just goes to show how different species of wood are viewed/ valued. I am not looking to buy or sell wood of any kind, nor am i in the tree removal business. Though i may approach the owner to see what his intentions are concerning the tree, just hate to see it turned in to fire wood.