Oak log prices in the SE

[scsmith42]

Up until now I have been acquiring my white oak logs from tree service companies; however I am exploring starting to purchase logs from concentration yards and would like to find out more about prices.

Reading the timber reports, current hardwood sawtimber stumpage prices for landowners is around $20.00 per ton.  I'm presuming that the concentration yard is purchasing the logs for around $45.00 per ton, or thereabouts.

I need to purchase larger diameter logs for quartersawing, preferably greater than 24" on the small end.

One yard has quoted me $100.00 per ton to sell me white oak logs that are 20" small end diameter and larger, clear 3 faces or better, based upon a 30 ton per month volume, or thereabouts, picked up at the yard. 

This works out to be around .60 per bd ft, which almost seems a bit on the high side.

Can anyone share any thoughts regarding the price range of larger diameter WO logs at a concentration yard, as well as what the loggers are selling them for?

Thanks much.

Scott

[WDH]

Scott,

I don't have a lot of data, but around here, $45/ton delivered is a good grade hardwood log price.  That would put the stumpage at the $20 - $25/ton range.  That is for logs with a 10" - 12" top minimum. 

However, logs that were 24" on the small end would bring a premium, but I would not think as much as $100/ton.  You challenge will be to find enough white oak of that size and grade to make up a load from the woods.  That will make it necessary to buy from a woodyard or sawmill log inventory where they have sorted the logs for size and species.  That definitely reduces your leverage as they likely have a captive market.  The only way that you might be able to get them interested enough to deal with you is with price.

Another option is to get to know the loggers and timber buyers in your area and offer to go to the woods and mark the high value trees that you want on timber tracts that they have bought.  Then, you can come to the landing and pick them up as they are harvested.  That reduces the need to have the loggers deliver an entire load at a time to you.  Again, however, you will have to pay them more than the "market" price to get them interested in going through the extra effort.

Maybe Jake will chime in as he sees a lot of big oak logs on the logyard where he saws the oversize logs and the long length specialty orders for a large hardwood sawmill.   

[zopi]

And remember...loggers like beer.

[mrbuck50]

Or better yet.......come to Georgia and cut my 6 acres. I have been talking with local guys and none want to mess with a lot this small. The guy that looked at it told me it is full of white and red oak "great" logs. I can tell you most are good and tall .....40' give or take.

Just a thought....... 8)

[scsmith42]

Danny / Zopi - thanks for the advice!

MrBuck, thanks for the offer, but I'm afraid that the transportation costs might be a wee bit prohibitive...  Unless your 6 acre lot is full of 50" diameter oak trees....

[stavebuyer]

I sell Quartersawn White Oak logs 3 sides clear 18"+ for $1100mbf doyle on my yard.

[scsmith42]

I sell Quartersawn White Oak logs 3 sides clear 18"+ for $1100mbf doyle on my yard.

Wish that we were closer...

[KyMasterLogger]

I sell Quartersawn White Oak logs 3 sides clear 18"+ for $1100mbf doyle on my yard.

wheres your yard?

[Banjo picker]

I sell Quartersawn White Oak logs 3 sides clear 18"+ for $1100mbf doyle on my yard.

Wish that we were closer...

Would you not be better off paying the $100 bucks a ton...? ???  Banjo

[stavebuyer]

I sell Quartersawn White Oak logs 3 sides clear 18"+ for $1100mbf doyle on my yard.

wheres your yard?

Yards at Pine Knot & Monticello

[stavebuyer]

I sell Quartersawn White Oak logs 3 sides clear 18"+ for $1100mbf doyle on my yard.

Wish that we were closer...

Would you not be better off paying the $100 bucks a ton...? ???  Banjo

He would be much better off at $100 a ton. The trucks hauling the logs weigh on our scales and have no problem averaging 3,500' plus for 25 tons. Thats $140 a ton. Larger logs get cheaper per bdt/ft by weight scale as the diameter and scale increase.

[KyMasterLogger]

I sell Quartersawn White Oak logs 3 sides clear 18"+ for $1100mbf doyle on my yard.

wheres your yard?

Yards at Pine Knot & Monticello

thought you may have been in western ky somewhere.

[customsawyer]

The big mills get in more of these big logs than a person would think. You have to make it to where it benefits them or why should they bother. What kind of lengths are you looking to buy?
If I was to pursue this I would think that 600/m would be a fair rate since these are the logs that the mill use to keep the quality of there lumber up, as we all know they will get better grade out of these logs than they will the smaller ones. Especially if you are wanting clear on 3 sides.
You can get the logs from a logger cheaper than you will from the mill.  The trouble in this area is that a fair amount of the wood is bought by the mill and the loggers just work for them.

[scsmith42]

Good advice all, thx.

I'm milling lengths of 8'3", 10'6", and 12'6".  If I get a 16 footer, I cut it in half.

[Timbertiger00]

We just had a sale and the white oak that size went for 1.50 per foot up to 4 dollars

[scsmith42]

The yard called yesterday, they have 6 - 8 more 20+, 3 sides or better clear logs for me to pick up.  This may turn out to be a good deal.

Thanks all for the feedback.

Scott

[WDH]

Yes, this looks like it will turn out very nice.  A few pics would whet our curiousity  .