Buying Maple Logs?

[qbilder]

Who sells them & how does a small mill go about buying them? I would most prefer wood from northern WI, UP MI, etc. Until now I have always cut my own trees, but am considering a new endeavor that would require a higher volume of logs than I can get alone. The catch is that I'd have to pick the logs. Do loggers sell to small mills?         

[beenthere]

Now might be a good time to visit the UP of MI and northern WI and get into some conversations going with some loggers (may be at the local coffee stop), and could also make contact with some Forestry Consultants working those areas. They either/or might know of maple stands being cut or soon to be cut and can work out details about selling logs to you.
I'd suspect you'd want to find and pick your load of logs from a landing where they are spread out (much like a veneer log buyer would do).
Or get put in touch with a log grader/scaler that would know your specs and pick logs for you.

The weather isn't all that great at this time, but might have better chances finding someone "at home" rather than being busy in the woods.

PM member Ron Scott, as he likely knows more than just about anyone how to go about this.

[rimshot]

Who sells them & how does a small mill go about buying them? I would most prefer wood from northern WI, UP MI, etc. Until now I have always cut my own trees, but am considering a new endeavor that would require a higher volume of logs than I can get alone. The catch is that I'd have to pick the logs. Do loggers sell to small mills?       

=====================

I'm in the U.P.  Matter of fact I cut some  nice Hard Maple into 1 " boards this last year.   I chose to cut mostly Eastern White Cedar and cut tons of it.  I sold about 300 board feet but it doesn't move these days.  I should have cut a hardwood like  ash or maybe Maple.  At least the handy men would buy it.  IU do have some Hard Maple, ash and birch in 1" plus some 2 1/2" mantle and table top slabs out there.

Be glad to hook you up with some jobbers.  I think there might be a run on hardwood this year.  Not from handy men building furniture but from wood  stove heat mongers. .  Never give a wood chucker an even break.  He just might sneak up on you and buy up the maple right under your nose.  (big grin)

Hit me with a pm if you might be interested.  Yikes!  Trucking wil be through the roof.rimshot

[qbilder]

Thanks, fellows! Much appreciated. Rimshot, I will PM you & we can figure something out. No trucking required. I'll drag my trailer up there & pick a load of logs if they're there. What I need isn't really veneer quality, but gotta be able to get 3' sections that are straight with no knots or twisty grain. Even with veneer quality logs, I buck them into the best 36" sections before milling. 

[thecfarm]

3 foot logs? What's the lumber being used for?

[jueston]

3 foot logs? What's the lumber being used for?

yes, inquiring minds want to know what a 3 foot long 3 inch thick piece of maple is used for! 

[beenthere]

As his name indicates, he is a pool Que builder. ;)

From his previous posts, sounds like some hi-quality ques too.

[Magicman]

Even though this is not in the "For Sale" board, I would think that a 5% commission to the Forestry Forum would be in order for any transactions.

[rimshot]

Majic,

Remember what Boss Hogg used to say to his buddy the Sheriff on the Dukes of Hazzard. :You get 50% of 50% of 50% OF 50% OF 50%. ETC.

RIMSHOT

[qbilder]

 :D Yes, I use the maple for billiard cues. That's why it has to be so straight grained and clean.  Here's a pic of one of my cues. Made this one several years ago from Indian rosewood, koa, and maple. The shafts are what I need the really clean, straight logs for. I'm in the process of cutting some stock into shaft squares today, and will try to get a pic if I can. All I have to end up with is 1"x1"x30" turning squares where the grain runs straight from end to end with no knots. Seems simple enough but you'd be surprised how much waste is created.   

  

[woodworker9]

From a guy who put himself through college shootin' stick, nice looking cues!

WW9

[thecfarm]

Yes,they do look good.

[qbilder]

  Thank you for the comments

[MSSawmill]

Wow! That's a gorgeous cue... Especially when you consider it's a one-of-a-kind, built by hand model! Really makes me want to build the house so I can get my table out of storage.

[GAB]

qbilder:
Thanks for the educational/informative posts.
I have between 5 and 7K bdft of maple all sawed and air drying in the yard and if any of it would meet your requirements it would be by accident.  Gerald