trees sold by linear foot?

[SRM]

I was wondering why a gas line company would buy standing timber by the linear foot.  Do they take the
entire tree? how are the trees measured...to first large branch or to the top of the tree?  This is
driving me crazy.  I think my neighbor got $6000.00 for 2000 linear feet of lumber and they are bragging about
the profit.  Wouldn't they have done better to sell by the board foot?  The gas company is coming to my place,
and I don't want to lose too much money for my trees?  Can anyone help explain what is going on.

[Ianab]

There are many different ways to measure logs.

The various log scales that estimate the bd/ft in logs.

Or by the cord, which is a measure of stacked firewood.

Or by the ton, in which case you weigh the trucks in and out of the pulp mill.

So it depends where the logs are being sold as to how they are measured.

Probably worth talking to a professional forester, even if it costs a few dollars for a quick consult. If the tress on your land are worth more than the gas company is offering, then get them harvested yourself and pocket the extra. If it's better to take their offer, then go with it.

Ian

[thecfarm]

What ever way they scale,it's in thier favor.

[gunman63]

thats 3 bucks a foot, not  bad depending on the tree, is it  junky old  pulp or nice  pine cabin logs, or veneer walnut, ya need to know the kind of wood and log quality

[beenthere]

I was wondering why a gas line company would buy standing timber by the linear foot.  Do they take the
entire tree? how are the trees measured...to first large branch or to the top of the tree?  This is
driving me crazy.  I think my neighbor got $6000.00 for 2000 linear feet of lumber and they are bragging about
the profit.  Wouldn't they have done better to sell by the board foot?  The gas company is coming to my place,
and I don't want to lose too much money for my trees?  Can anyone help explain what is going on.

"I think my neighbor got $6000.00 for 2000 linear feet of lumber"

Is that what you meant, or meant 2000 linear feet of logs?  
Seems some confusion as to what units to apply to trees, logs, or lumber. Maybe just translation from the neighbor?

But some good explanations have been presented.

[Frickman]

Was it two thousand linear feet of right-of-way?

[Woodboogah]

There are to many variables.   Your best bet is to talk to a licensed forester in your area that can point you in the right direction.  Usually logs are sold by bdft.  Maybe they gave him money for 200' of right of way like mentioned.  Hard tellin' not knowin'.

[jcbrotz]

In my neck of the woods NEPA they are paying by the linear foot of land and they have  now started to call it per acre Price is the same maybe a little less. They all say they pay you for your trees but funny thing is they pay the same for fields as they do woods. I do know one guy who got payed for his trees and thats only because they cut his woods out and were not suposed to be on him , needless to say that was payment to not have to pay a lot more. I affectionetly call it the land of the gasholes,there are 4 pipeline running within 1 mile of the house and there isnt a road the gas companys havent destroyed in the county. OH well the price of progress, On a good not they have not ruined my water yet.

[SwampDonkey]

I suppose if it was processed wood, the linear feet was tabulated from the machine's computer. But it seems high unless it was all big wood, 14+ top end.

You sure it wasn't tree length based on tonnage ? Usually a logging contractor has a contract to cut such ROW's and buying based on what you have presented seems a bit whacko.

My suspicion is $6000 for 200 tons of wood.

[breederman]

Around here they are paying by the linear foot of right a way, then clearing it and leaving the timber. The land owner can then do what they want with it. Getting paid twice ain't too bad a deal.

[Ron Scott]

The landowner needs to be sure that they cut the timber in useable lenghts. ;)