Pine Logs pricing

Dave989 · October 25, 2015, 10:52:57 AM

I have operated a woodmizer portable sawmill for a number of years now as a hobby. I am now branching out and looking to start buying logs. I live in central WI and I am wondering what the going price for pine logs are. Do the different species vary in price? How do loggers determine their pricing? Also how do other mills determine the price of the lumber they sell. Thanks in advance for your help.

Magicman · October 25, 2015, 01:52:46 PM

I do not buy logs but I can say Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Dave989.

Knute · October 25, 2015, 02:05:54 PM

This is just my best guess, but I would say $200-$400/1000. Others will know more.

1938farmall · October 25, 2015, 03:26:44 PM

talk to local loggers - i would think they would be glad to sell to you for a small premium over what they get at the mill. also. some haul quite a ways to the mill & if you were closer maybe they would be less. you would have to be talking full loads.

customsawyer · October 25, 2015, 06:27:01 PM

Welcome to the forum.

hunz · October 25, 2015, 08:54:07 PM

Talked to a couple loggers this weekend, they were hauling about 45min-hour and getting $300/thousand for white pine here in WNC

jim blodgett · October 25, 2015, 10:10:43 PM

What scale do people use to buy and sell logs? Doyle? Scribner? Something else?

Chuck White · October 25, 2015, 10:18:38 PM

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Dave989.

Quote from: Dave989 on October 25, 2015, 10:52:57 AM
I have operated a woodmizer portable sawmill for a number of years now as a hobby. I am now branching out and looking to start buying logs. I live in central WI and I am wondering what the going price for pine logs are. Do the different species vary in price? How do loggers determine their pricing? Also how do other mills determine the price of the lumber they sell. Thanks in advance for your help.

My guess is the loggers gage their pricing by the price at the sawmill.

Not long ago, White Pine logs could be bought on a landing, in this area for around $200.00/1,0000 bf.

I've seen less and I've seen more $$$$.

Kingmt · October 25, 2015, 10:35:36 PM

Quote from: jim blodgett on October 25, 2015, 10:10:43 PM
What scale do people use to buy and sell logs? Doyle? Scribner? Something else?

I don't buy & sale but I have a app that I use to get a rough idea of the weight of a log. It will also count board get for me. I think it is pretty close. It actually has countless calculators in it. It's called Handyman's Calculator on Google Play Store.

Bandmill Bandit · October 25, 2015, 10:50:20 PM

I tend to by em by the ton. keeps it simple. i scale em for my own info but i pay by the ton. right now i am not paying for most of what I get and quite a few I am getting paid to haul them away.

POSTON WIDEHEAD · October 26, 2015, 03:05:34 AM

Buying timber from loggers around here is just about extinct.
So much timber theft.
Cameras are set up at gates leading to timber tracts. Pictures are taken of every load as it leaves.
At the end of the day, weight tickets from the big mills must balance with the loads that left the timber tract.

I generally buy logs from land developers who are clearing for housing.

I pay 150/200 and some are free.

fishfighter · October 26, 2015, 07:09:09 AM

Quote from: POSTONLT40HD on October 26, 2015, 03:05:34 AM
Buying timber from loggers around here is just about extinct.
So much timber theft.
Cameras are set up at gates leading to timber tracts. Pictures are taken of every load as it leaves.
At the end of the day, weight tickets from the big mills must balance with the loads that left the timber tract.

I generally buy logs from land developers who are clearing for housing.

I pay 150/200 and some are free.

Thank God for that. Last time they cut on my place, I was rip off big time. Had a forester come in, mark/select cut and knew what was to go to the mill. Came out less then half. >:( Needles to say, those people will never step back on my place. I do a select cut about once every 25-30 years in selected areas.

millwright · October 26, 2015, 11:07:11 AM

I generally charge 250 per thousand for sawing, or 250 for softwood logs delivered to my yard.

OffGrid973 · October 26, 2015, 08:47:23 PM

Make friends with some local tree guys and let them know you can "cut" them in on deals if the operation takes off. Or that you can cut boards to redo their trailers...barter barter barter everyone needs custom wood

logboy · October 26, 2015, 11:13:12 PM

I'm in NW Wisconsin. Around here you can get white pine delivered for $400 a thousand, and red pine for $350. Those are logger and timber company prices. If youre a small start up then check with the local tree services for smaller quantities. Some timber companies Ive checked for custom orders dont want to touch an order unless you buy a few truckloads.

Dave989 · October 27, 2015, 10:24:23 AM

Thank you all for your answers so far. It has been helpful. I found one logger with white pine logs who will charge me $150 a cord. I thought the price was a little high.

logboy · October 27, 2015, 09:43:24 PM

Quote from: Dave989 on October 27, 2015, 10:24:23 AM
Thank you all for your answers so far. It has been helpful. I found one logger with white pine logs who will charge me $150 a cord. I thought the price was a little high.

It takes 2.2 cord to get a thousand bf. So he's charging you $330 a thousand or $70 less than I pay. If you have a market for it then stock up on logs this winter. Just make sure you're not putting the cart ahead of the horse in all this. Find out what people want to buy and then saw it. Don't saw a whole bunch of random stuff and then try to find people to buy it or you'll quickly be overrun with lumber and no home for it.