urban log value

[Kelvin]

Urban logging is a perfect niche market.  Urban areas now are starting to have good log production, though it think what is urban is the new 5 acre size lots that are popping up around this state at least.  i've heard of loggers going into neigborhoods where houses where built into exsiting forests.  People get sick of the all the trees and no sun.  They make a deal with everyone they can in the neighborhood and actually cleaned up well and would be welcomed back.  As log values increase, and large stands of good size timber becomes more scarce urban logs will become more and more important a source for small sawmills.  It certainly can be a good way to go.  Just recently some friends of mine who live a block from the capital here in Lansing Michigan were approached by loggers going door to door offering $300 or so for each of their pretty good sized walnut yard trees.  I'm sure they get some takers in the poor areas.  They clean up everything and the people can actually grow stuff in their yards now that the walnuts are gone and not poisoning everything anymore!
There are more and more articles out there talking about how much urban material could be going into the sawmill market as urban sprawl has built up lots of old forest areas.  They take skilled cutting, personal skills to deal with lots of people, and good follow up to make sure lawns are'nt torn up, and all the brush is taken care of. 
I think this area of logging will be a growth area in the next 10 years, though i don't know too much.  I've just seen a lot of the state timber stands here and they are pathetic little oak trees, about 12"-16" and people are fighting over the rights.  People fly planes over the countryside looking at farmers woodlots and trying to find those looked over trees that haven't been cut in 50 years.  I know my grandparents get a knock on the door every couple of years from some local nut job looking to screw them out of their big timber.
It seems like the logging of the future will be different.  Specialized equipment, and smaller amounts of logs.  Though the tree services here in lansing sure won't give up a single log.  They know when they have something of value.  The certainly don't give away veneer grade oaks when they find a stand and make a mint cutting them.  They sure can drive their own truck full of logs to the local veneer buyer.  Cherry, walnut, hard maple, and oak i would think they can sell on their own here.  There would be lots of other lower grade variaties that would be available though.
KP

[Back40x2]

  Here in Maine, I have been doing this for 4 years now.  I have never paid more then firewood prices for any log off someones lawn or city street.  You guys are crazy for paying more then that.  Up here, most people (Tree Services) give them away.  I will be honest thou, since the gas wars started, some of the companies do charge.  Simply because so many people like myself are using the outdoor wood furnaces.  It's quite simple really.  If you know the mills in your area are not going to take the logs for fear of Metal, why pay tree companies more.  Call their bluff. DO you your homework and check with the local mills/logyards.  If they know they are comming from yards and curbside, 99.9 of 100 will not take them.  Don't let them buffalo  you.  They'll take firewood prices.  Besides, they have nothing to loose.  The person having the tree removed has already paid to have it gone.  You are actually saving the tree company money from having to pay to landfill them.

[dad2nine]

If you know the mills in your area are not going to take the logs for fear of Metal, why pay tree companies more.  Call their bluff. DO you your homework and check with the local mills/logyards.  If they know they are comming from yards and curbside, 99.9 of 100 will not take them.  Don't let them buffalo  you.  They'll take firewood prices.  Besides, they have nothing to loose.  The person having the tree removed has already paid to have it gone.  You are actually saving the tree company money from having to pay to landfill them.

Straight talk and very well said, specifically the "Don't let them buffalo you. They'll take firewood prices." part

[Cedarman]

A few years ago I signed a gas lease for our acreage.  The gas company can run lines where they need too.  So to keep the lines from running through my good woods unless absolutlely necessary I inserted into the lease some conditions.  That any timber that had to be removed for the right of way would be valued by a consultant forester and I would be paid.  In addition, I would get to  cut all the trees and keep the wood in the right of way.
Furbyyou are right, the clearing company doesn't necessarily own the wood.

[urbanlumberinc]

I just finished a conversation with a guy that is contemplating buying a mill and sawing urban wood for a living like I do.  Just like I did when I was starting out, the guy has all kinds of missconceptions about how to go about getting wood.  Firtst point I made to him was that you pay nothing for the wood whenever possible, there are a few exceptions to this rule, but 99.44% of the time you're providing payment enough just by removing a log.  I hoped to impress upon him the costs associated with doing business and that the whole profit picture depends on getting the logs for free. 

[johncinquo]

A lot of the power guys, (Consumers around here) lot clearing guys and tree service guys have bought outdoor wood burners.   They'll set the tree out by the street and come back and get it for themselves for firewood.  Giving away trees is going to get tighter every year.