Where to market walnut logs in Oklahoma?

francismilker · December 01, 2012, 09:28:21 PM

Had a friend call me yesterday and tell me that the electrical transmission line that's coming through his place is going to take out a "semi load" or walnuts. He says some of them are 30" plus trees.

He was told by a "logger" that he would give him $40 per ton for his walnuts. Now I'm no wood expert and I also realize that all walnuts are not created equal. However, if some of these trees are good grade I'd think $40 per ton would be robbery. Keep in mind, logging is not a way of life in these parts. I've only known of about three different hardwood loggers come through my neck of the woods in the last 30 years and all of them have left a heap of bad debts, mad landowners, and a big mess in their path.

I almost want to ere on the side of caution and tell him someone's trying to scam him but I'd rather be able to give him another avenue to find out fair pricing.

Does anyone have a resource or some info on selling logs in SE Oklahoma. Any info would be appreciated.

WDH · December 01, 2012, 09:35:13 PM

Actually, if that is an "on the stump" price, that is not a bad price. "Regular" hardwood is about half that in your area. There is no commercial market for walnut in your area, so most of it gets hauled to the pallet mill if it gets cut.

It is only robbery if there is a much better alternative. Unfortunately, I suspect that he does not have a better alternative. I suggest that you buy them or cut them for him and sell the lumber. That is the best way to get the most value.

francismilker · December 01, 2012, 10:03:14 PM

WDH,

I've actually considered sawing them for him and I know he'd be happy to do that. However, back a few years ago when I had my last mill I done some sawing of walnut logs that had been laying down a few months and they were extremely hard to slice. With my mill being only a "hobby" at this point, I feel like it might take me quite a bit of time to get it tackled considering the milling comes in about fifth place behind family, church, work, and milking cows just to name a few.

How long can I expect to let them lay in my woodlot before they get too hard to handle with an LT-10? And, would you recommend changing band degree angles to accomplish this task?

francismilker · December 01, 2012, 10:06:46 PM

Forgot to mention, that's not an "on the stump" price. My friend has to cut them down and haul them about 35 miles to the guy.

mikeb1079 · December 01, 2012, 10:17:17 PM

i would think that you'd have at least a year or two before the sawing becomes tougher. my homebuilt mill is comparable to an lt 10 or 15 and i recently sawed a mixed load of walnut that had sat anywhere from 1-10? years. the really really old (no sap wood at all, log completely bleached grey by the sun, and almost dry) logs were definitely harder to saw (oh yes they were also brimming with nails :D :D) but the more recent weren't bad. i've had good luck running woodmizer's 4 degree bands, although i can't remember if they supply those for the lt10. my vote is saw em!

123maxbars · December 02, 2012, 01:39:14 AM

Black Walnut is my best seller, I am located in TN and have found a great market for walnut. My market consist of only one customer.

I saw him nothing but 5/4 walnut that has to be atleast 12in wide and mostly clear. He takes them green and dries them at his work shop. After that he ships them in furniture kits to woodworking school across the country. He takes as much as I can get from the loggers. It took me a few months to find a market for them but I advertised on craigs list that I had a good supply of walnut logs and that how he found me. I would beat that if you did the same people would come to you. If you dont have the time or your mill isnt ideal for the logs I would take them to a bigger mill and pay the saw bill and you will still come out ahead. If they are 30 diam logs you will have some very wide boards that are worth alot of money. For me walnut is like buying silver and gold, the price is always good on my return.

I love sawing walnut and I think its the best wood out there. Here is a picture of what I sawed today. This was a huge walnut log that I got about 250 board feet from. The board in the pic is 5/4 thick and 17in wide, wasnt the ideal picture lighting but better than nothing. Do a little research and I bet you will have good luck,

123maxbars · December 02, 2012, 10:52:01 AM

I also was going to mention, if you do saw the logs, after drying you can sometime sale them on ebay. I have sold a few board on ebay in the past few months.

Ianab · December 02, 2012, 01:57:27 PM

If no one is buying walnut logs locally, that also suggest no one is selling walnut lumber either?

This suggests an opportunity ;)

As you have a mill, you have a source of logs, get a few sawn and start air drying them. Then advertise the boards and slabs. Wide boards, live edge slabs etc. Stuff that people can't buy off the shelf.

You can also advertise a whole log, "cut to order".

Another way to process and sell logs is to simply slice though and though, and re-sticker it to dry in original order. All the stack is then from the same tree, and all the boards are "book matched". So when you build a piece of furniture all the wood is the same colour and grain.

Ian

francismilker · December 03, 2012, 07:07:25 AM

Thanks so much for all the replies on this one. I've told my friend I will saw a few and he's going to try and market them elsewhere than the $40 per ton at his cutting and delivery expense.

Thanks again.

Okrafarmer · December 03, 2012, 08:35:18 AM

There's somebody, somewhere, that wants them.

ely · December 03, 2012, 09:02:50 AM

where in SE okla are you/trees located. the last black walnut i bought was .35 cents a bd ft at my mill. that was a couple years back.
i also know a fellow in shawnee with a mill that may be interested in them.

i am in atoka county, the trick is finding someone closer to you so it cuts your shipping costs.

NWP · December 03, 2012, 09:41:41 AM

Call Missouri Walnut in Neosho MO. I've sold to them and they provided transportation. I'm near KC so maybe roughly the same distance you are from them. It was a couple of years ago but I averaged about $1 per bd ft. at my place.

francismilker · December 03, 2012, 11:19:20 AM

I forwarded this info along. I am near Ada, OK.

I think I'm going to cut a few of them and sticker them out in the barn for safe keeping. It might be a year or two before I have need of them but all they should collect out there is a little dust that the planer will take care of when I get ready to do something with them.

Thanks all.