Log Ownership

[flattail]

O.K. the landowner sells the timber to a logger who logs the property.Question is when does leftover wood become the property of the landowner.When can they sell firewood or leftover logs on their own property without conflict from the logger? I could salvage some short wood from the property but who owns it.I'm a hobby mill and don't need straight 10 footers (would love them)but some of the logs I've seen left behind would be great for me to work with.

[JRWoodchuck]

I would chat with the logger and see what his plan with them is. Then you will know where you stand.

[WV Sawmiller]

   I'd make sure to cover it in the contract between me and the logger. If a handshake deal and not previously discussed I'd talk with him now. If you are not the landowner I'd talk to him first.

    I'd be very surprised if anybody minded you getting the scrap logs but they need to know for safety, insurance and scheduling issues. They may give you some pointers about areas to avoid or those that are open. They may have promised the firewood to someone else and it could get sticky without prior discussions.

[Ron Wenrich]

The logger bought the tree.  It is his until the contract runs out or there is final settlement.  There may be stipulations in the contract that states that tops remain the property of the landowner.  If I'm a logger and you go in and cut wood and do damage or get hurt, who do you think has the liability?   The logger may sell you stuff off of the landing. 

[Chuck White]

You might want to include this subject in the contract!

Maybe something like:  When the logging equipment is pulled off of the property, the ownership of the short logs, cull logs, firewood & tops revert to the property owner!

[drobertson]

I would talk to the land owner first,  and know the arrangements, then talk to the logger. You are not farfro here. And as it happens many times the timber is thinned, mainly for spacing, and cash for the land owner, smaller scale, independent  loggers more often take the good and Leave the scrap.  Many more options to look at, what was being loaded out? Tree length, doubles, any scragg? How does the landing look? This could tell you a lot,

[Magicman]

All of the marked trees as well as the downed tops belong to the buyer until the contract expiration date or until they finish.  After the logger completes his operation, the buyer may make a visit to the property to assure that all marked trees were harvested.  After he is satisfied, he notifies the consulting forester who makes the final inspection.  After this, the landowner is again in charge and can remove whatever he chooses.