Challenges Logging a farm

[Trapshooter1]

I have never logged a property. I bought this farm 2 falls ago, and looking to log the timber acres.(I'm working with the state forester) About 24 acres square. So this is where the challenge part begins. My property is cut in half by a small river, with the east half of the river being landlocked.(by the river) a lot of the value logs are on the east side

Neighbor to the east will not allow me access to the east side. So the logs have to cross the river to the west. (I am hoping to log in January/February so the small river is frozen.

Have you had luck winching logs across a frozen small river???? And transporting logging equipment across frozen river?

And lastly I've considered doing this myself and cutting the logger out, and bidding the trees out to the mills myself. (I know several mill owners) Has anyone had luck doing this themselves?

 

[hans1]

Depending on the size of the creek I would think a low water crossing of concrete or rip rap should work. In regards to doing it your self you can for sure if you have access to a skidder or 4 wheel drive utility tractor with a winch. A lot also depends on species as some like Walnut have to be cut certain ways to get max value. Good luck either way.

 

[Daver]

Tell us more. How many logs are across the river? Could you drag them up to the bank and then winch them over the river? I like the idea of making a low water crossing like Hans asked about.

I have heard good reports of people cutting their own logs and then taking bids on them once cut, I think that is a good approach.

 

[Trapshooter1]

Silver Maples will be the trees of value. Ranging from 18-30 inches in diameter. We will be doing a conservative cut of mature trees. I'd say 80% of them are in the east side. Im not 100% how many there are, he give me a rough estimate on the value.

My idea was build a temporary crossing, take a 60 horsepower tractor across with chains. Section the trees down to 16ft sticks, drag the 16ft sections to a area, and take a big tractor with long large log chains from the West side and drag them across the ice, up the bank on the other side.(Would have to be an area where the bank isn't steep)

 

[Bucksnbears]

Can you get a bobcat with a grapple across?

 

[IowaBowHunter1983]

I am intrigued by the logging it yourself method. For those that have done it, what is your process? Pile logs up at landing zone on farm then invite mills out to bid on the pile? Who is responsible for hauling from that point?

On another note, I am wrapping up a soft maple sale right now. I had several loggers tell me they couldn't find a buyer for maple at this time, so we ended up selling it all as pallet wood. I was OK with that as money was not my main objective. Maybe there is a better market in your area.

 

[Daver]

I am intrigued by the logging it yourself method. For those that have done it, what is your process? Pile logs up at landing zone on farm then invite mills out to bid on the pile? Who is responsible for hauling from that point?

On another note, I am wrapping up a soft maple sale right now. I had several loggers tell me they couldn't find a buyer for maple at this time, so we ended up selling it all as pallet wood. I was OK with that as money was not my main objective. Maybe there is a better market in your area.

I have not done it myself, but talking with others that have...yes, you cut and bring the logs to a staging area on your property. There, the potential buyers are able to view them and grade them and then shoot you their bid on the lot of them.

You select the winning bidder and then they come to get them and haul them away. My understanding is that the winning bidder was responsible for hauling...but I suppose that could be negotiated either way. I think it sounds like a very good way to manage a sale.

 

[IowaBowHunter1983]

I have not done it myself, but talking with others that have...yes, you cut and bring the logs to a staging area on your property. There, the potential buyers are able to view them and grade them and then shoot you their bid on the lot of them.

You select the winning bidder and then they come to get them and haul them away. My understanding is that the winning bidder was responsible for hauling...but I suppose that could be negotiated either way. I think it sounds like a very good way to manage a sale.

I agree, assuming you can get buyers to show up!

 

[Snail3496]

I am intrigued by the logging it yourself method. For those that have done it, what is your process? Pile logs up at landing zone on farm then invite mills out to bid on the pile? Who is responsible for hauling from that point?

On another note, I am wrapping up a soft maple sale right now. I had several loggers tell me they couldn't find a buyer for maple at this time, so we ended up selling it all as pallet wood. I was OK with that as money was not my main objective. Maybe there is a better market in your area.

Have you logged off soft maples before or is this the first time? Was it bottom ground?

Asking because I have 30ac of wide open river bottoms that's almost exclusively mature silver maple. Have been chewing on the idea of cutting it, but just have no experience with what type of succession will follow being bottom ground. Thoughts?

 

[IowaBowHunter1983]

Have you logged off soft maples before or is this the first time? Was it bottom ground?

Asking because I have 30ac of wide open river bottoms that's almost exclusively mature silver maple. Have been chewing on the idea of cutting it, but just have no experience with what type of succession will follow being bottom ground. Thoughts?

Yes this is my 3rd time harvesting maples. I typically see cottonwood in the same type of setting. It gets REALLY thick once trees are removed UNLESS it floods often.

 

[hans1]

With the additional information about the species I will add that’s important to understand the economics of doing it yourself. the average maple tree will have maybe 250-300 board feet in it. Some will be more some less. The average board foot price if it’s cut at the right time of year is maybe .60 a board foot. Some clear grade logs will bring 1.00-1.50 a board foot. A lot will be pallet at .25-30 cents. If you sell your trees stumpage ”Standing ” The mill will be paying some one to cut and skid about .15-.20 a bdft. The trucking will be anywhere from .20-.30 a bdft. So this may only leave the landowner with .20 a bdft. So if you can gain an extra 30.00 a tree is that really worth to cut and skid. The other big thing is bring the trees to the landing full length. The right lengths and cutting for the best grade has a lot to do with value. I would also cut late fall/ early winter as Maple must be cut and sold before the Sap is up and the temperature gets warm.

 

[IowaBowHunter1983]

FYI, getting $ .45 for pallet wood to the mill.

 

[hans1]

Thanks for the above,current market pricing always helps. The .45 cents at the Mill would be .25-30 cents on the landing to allow for trucking.
I almost only cut Walnut so there is little/no pallet. I have a small cable skidder so I cant do high volume harvests.Timber cutting is my hobby/passion so take that into consideration.
Back to the original question about the creek. One cool trick I saw on a River bottom Walnut job was to get the skidder across once, Then grab each tree with the grapple so the butt was under the machine lift up and back up until the top was on the opposite creek bank.Once all the tops can be reached on the good side of the creek recross and drag to the landing.