I'm 90% certain walnut, white oak and soft maple remain strong.
IMO- Any size lumber grade walnut 19-20" dbh and above, 26"+ veneer and any along creek bank that might fall in are smart sale. I highly recommend getting a conservation minded forester out there to give you advice. The second u get opinions that have $ involved in any way- 99% of the time your smaller veneer walnuts will be targeted before they should be taken.
But yes, I believe the market is strong and get several opinions from foresters in your area.
IMO- Any size lumber grade walnut 19-20" dbh and above, 26"+ veneer and any along creek bank that might fall in are smart sale. I highly recommend getting a conservation minded forester out there to give you advice. The second u get opinions that have $ involved in any way- 99% of the time your smaller veneer walnuts will be targeted before they should be taken.
But yes, I believe the market is strong and get several opinions from foresters in your area.
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Hardwood11
It is going to be a good fall!
I don't think walnut will ever be cheap, you read about incredible demand for Midwest walnut...much of it overseas.
One thing I've had to do.... hold my nose when and grit my teeth with guys going into my timber to look to bid. Cool down and leaves start falling too- buyers love looking to bid. The same time I do not want guys in my timber!!! I usually try and bid it out at another time that makes sense. Non hunting time & give guys lots of flexibility.
I also had a smaller sale I did on junk where guys cut all sept. Ended up being fine.
Rut Nut
RUT_NUT
More info about this in Whitetail Management section.
https://iowawhitetail.com/forum/threads/oak-logs.55894/
https://iowawhitetail.com/forum/threads/oak-logs.55894/
Think about this one guys....
Florida and Texas, massive destruction and rebuilding. Supply, building, labor and material costs WILL GO UP around the country, period. A lot of those homes in Florida especially "High end rich folk's homes". I was asking my buddy that's a builder.... "so, like walnut, oak, etc - stuff for cabinets, furniture, desks, etc, etc, etc - likely to go up?". He's a smart cookie.... "OH YEAH" he says. Makes sense I guess. I got 3 iowa buddies who do machinery or construction work that just picked up shop to go south because of how lucrative it is for them. Interesting impact this MIGHT have on Iowa timber prices, possibly.
Florida and Texas, massive destruction and rebuilding. Supply, building, labor and material costs WILL GO UP around the country, period. A lot of those homes in Florida especially "High end rich folk's homes". I was asking my buddy that's a builder.... "so, like walnut, oak, etc - stuff for cabinets, furniture, desks, etc, etc, etc - likely to go up?". He's a smart cookie.... "OH YEAH" he says. Makes sense I guess. I got 3 iowa buddies who do machinery or construction work that just picked up shop to go south because of how lucrative it is for them. Interesting impact this MIGHT have on Iowa timber prices, possibly.
bigbuckhunter88
PMA Member
The iowa Dnr has foresters available to you.
www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-Staff-Offices/Forestry-Bureau-Staff
Start with the state foresters. They wont handle a timber sale, but they will provide advice and names of private foresters in your area. 5 minute phone call and you will be off and running in the right direction.
U mean what % the Forster take? If so.... private foresters usually get around 10% of the sale. Loggers bid and take all marked logs. A good private forester will watch the process close. The “best” private forester- IMO- is hard to find.... a guy who will leave veneer walnuts under 25”. Hard to find because everyone wants as much sold as possible to up the total price. They could care less that a 23” dbh veneer walnut will be worth a fortune more if it could get 3-4” on it. It’s astounding the value increases the last several years put on walnuts. It’s also astounding how many people take em before they can do that. Most people on all sides want fast $ and don’t care what “smart financially planned logging” could be if done right. Find a guy who will help you save your “green tomatoes” - sell your “ripe stuff” and if u kept the “green tomatoes” - you could have a lucatrive second sale in 7-10 years.
If u want to PM me which part of state your land is- I can give u some more advice. If it’s close by me, I probably could help you.
To answer your question another way a lot will depend on the value of your timber and the amount of effort to get the logs out. In average to good timber the total revenue from the logs could be split 50/50 between whoever is cutting and the landowner. If the value of the timber is above average then the total split would go as high as 75%to the landowner and 25%to the logger.
The above advice from Skip is spot on in reference to the exponential growth on true big walnuts. The only other side to consider is there is always the off chance they are older than one thinks and past there prime. I cut a place in September and was surprised that about 75%of the big 24” plus trees had hollow or rot started. Another 10 Year’s and the value would be significantly less. Will try to post some pics
The above advice from Skip is spot on in reference to the exponential growth on true big walnuts. The only other side to consider is there is always the off chance they are older than one thinks and past there prime. I cut a place in September and was surprised that about 75%of the big 24” plus trees had hollow or rot started. Another 10 Year’s and the value would be significantly less. Will try to post some pics
Agree. Please post pics too!!!!
Ya- folks who really know their stuff and are “honest without being overwhelmed with bias” need to help you. I’ve seen what hans1 is talking about too. Extreme example..... by my house it’s a crummy soil ridge. Somehow it’s packed with walnuts even though it’s not a great growing soil & area for them. Many 20” trees are completely worthless. There’s some others towards bottom that’s better soil but were choked out for years. Look younger but they really are just stunted trees. It takes a careful eye but on a basic level- u can see high quality bark that appears totally different than stunted or stressed trees. I’ll snap some pics and post them later on some different trees.
Ya- folks who really know their stuff and are “honest without being overwhelmed with bias” need to help you. I’ve seen what hans1 is talking about too. Extreme example..... by my house it’s a crummy soil ridge. Somehow it’s packed with walnuts even though it’s not a great growing soil & area for them. Many 20” trees are completely worthless. There’s some others towards bottom that’s better soil but were choked out for years. Look younger but they really are just stunted trees. It takes a careful eye but on a basic level- u can see high quality bark that appears totally different than stunted or stressed trees. I’ll snap some pics and post them later on some different trees.
Hardwood11
It is going to be a good fall!
Anyone had a recent bid or sale??
No sales....but
Someone I've gotten to know over the last years purchases for a living. Prices remain strong, especially on walnut, especially to Asia.
Someone I've gotten to know over the last years purchases for a living. Prices remain strong, especially on walnut, especially to Asia.