Veneer Log Question

[AIRASSAULT]

So, I have a big Red Oak in my yard that has just succumbed to Oak Blight (or whatever you call it). At about shoulder to head high, it is about 28 inches in diameter and carries that straight for about 17 feet. In this distance, there is only one about 1" diameter branch and a couple real small knots on the same side of the tree as the branch.. I would say maybe a '3 sides clear' log... I just called up River City Hardwoods in Muscatine to ask them what they were giving for a price for veneer quality wood per board feet if I cut the log down myself and bring it to them. I told the lady on the phone that I've heard of veneer logs (walnut, oak, etc.) going for $1000 plus... Was I wrong in saying that or what? The lady on the phone said "Absolutely never will you ever get that kind of price for any kind of log. I've worked here for 8 years and I've never heard such a thing. Who ever told you that is an absolute liar." She also said they may not take it anyway because it's in my yard and likely has metal in it. As I was typing this, she just called me back and said she talked to the guy (Tom) that gives out the prices and he told her to tell me that "There are no Red Oak Veneer logs around here." He said if I bring the log to them and it was absolutely perfect, I would only get $150 -$175... Does that sound right?

What is the highest amount you've ever heard of logs going for, or, does anyone have a general idea of what I should be able to get and maybe this lady is just blowing smoke up my a$$ to get me to sell it cheaper?

I just want to know before I cut this sucker up and use it to heat my house for the winter. This tree will easily heat my house for close to a month and $175 definately wouldn't be worth cutting it down, hauling it whole, and selling it...

 

[Hardwood11]

So, I have a big Red Oak in my yard that has just succumbed to Oak Blight (or whatever you call it). At about shoulder to head high, it is about 28 inches in diameter and carries that straight for about 17 feet. In this distance, there is only one about 1" diameter branch and a couple real small knots on the same side of the tree as the branch.. I would say maybe a '3 sides clear' log... I just called up River City Hardwoods in Muscatine to ask them what they were giving for a price for veneer quality wood per board feet if I cut the log down myself and bring it to them. I told the lady on the phone that I've heard of veneer logs (walnut, oak, etc.) going for $1000 plus... Was I wrong in saying that or what? The lady on the phone said "Absolutely never will you ever get that kind of price for any kind of log. I've worked here for 8 years and I've never heard such a thing. Who ever told you that is an absolute liar." She also said they may not take it anyway because it's in my yard and likely has metal in it. As I was typing this, she just called me back and said she talked to the guy (Tom) that gives out the prices and he told her to tell me that "There are no Red Oak Veneer logs around here." He said if I bring the log to them and it was absolutely perfect, I would only get $150 -$175... Does that sound right?

What is the highest amount you've ever heard of logs going for, or, does anyone have a general idea of what I should be able to get and maybe this lady is just blowing smoke up my a$$ to get me to sell it cheaper?

I just want to know before I cut this sucker up and use it to heat my house for the winter. This tree will easily heat my house for close to a month and $175 definately wouldn't be worth cutting it down, hauling it whole, and selling it...

She may be correct, although some walnut attracts high prices. I do hear that yard trees are frowned upon due to possible metal and other issues.

That being said, personally I would have the red oak milled into some great lumber (flooring/interior siding, or ??) but firewood works too?

 

[JNRBRONC]

I do hear that yard trees are frowned upon due to possible metal and other issues.

I've heard this stated many times.

I cut down a maple in the farm yard in January and it was unreal all the stuff I found in it: nails, screw hooks and a section of chain on a bolt. All were hidden under the bark and revealed when I split the wood.

 

[Scott]

I have not heard great things about River City so you may want to ask around. If your looking to get rid of it my dad is always looking for rough cut oak boards.

 

[DWilk]

Red oak veneer in Iowa is a rarity, and even then it won't go for as high as good walnut veneer. A yard tree flat out scares most buyers, and if you are only getting one bidder in the mix, they have no reason to pay much. A 28 inch, 17 foot (1 16 ft. log from a 1 ft. stump) is roughly 327 bd ft Scribner form class 78. Even at 35 cents/bd foot which is usually what good red oak goes on the stump, you are only talking a $115 tree, so yeah $150-$175 is probably all they are going to give you if they even make a bid at it.

I run into this kind of thing all the time. A $1000 tree in Iowa is crazy rare, and no way are you going to find an oak that'll bring it. Top of the line walnut (talking top 2%) can squeak over the $1000 mark, but even then, if it's a yard tree, you are going to have a tough time selling it to anyone.

 

[AIRASSAULT]

Thanks for the replies.. I have a friend that has his own sawmill, so, I guess I'll see if he wants it to roughcut, or, I'll be plenty toasty this winter

 

[Daver]

I echo everything said about "yard trees" and I really don't blame the mills either, who knows what some kid nailed to that tree 40 years ago?

I also don't think their pricing is way out of line, although I think you could possibly get a higher price somewhere else. That is, if they would even mess with a yard tree.

I would consider strongly the milling option. Cut it down, mill it and sell the lumber, then you might get quite a bit more for it.

 

[Sligh1]

I'd be heating my home with that. Veneer & Walnut are the 2 words that generally go together on high timber values and are rare. Also- yes, true on yard trees- not desirable for some loggers- metal. After your hassle, I would leave the thing right there and cut your firewood from it, I would never go thru all that hassle for a couple hundred bucks, especially if I needed wood to burn. Could call some other loggers but sounds like you got firewood for the winter.

 

[JNRBRONC]

I cut down a maple in the farm yard in January and it was unreal all the stuff I found in it: nails, screw hooks and a section of chain on a bolt. All were hidden under the bark and revealed when I split the wood.

Here is a pic I shot of the tree after splitting off a section and seeing the chain link in the log. There was no way one could tell it was in there by looking at the bark.

 

[AIRASSAULT]

That chain link is pretty cool

 

[LANDROBBER13]

You will know almost as soon as you cut it down whether or not it has metal in it; if there is metal, you will see a bright blue spot on the face of the cut. The source may only be one nail but the stain will travel many feet in either direction. this is true for any oaks and walnuts. The interesting part is that you could have a horseshoe or 3" diameter pipe in a maple only inches away and there would be absolutly no indication of it on the cut face. I am guessing it has to do with the amount of acid in the wood.
Also, highest price I could see would only bring you about $180....hardly worth the hassle. Time to make some firewood or rough cut lumber for your own use.

 

[JNRBRONC]

That chain link is pretty cool

I thought so too and kept a piece of wood with it when I was done splitting. I just bought a new camera, so figured I'd take a few pics of it tonight. I bought an Olympus Tough TG-310. First pics from it so can't really say much about the camera yet.

 

[Skully]

Most Mills shudder at the idea of a "yard tree". One nail in their high dollar cutting systems can cost hundreds of dollars in down time and blade repairs. I would be a little cautious about rough cutting also. Could cost a lot in blades. I have heard of loggers using a metal detecting device on trees brfore cutting so that may be an option? It would make some dandy fire wood! :way: