Timber question

[jeff...]

This may be a strange question but I need to ask it anyways. Is there a rough order of magnitude formula someone could use to determine the approximate value of an acre of standing mixed mature hardwoods?

Thinking realistic in that it would not be clear cut - it would be more selective cutting and some percentage will be good for saw log and some for firewood other would remain standing because they are to small to harvest.

Thanks

 

[Mike Davis]

Check with the forestry department at NCSU.

 

[Glennbear]

If you are looking for something more accurate than "bunch of big trees and a smattering of small spindly trees" I would agree with Mike's suggestion :rotflm:

 

[Kyle]

It depends upon the maturity of the stand and species.. Definitely contact NCSU forestry. It takes a long time to learn this skill.

 

[DaveO]

Years ago in college my room-mate and best friend was a Forestry major. I helped him cruise timber many times on his family land in VA. He would use a mathematical formula to determine random plots to sample (the randomness helps to remove any biases the Forester might have in evaluating the value of the stand). We would use compasses and measuring string lines to locate the sample plots. We would then sample (measure diameter and height, and record species) the trees within a defined area (100' radius) and with that information he was able to approximate the timber value across the whole acreage.

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/fores...ent/USFS_Timber_Cruising_Handbook_2409.12.pdf

http://www.fs.fed.us/fmsc/measure/cruising/index.shtml

http://www.benmeadows.com/refinfo/techfacts/techpdf/timber_cruising_224.pdf


HTH,
Dave

 

[jeff...]

Years ago in college my room-mate and best friend was a Forestry major. I helped him cruise timber many times on his family land in VA. He would use a mathematical formula to determine random plots to sample (the randomness helps to remove any biases the Forester might have in evaluating the value of the stand). We would use compasses and measuring string lines to locate the sample plots. We would then sample (measure diameter and height, and record species) the trees within a defined area (100' radius) and with that information he was able to approximate the timber value across the whole acreage.

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/fores...ent/USFS_Timber_Cruising_Handbook_2409.12.pdf

http://www.fs.fed.us/fmsc/measure/cruising/index.shtml

http://www.benmeadows.com/refinfo/techfacts/techpdf/timber_cruising_224.pdf


HTH,
Dave

No wonder DaveO is the Wood Forum Moderator - Good info Dave wow thanks a ton man :thumbs_up

 

[TracyP]

Not the same "cruising" I did when I was younger:nah::no::nah:

 

[jeff...]

Not the same "cruising" I did when I was younger:nah::no::nah:

No I guess it's not unless you were timber cruising - it's really funny how words mean different things to different people isn't it.

 

[jeff...]

Quick Response from the forestry department at NCSU

Dear Jeff,

I recommend that you contact one of our Extension Forestry Specialist. Their contact information may be found at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/forestry/staff.htm. They will be happy to assist you with your question.

Regards,

Lisa Schabenberger
Program Coordinator
Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
North Carolina State University
lisa_schabenberger@ncsu.edu
919-513-7368

 

[Trent Mason]

This is a very interesting topic. After your initial question I thought, (assuming I knew anything about sawing wood into boards) I would probably go and take notes on several sample areas in the total area and then average it out from there. Brought back a lot of (foggy) memories from college in Economics.

Dave, thanks for the reading material. I made it through a quarter of the pages in the first link at work tonight. Very interesting. :icon_thum

Best of luck on your quest Jeff. Definitely great knowledge to have.

Cheers, ccasion1

Trent

 

[skysharks]

I can't concentrate on a thing, with Jeff hanging upside down like a bat, :rotflm::slap::dontknow::rotflm:.

I cab't help to think that it would be very subjective.
There would have to be a bunch of different formula's applied to different parts of the state.
Man think of the variables, age, water conditions, soil conditions, elevation, I better stop there, my heads starting to hurt.:rolf:ccasion1

 

[Jeff]

I'd suggest that you and the landowner contact a NC Consulting Forester. They will have the expertise to give you an estimate of the value, etc. What's good for saw timber and what's only firewood. I have no idea about their fees, but I suspect that it'd be minimal.

<http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/tending/tending_consulting.htm>
:saw:

 

[Kyle]

that would also mitigate any liability if the landowner felt like later he or she was taken advantage of..

I had a guy that had some superb walnut and wanted me to buy them but I told him what was he asking and it was an exorbitant amount well above market. I told him his best bet would be to contact the consulting forester and get an estimate on the grade and value of the stand and put out for bid. He said he needed the money NOW and he had a lot of guys come and say they "might" want them but it wasn't cost effective to transport the logs. I said this is my price, this is my estimate of the grade. I also had a contract written up that highlighted that my recommendation was for a consulting forester to give him and estimate and that my estimate in no way could be interpreted as a professional foresters opinion.

I know it sounds weird, but I wanted to give the guy more money for the logs, but my business sense kicked in and said "you gave him every opportunity to make more money, told him what you were paying may be at or below market for the grade and he still proceeded." There was also the potential that some may have defect not seen on the outside or metal . They were nice logs nonetheless.

 

[woodnick]

The last WoodMizer I saw had the formula's on the blade guard.