Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by smith1 on April 27, 2010 at 9:40

you might want to call a forester of your choice, or Crawford Forestry, 318-797-1546.

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Permalink Reply by kenya coleman ridgeway on April 27, 2010 at 10:43

great thanks...another question anyon know if they are drilling in section 24 township 14 range 15 west????

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Permalink Reply by H1 on June 27, 2010 at 13:28

Was that redwood or red oak, because redwood would be extremely unusual around here.

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Permalink Reply by North LA on June 27, 2010 at 14:42

How long ago was that Ron? I have around 80 acres I would like to get cut but I may wait until prices go up.

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Permalink Reply by Kaufman on March 5, 2011 at 8:22

Well said, Gangster. In this case government is your friend. Utilize the Louisiana State Forester. If you have acreage with timber, he will cruise it and work up a plan. Additionally, he will provide form bid invitations with addresses of buyers in the area. Do not take references from strangers. Go on Bloomberg and look at the current commodity price for lumber. It is actually running at close to what it was before the recession. Beware of the Louisiana Low Ball. You will get that thrown your way multiple times to see if you will take it. Timber and Oil "professionals" are all Cy Young winners at throwing it. Try to deal directly with the potential buyer by utilizing the bid system if you can wait.

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Permalink Reply by robert minton on March 6, 2011 at 11:38

freddie: listen to gangster,even there seems something questionable about the name!

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Permalink Reply by Bailey on March 4, 2011 at 19:38

Someone out of Shreveport-Meridian Timber is taking a look at our land soon.

Any new advice?

 

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Permalink Reply by smith1 on March 7, 2011 at 4:36

Louisiana doesn't have or require licensing and registration for foresters, so make sure the forester is a member of The Association of Consulting Foresters to avoid any conflict of interest. Their website is www.acf-foresters.org.

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Permalink Reply by Max on March 5, 2011 at 7:09

Freddie,

 

Your timber's worth depends on several factors, species, age, location, ease of access, distance from mill, and current inventories held by the mills.

Generally a price offer per ton is quoted and that price is dictated by the factors listed above.  Keep in mind also that a contractor is usually hired to harvest the stand, and that contractor has to make a profit.  The timber industry has it's up and downs and a contractor has to own and maintain equipment to stay in business and that equipment is not cheap.  A small contractor would generally have a cutter, loader, two skidders, transport trucks and trailers, and the equipment to transport the rest of the equipment to the job site. 

 

Along with the equipment, you have to have employees experienced in handling this equipment.  You put an inexperienced operator on a cutter and a hour later, a $25,000 cutting head is wrecked.  Someone not paying attention driving a skidder can run a stob through a tire that cost $4,000.  A lot of "What Ifs" for a small profit.

 

Current prices are running between $7 to $10/ton for pine pulpwood.  $10 to $15/ton for chip and saw, and saw logs vary.  Hardwood pulp is running between $5 to $7/ton.  You're biggest problem will be getting someone to harvest a small track, unless that track has some outstanding timber growing on it and can be used for special applications.

 

If this timber is large saw logs, you may be hard pressed to find a mill that can handle them.  I believe there is one left in N. Louisiana and it's privately owned.  At the present time, a great deal of 'large timber' is being shipped overseas to be processed.

 

I had a first thinning on 50 acres of pine timber that was 17 years old this past summer.  It brought in around $9,000, this being on the low side because it was hard to get to and a road had to be upgraded to get the timber out.  With fuel prices rising, I expect the tonnage rate to adjust accordingly. 

 

Good luck on what you do end up receiving for your timber, and remember, you will have to pay capital gains taxes on what you sell.  The CGT rate in the state of Louisiana does vary on your income and I would discuss this with my CPA before I harvested the timber.  You could end up with a tax liability.

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Permalink Reply by benny688 on March 5, 2011 at 15:08

I always like to sell by the ton rather than by the acre or lump sum contract to make sure I get the real value, a forrester will never make an error in your favor.

 

The posts about getting three bids are good, but over the last few years I keep ending up with International Paper, they are very good about sending all the grading and weight documents so that I can feel comfortable that I got a fair price.

 

GLTA

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Bet Crain on March 7, 2011 at 5:57

You can talk to Vince Drake, Armistead Land and Timber Co. Bossier City, La.

 

Also as to the advertising, I would not call this advertising but a need for help.  I also live out of state and it was very hard for me to find a reputable person to take care of my timber. 

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Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on March 7, 2011 at 6:07

Those who are concerned that specifics they wish to post may violate the no solicitation policy may seek Keith's permission.  He started this site to help people.  However it is also how he makes his living and if anyone can solicit on his site then I doubt his advertisers would care to pay for the privilege.  The definition of what constitutes advertising is up to Keith.

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