How Much Is a Tree Worth?

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One of the most common questions in forestry is how much standing timber is worth, so here is how you can estimate the value of individual standing trees. While it requires a lot of assumptions and a bit of educated judgement, it isn't a difficult to estimate.

0:00 -Intro
0:31 - The Data You Need
1:00 - Estimating Volume
3:35 - Using a Biltmore Stick
6:53 - Merchandizing Stems
11:38 - Measuring the Tree
14:17 - Stumpage and Timber Values
17:49 - Results

Resources:

Board Foot Volume Table and instructions:

Stumpages Price Resources by State:

Measuring Diameter:

What Affects Stumpage Value?:

[scottcampbell]

As a former teacher I tend to watch videos on a variety of subjects and subscribe only when the presenter is clear, articulate, engaging, knowledgeable, has a pleasant voice and uses a vocabulary which is above a 5th grade level. You struck bullseyes on all those characteristics. You are an excellent teacher. There is quite a bit of information for a layman to absorb in this video. While I could certainly stop it at any time and come back later (which I will) my only suggestion would be to either subdivide within this one presentation (parts 1, 2, 3 for instance) or offer the viewer (perhaps 3) different videos to form a whole on the topic. Having offered my humble suggestion I nevertheless thoroughly enjoyed this video.Bravo!!

[brianmanes]

I'm currently looking at harvesting 40 acres of my timber full of oaks and walnuts. But don't know much about timber buyer practices, so I'm trying to learn as much as possible and this video helps

[paullockyer]

Ex-Forester here - good content! We typically used a biltmore for the smaller diameter trees but a D-Tape for larger as it's more accurate.

[YouTuber-mcel]

I own and live on 10 acres that is packed with beautiful mature hardwoods. I have just converted to burning wood for heat with the economy as it is and have been asking myself this very question. You have really shined a light on it for me. Thanks and good luck with the channel.

[frankszlachetka]

Retired from logging 30 years ago from NY in the Catskill Mountains. 1 man operation. Paid 40% for veneer and 33 1/3 for the rest. These prices were from the sawmill that I sold to AFTER Trucking charges were taking out which was $50 per thousand board feet. Have not followed prices of course but Red Oak Veneer was $1200 a board foot. In comparison pine and hemlock was only 15 cents a board foot. If a homeowner was concerned with the payment or what the property is going to look like, I had the landowner meet with other homeowners to talk and walk my previous jobs. If you do not like what you hear or what you seen then I am not for you. I also on my contract set up the lot in sections. Say 20 acres divided into 4 5acre sections. I was not allowed to go to the next section until the homeowner and I walked the just logged section to make sure he had no concerns on how his land looks and did he get paid correctly. Had lots lined up for years and years doing it this way but age does have a way of catching up to you. Just remember the only thing worse than a crooked logger is a crooked forester. Happy to answer any landowners questions or concerns.

[samgilmore]

Really useful information, you're a natural teacher. Thanks for making the video.

[TheHypnotstCollector]

I live in an old Juglans Hindsii orcahrd. Northern Calif Black Walnut, the only real "Claro" walnut. cut 4 trees in 2018-19 and let them cure, bought a mill last year I also pulled the stumps. The root system on Hindsii is monsterous. I just milled two small root/stumps. amazing colors. Cut one tree in late November and sealed it with paint and wax and will mill it 'Soon". Today I am researching Value of my walnut.. Have maybe 2000bdft so far. Each tree has its own special colors, they are amazing, oranges, yellows, reds, greens,

[dalanbronnenberg]

Good explanation of tree estimating. It sure seems owners are suffering a very modest return on timber stumpage prices. Id turn that red oak into firewood before i let anyone have it for $150. Your subtle point is that everyone who touches your tree gets a slice and significantly reduces your income.

[WilliamLee-bvtv]

Another great video, I love how you are able to break your explanation down in depth but still explain it in a way that is understandable to the layman

[adventureDad]

Great video my man. This gives a great discussion on lumber pricing

[.k.g.f.]

Interestingly enough I got the stick before learning what one was or how yo use it. 5 dollars at a yardsell and it's an antique from 1890s. Has some lettering still but can't tell where it's from but the numbers are still good!

[drummerclown]

I have to say I found this video very useful. You answered just about every question I had about pricing out lumber. Not to mention how surprised I was when you said you were in Maine and then Androscoggin county...I grew up in the Lewiston / Auburn area. Keep these videos coming, you're doing a great job.

[danielheisig]

Acorn production is also another way to estimate the vale of a tree like the red oak. Many species of trees have many different ways to provide economic value to humans.

I am not trying to downplay the value of timber. I own a tree farm that values trees for timber and others sources of revenue. I own a sawmill myself and I do use my trees for timber value as well.

Good video and thanks for supporting trees!

[desertedenblooms]

This is fantastic information and well delivered! your going to be a big hit among farmers and sustainability regenerative farmers . I reposted this video to my Gab gardening group ( gab is not what you have been told it is, so dont be shocked, lol we just love our country and the constitution ) ....and well do all I an to share with you. You should try to network with channels that have anything to do with selling raw land with trees, to get subs but also to inform people, like myself, who are looking for land what to do with their trees, which one to leave up, how to sell their timber. At the cost of homes in Florida, I am looking to buy land and seeing what I can do ..would be very helpful. Thank you and Be Blessed!

[deddie]

Brings back, old memories of walk in the stand of writing on the piece of paper 300 500 Is coming up with maybe 50, 00 70, 000 -150, 000 Then I would buy it for round $15 per 1000 board And I would sell Is the logs to the mill between a $130 TO $150 per 1000 board It was always real fun. Walking and estimating a standard trees, especially as I got more and more You get good with a pencil paper and a wildazz times...

[mrpesky]

Retired forester here (western Oregon). Great video, nice concise explanation!
Nit pick: that's a "Tree & Log Scale stick", not a "Biltmore stick".
Suggested graphic for the part where log values are explained:

Stumpage Value = Pond Value - Logging Costs

[larryhearell]

most timber cutters work on a percentage pay back to the timber owner. Most states Forestry Departments will cruise your timber and give you a recemdation on harvest processes.

[dogood]

Thank you for creating this very helpful. I learned a LOT, which is going to help me tremendously deciding how too best manage some property I recently purchased. Thanks again.

[carle]

For a layman like myself this video is super interesting and great to know. Thank you.

[triple]

Nice video. A Basis is the best possible action for a landowner to estimate stand value. Helpful when marketing and at tax time.