Approach by logging company

[2458n]

I experience the same phone calls monthly. You have alot of fat ones that need to come down. How would they know if not by going through the woods? Over 120 acres in 2 locations . All posted. ?

 

[Jstpssng]

I experience the same phone calls monthly. You have alot of fat ones that need to come down. How would they know if not by going through the woods? Over 120 acres in 2 locations . All posted. ?

Word of mouth, Aerial and Sat photos, observations from the road and visits to your town office are all tools of a wood buyer... Plus speculation because-as the OP found out- they don't know for sure what you have until they're able to walk it.

To the OP; suggestions about a visit from your state forester are still the best advice you can glean from the last 7 pages. Plus depending on your abilities, time, and equipment, your woodlot could provide you with some retirement recreation and income if you cut some of it yourself.

 

[TractorGuy]

I'll bring this old thread back up. Recently had 5 acres clear cut. Forester gave us an estimated value of $6500. They told me going into it they would make small piles that one man could burn. Shook hands and told them to have at it. Workers said they got a lot more wood off it than expected. Final pay off was a tad over $5000. Ended up with 3 humongous piles. Estimate to dig out the stumps and make the land usable was 10 grand. I think we can do it ourselves over time but it will take years.

 

[Rock knocker]

I'll bring this old thread back up. Recently had 5 acres clear cut. Forester gave us an estimated value of $6500. They told me going into it they would make small piles that one man could burn. Shook hands and told them to have at it. Workers said they got a lot more wood off it than expected. Final pay off was a tad over $5000. Ended up with 3 humongous piles. Estimate to dig out the stumps and make the land usable was 10 grand. I think we can do it ourselves over time but it will take years.

That's why you get it in writing, and preferably get a large bond in escrow independent of the stumpage in order to ensure the land is returned as per contract. For instance, if the estimated stumpage is $5K, get about $12K in escrow. When the job is completed, and any remediation is done as per contract, then the escrow minus your net stumpage would be returned.

The rub comes that many small gypo type operations can't afford that degree of professionalism, but then it comes down to wether you need the money and/or the headache.

 

[Oaktree]

Ended up with 3 humongous piles. Estimate to dig out the stumps and make the land usable was 10 grand. I think we can do it ourselves over time but it will take years.

I don't know how that works in Fla., but many states require loggers keep slash piles to a reasonable size. Not 100% sure, but I was once told that here in N.H. it's 3' high max.
If it were me, I'd look into it...make them clean up if they violated the law.

 

[dmccarty]

I don't know how that works in Fla., but many states require loggers keep slash piles to a reasonable size. Not 100% sure, but I was once told that here in N.H. it's 3' high max.
If it were me, I'd look into it...make them clean up if they violated the law.

NC has a Best Management Practices book which governs what the logger should and should not do. It is easy to state in the timber contract that the logger will follow the BMP. I would guess/hope that most/many other states have something similar. Likely too late for the latest poster but anyone selling timber really needs to do their research. The county extension office is a good place to start. Tis an easy business to be taken advantage off which happens often it seems.

Later,
Dan