How would you clear 5 acres of pines?

JimR · Aug 12, 2004

How big are these trees? I've pushed over some pretty big ones when I had my old 8N with a loader on it. I did have to work a bit on them. But they fell over, roots and all. As mentioned, a logger might want them if they are lumber size.

Logan · Aug 12, 2004

I'm with AMP762. I don't know anything about Texas but around here small logging outfits will come in and take out trees for the wood. I just had 35 large pine trees taken out and a few years ago about the same number, both times for free. Stumps cost $15 to grind. Pine don't re-sprout from the stump and they rot fairly quickly. You might be able to push them up or dig them out fairly easily in three or four years if that is an option.

SPIKER · Aug 12, 2004

coyote:

i would make a few calls first, to paper compainies, ones in area. if you can't find any contact the local DNR office and they can get you info, also look in the paper for timber/lumber and or paper pulp wood ads.

next is to think christmas trees., 10 yr pines usually are not too big, 6~10 feet. so contact local boyscout troups, tell them you will make a donation. they cut & sell the trees you get 25 or 50%. other would be local chapter of FFA at high school for same deal! they sell & do the work while you both make $ and you get trees gone...

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Taylortractornut · Aug 12, 2004

Loggers will take them they grind them up for pulp and boiler fuel they cen even set up an onsite portable tub grinder, They just cut my neighbors place and asll the big pines went as lumber and all the little ones were raked up somme stumps and all and tub ground into mulch fuel and pulp. You could probably make a bit of money out of it that way to.

KiotiJohn · Aug 13, 2004

I purposely didn't read the entire thread due to time constraints, but SELL SELL SELL. You can get someone to buy that timber for a good price, and you need to sell it now while the sap is up.
Unless you can wait until prices are a little better, but usually summer is best. If you want it gone, don't do it yourself, sell it and make some nice money. You'll be surprised how much you can get. Pulp wooders would probably be the best to check with. Call your local forestry service / agricultural extension office to see if they can point you to the right people. John

MMM · Aug 13, 2004

Best not to cut them if you just want to get rid of them. Ther're easier to get up left standing. You have the weight and leverage of the top to help pop the ball out. I'm trying to find a small time outfit to butt, top and load 5 acres of 20yr pines as I push them over with dozer . Seems everything is shearer/delimber work these days, though. Chainsaw is just in case of breakdown or odd limb that gets through delimber.

MarkV · Aug 13, 2004

Sounds like many of you guys have better luck selling pine than I do. For 5 acres of 10 year old pulp you couldn’t get anyone to bring in equipment around here. I’ve got about 30 lumber size pines I want rid of and can’t get anyone to even pick them up if they are cut and stacked. Guess everything depends on location and demand.

MarkV

kensfarm · Aug 13, 2004

Some areas require a permit if cleariing so many square feet of land. Sell the pine to a timber company.. take the $ and rent a big machine to finish off the stumps.

beenthere · Aug 13, 2004

Coyote
I hope you come back on and explain what a 10 year old stand of pine looks like. In my best expectation, there isn't anything there to "sell" (at best Christmas trees, but if not shaped for that over the lst 4-6 years, not even that).

I suspect 'spending' money is the way this will happen. If me, I would consider cutting, pushing into a burn pile(or chipping), and then letting the stumps rot which would add a few more years. This would be the cheapest. Might chip the tops to get 'some' saleable chips for landscaping, but they aren't going to last long on the ground, if pine.

Hope to hear from you.