Timber to clear

   / Timber to clear #21  
I logged my home site of mature southern yellow pine over 70 years old with a chain saw and skidded out the logs with a 1952 Case VAC about 2 acres. Only real cost was my personal time. You can do it cheap it you have the time and desire. Many of the stumps are still in the ground but its been nearly 6 years and most of the stumps are rotten and ready to be pushed out and broken up with my compact TC35.
 
   / Timber to clear #22  
Lots of great advice already.

If you have any trees that are exceptional, such as a veneer log, burled or birds-eye, etc., a forester should be able to tell you that. On bird's-eye, I don't think you really know until the sawing begins. Those logs are worth real money if you can find a buyer and or transport. Concentrating on a few high-value trees will return a good percentage of the total possible without getting involved in a lot of volume.

If you determine you have such trees, run an add in your local bargain shopper. You may get an area woodworker who will pay for the tree, cut it down and haul it. There are folks who keep a running inventory of furniture grade wood curing in their barns.

In that same vein, you may be able to negotiate some custom cabinetry made from your own logs in exchange for good logs.

We have firewood cutters around here that would work a small woodlot if the species are what they can sell. They haul out logs and take them to their own firewood processing yards, or sell it by the truckload (about 20 cords I think) to people who want to cut and split their own wood and save some money.

They don't do stumps or slash cleanup :)

If your lot has mature hardwood trees and you are clearing a driveway and home site, it's possible a firewood dealer would be interested.

As CaryKong said, you can do it yourself, it will take some time and tools. You didn't say if you have, or would like to have, wood cutting experience? If you cut hardwood and leave it stacked in logs, it will last 4-5 years with no problem if you want to stock up on your own future firewood.

I think it's a good idea to remove any stumps within 50' of your house so they don't harbor carpenter ants. Could be true for termites too, not sure. The other stumps will wait for you :)

If you decide to make just a house site clearing, it is common to have blow downs on the edges of the opening. Those trees developed in a sheltered location and don't take wind very well once exposed. So, keep the opening large enough that blow downs can't hit your buildings. You will want to get air movement and sunshine on and around your house anyways.
Dave.
 
   / Timber to clear #23  
I'd find a good excavator and get him to push them over and pile them up he might even know some one that wants the wood they usually have good networks with other contractors.

People with a portable mill might be interested in wood.

But pushing them over will remove the most roots then back fill.
If you grind them they will keep rotting and sinking till all the roots are gone.

tom
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

ATLAS 84" BOX BLADE (A51243)
ATLAS 84" BOX...
2016 Chevrolet Sonic LS Hatchback (A53424)
2016 Chevrolet...
John Deere 2640 2WD Tractor with 146 Front Loader (A55218)
John Deere 2640...
1264 (A50490)
1264 (A50490)
2022 Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf 26BRB Patriotic Edition 32ft. T/A Travel Trailer (A51694)
2022 Forest River...
2018 CATERPILLAR 815K LANDFILL COMPACTOR (A52705)
2018 CATERPILLAR...
 
Top