I have an extra lot with large maple trees can i get someone to pay me for these?

Question

I have a 10000 sq ft lot with around 20 large maple trees around 150 to 200 ft each. Do people pay for these trees? heard from friend that sawmills will pay thousands for good lot of trees. Is this true? what about getting someone to clear it for me for free in exchange for firewood.?

Answer 1

First, the value of your maple depends on the type of maple that it is. Hard Maple (sugar maple) is the most valuable.
The diameter will also affect the value more than the length.
To determine what type of maple you have and its value on the current market, contact your local forestry service and/or a few local sawmills.
(always get more than one opinion)

Answer 2

You should first call the forestry commission for your state. They will be invaluable.

Maple is very expensive wood, If its clear. We have a lot of red oak, another valuable wood. The problem with what we have is, even though it's tall, its not clear.

The more limbs on the tree, the more knots in the wood. The more knots, the more relative contamination. Bars and pubs frequently use maple and oak on their countertops and floors. But they use what is called number 2 or commercial grade. This has knots and twists in it.

Someone that manufacturers furniture will use it knots and all, but the material with the knots in it must be used for underside and hidden veneers. Most maple today is veneer.

Even if you have clear wood, your best bet with the little wood that you have is holding out for that one person that will completely clear the lot of stumps and regrade the damage that most logging ventures cause. You might even be able to negotiate some seedlings, but you will probably have to plant them yourself. They can usually get seedlings for commercial growth trees free from the state. SC gives away a couple hundred thousand or so a year to paper and lumber mills.

If money is the object, I have no doubt that you can negotiate your best deal.

One other option is sharecropping the maple juice to a maple syrup manufacturer. Or maybe you might decide on a new hobby?!?

God Bless

Answer 3

You might try the classifieds in your community. Or look up "saw mills" in the yellow pages -- your library should have yellow pages for nearby "big cities."

It's true that maple is a valuable wood -- it'd be a pity to burn it all up. But, if you need the lot cleared, you need it cleared.

Answer 4

i think that the firewood exchange is a good idea, but the season has past, unless your in a very cold place.