If you are preparing for a timber sale or harvest, marking timber can be one of the most important steps of the process. It is marking timber that determines what is cut and what is retained. It is the determinant of the silviculture of the harvest and thus the determinant of the financial return of…
Eastern Cottonwood, Populus deltoides, is an iconic tree throughout much of the central United States. It is both one of the largest of the eastern hardwoods and also the fastest growing commercial species in North America. Typically, those are both incredibly desirable traits of a species from a timber investment perspective, but is it a…
Birch trees are probably the most ubiquitous tree in the world. A circumpolar species, birch trees grow all around the northern hemisphere, and its characteristic white, papery bark makes it readily identifiable, even to children. In fact, for many, it is the first tree they learn to identify. No question, birch trees have a special…
Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is one of the most valuable species of timber in north America. With a beautiful grain and stunning reddish-brown color, its wood is cherished material for high-end furniture, flooring, and other decorative surfaces. But how much are black cherry trees worth? Typically, Standing black cherry trees can fetch the owner between…
Black Walnut trees (Juglans nigra) are well-known as one of the most valuable species in North America. With a natural, dark brown heartwood, these trees are highly valued for the depth and color they can give high-end pieces of furniture and wood work. As such, a common question for timberland owners and those with a…
Maple is perhaps the most iconic species of tree in the forests of the northern United States and Canada. It’s honey-blonde wood and light grain make it extremely sought after–and valuable. But how much, exactly, are maple trees worth? While a multitude of factors influence the numbers significantly, a mature maple tree can fetch prices…
Oak is both one of the most prolific and most valuable species of tree in North America–and for good reason. Oak is a dense hardwood with great structure and a beautiful grain used for a wide variety of wood products, including furniture, cabinetry, and veneer. With such a gorgeous and versatile wood, how much are…
By far, the most important decision any timberland owner can make is whether to harvest the timber on their property. There is no other decision that will have a greater affect on the present and future of their forest and the returns (financial, recreational, or otherwise) it will provide. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer…
A timber harvest is perhaps the most exciting part of being a timberland owner. In many cases, landowners have waited years to reap the rewards of their acreage, and it may have been their entire reason for buying the property to begin with. There are many aspects of harvesting that are crucial to understand and…
In much of the deciduous forests of northeastern United States and eastern Canada, hardwood trees dominate. Oak, maple, birch, hickory, and cherry dot the forested landscape with green leaves in the summer and orange, yellow, and red foliage in the fall. Unlike softwoods, which are used mostly for structural lumber, the wood of these hardwoods…