PIne Trees

[Lab]

How long do they Live? These were planted over 40 years ago. They are extremely large. I was wondering if they should be harvested before it is too late. Any knowledge or information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Catdaddy]

If they get over 36 inches, a lot of mills won't accept them.....so I've been told.
They will get too big for the mill before they will die



This picture was 2 years ago and I still haven't cut them.

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[smitch320]

Depends. Where you located? Lot of sawmill's have maximum butt size. Just depends really...

[Slaya]

If they get over 36 inches, a lot of mills won't accept them.....so I've been told.
They will get too big for the mill before they will die



This picture was 2 years ago and I still haven't cut them.

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Wonder what some quartersawn flooring would look lot out of those? Wouldn't take many trees to floor a house. I'm certain it would be prettier than anything you could buy off a shelf. I

[Palmetto Bug]

If they're tall and straight, they may be attractive to the utility pole segment of the forestry industry.

[Catdaddy]

If they're tall and straight, they may be attractive to the utility pole segment of the forestry industry.

They can cut the bottom 20 ft off and still make pole timber from the rest.

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[scduckcmdr]

I see you’re located in the upstate. GP and Chester have a max butt size of 28” in diameter. For 40+ yr old wood Chester tends to pay much better if you’re in range. There are outlets for the oversized butt cuts going to associated or Clendenin. Clendenin is full right now but associated is still buying pine.

[Catdaddy]

I see you’re located in the upstate.

I'm in the Pee Dee



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[scduckcmdr]

I'm in the Pee Dee



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I meant to respond to the op’s post. I’m not familiar with markets down there but there should be an export market around or able to haul the oversized butt cuts to Cameron.

[scduckcmdr]

I'm in the Pee Dee



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I meant to respond to the Op’s post. I’m not as familiar with the oversized markets down there. Used to have some export outlets or potentially haul your butt cuts to Cameron.

[scquackaddict]

Long story short is if they are 40 + it’s time (really past time) to harvest. Doesn’t have to be today but sooner rather than later. You will size yourself out of a lot of markets. Additionally when trees get that old growth rate slows. You’re better off from a financial return standpoint to cut and get new trees in the ground and start growing the next rotation.

[scquackaddict]

I’ll follow that up by saying if it’s a substantial amount of timber I would consult a registered forester and let them help you. You will have to pay them, usually 10%, but the knowledge they have of loggers, spot markets, etc can easily make up the difference. Also you have someone overseeing the logging to make sure it’s done appropriately.

[Lab]

Any idea on who to call for the Anderson County Area? Its under 10 acres too.

[smitch320]

That’ll be tough. But not impossible. Smaller acreage is hard to attract a wood dealer/logger for a lot of reasons. Generally related to the cost of moving equipment, lost production, etc. A consulting forester would be beneficial to find that niche crew that could be interested, but with not much margin for profit from a small sale, it will be tough as well, I would think.

An idea could be to see if any neighbors or someone relatively close by might have some timber for sale, or being harvested. I will see if I still have a number for a guy up that way, but I cannot for the life of me remember his name. (Sorry if you're on here)


I edited to add more to my response than just "that'll be tough"

Good luck!

[lowbudget]

Wonder what some quartersawn flooring would look lot out of those? Wouldn't take many trees to floor a house. I'm certain it would be prettier than anything you could buy off a shelf. I

Looks like this, I had my floors cut out of 40-50 year old pines. Some virgin growth, some second growth. The difference in ring size between the first crop that grew without competition and were 36"+ and the ones that came up under the canopy and were 12"-24" was astounding.

PXL_20241006_025942834.jpg
PXL_20241014_004605656.jpg

[scquackaddict]

Beautiful floors. What Smitch said. 10 acres is gonna be tough. Probably not enough for a consulting forester to mess with. Best bet is to try to piggy back on a neighbor getting something cut close by. Gonna be hard to convince a logger to move equipment to cut 10 acres.

[banded_mallard]

Yall want to get someone to cut 10 acres and I can’t get someone to come cut 850 acres. This is a sad forestry market we live in and I would have to seriously consider finding a different investment than pine trees. This market is bad and the future doesn’t look any better.

[Calibogue]

Where and what (850 acres) are you trying and can't get someone to cut?

[Fireman]

We tried to get 200 Acres cut on James Island. Offered to give the wood away just to get it cut, we didn't even want the money. Still couldn't get anyone to come cut due to the traffic and having to haul out of JI.

[smitch320]

We tried to get 200 Acres cut on James Island. Offered to give the wood away just to get it cut, we didn't even want the money. Still couldn't get anyone to come cut due to the traffic and having to haul out of JI.

And nowhere close to haul it anymore. Traffic and log trucks don't mix well. I have cut some around Bluffton on some places and it's like pulling teeth to get a logger to cut it.