Timber Blog

January 5, 2008

Illinois Hardwood Timber Market Report (Dec 2007 /Jan 2008)

Craig Tracy, Tracy Export Inc., East Dubuque, IL

Date of Report: 12/27/2007 (Sawlog Prices FOB – Veneer Prices FOB)

Black Walnut

• Sawlogs ($1.00/bd. ft.)
• Veneer ($2.00+/bd. ft.)

Black Cherry

• Sawlogs ($0.50/bd. ft.)
• Veneer ($1.00/bd. ft.)

White Oak

• Sawlogs ($0.80/bd. ft.)
• Veneer ($1.50+/bd. ft.)

Red Oak

• Sawlogs ($0.50/bd. ft.)
• Veneer ($1.00+/bd. ft.)

Hard Maple

• Sawlogs ($0.50/bd. ft.)
• Veneer ($1.50+/bd. ft.)

Thanks for the Hardwood Market Report Craig!

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Posted by Jay Hayek at 4:27 PM

January 5, 2008

Illinois Hardwood Timber Market Report (Jan. 2008)

Brian Critchelow, Critchelow Logging, Sullivan, IL

Procurement Area: East-Central Illinois and Western Indiana

Date of Report: 12/21/2007 (Sawlog Prices FOB – Veneer Prices Stumpage)

Black Walnut

• Sawlogs ($1.55/bd. ft.)
• Veneer ($4.80/bd. ft.)

Black Cherry

• Sawlogs ($0.75/bd. ft.)
• Veneer ($3.00/bd. ft.)

White Oak

• Sawlogs ($0.77/bd. ft.)
• Veneer ($2.50/bd. ft.)

Red Oak

• Sawlogs ($0.40/bd. ft.)

Black Oak

• Sawlogs ($0.40/bd. ft.)

Pin Oak

• Sawlogs ($0.25/bd. ft.)

Hard Maple

• Sawlogs ($0.55/bd. ft.)
• Veneer ($2.50/bd. ft.)

Soft Maple

• Sawlogs ($0.40/bd. ft.)

Hickory

• Sawlogs ($0.40/bd. ft.)

Ash

• Sawlogs ($0.30/bd. ft.)

Basswood

• Sawlogs ($0.30/bd. ft.)

Yellow-Poplar

• Sawlogs ($0.50/bd. ft.)

Elm/Hackberry

• Sawlogs ($0.25/bd. ft.)

Sycamore/Sweetgum

• Sawlogs ($0.25/bd. ft.)

Cottonwood

• Sawlogs ($0.20/bd. ft.)

Honeylocust

• Sawlogs ($0.25/bd. ft.)

Thanks for the Hardwood Market Report Brian!

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Posted by Jay Hayek at 3:54 PM

January 5, 2008

Illinois Hardwood Timber Market Report (Dec./Jan - 2008)

Ben Bruggeman, Bruggeman Lumber LLC, Dubuque, IA

Procurement Area: Northwest and Central Illinois

Date of Report: 12/27/2007 (Sawlog Prices Stumpage – Veneer Prices FOB)

Black Walnut

• Sawlogs ($0.60-1.20/bd. ft.)
• Veneer ($3.50-7.00/bd. ft.)

Black Cherry

• Sawlogs ($0.60-0.90/bd. ft.)
• Veneer ($2.00-3.50/bd. ft.)

White Oak

• Sawlogs ($0.30-0.40/bd. ft.)
• Veneer ($2.00-4.00/bd. ft.)

Red Oak

• Sawlogs ($0.40/bd. ft.)

Black Oak

• Sawlogs ($0.15-0.20/bd. ft.)

Pin Oak

• Sawlogs ($0.15-0.20/bd. ft.)

Hard Maple

• Sawlogs ($0.70/bd. ft.)
• Veneer ($2.00-3.00/bd. ft.)

Soft Maple

• Sawlogs ($0.25-0.30/bd. ft.)

Hickory

• Sawlogs ($0.25/bd. ft.)

Ash

• Sawlogs ($0.15/bd. ft.)

Basswood

• Sawlogs ($0.15/bd. ft.)

Elm/Hackberry

• Sawlogs ($0.15/bd. ft.)

Cottonwood

• Sawlogs ($0.07/bd. ft.)

Thanks for the Hardwood Market Report Ben!

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Posted by Jay Hayek at 3:37 PM

January 5, 2008

Illinois Hardwood Timber Market Report (Jan. 2008)

Stan Curtis, Carbondale Veneer Company, Inc.

(Carbondale, IL)

Procurement Area: Southern Illinois (south of I-64)

Date of Report: 01/05/2008 (Prices Reported as Stumpage)

Strong Market Demand:

Market demand for quality black walnut and white oak logs remains strong. Sawlog stumpage prices for black walnut and white oak range from $0.50-1.50/bd. ft. and $0.40-0.80/bd. ft., respectively. Veneer stumpage prices for black walnut and white oak range from $2.00-4.00/bd. ft. and $1.00-4.00/bd. ft., respectively. Black cherry sawlog and veneer stumpage prices, although down a bit from 2005-2006, range from $0.50-1.00/bd. ft. and $1.00-2.00/bd. ft., respectively.

Market Demand Good or Increasing:

According to Stan, demand for yellow-poplar sawlogs has increased, although mill prices have not quite caught up to demand although we will see this change in the very near future. Yellow-poplar stumpage prices are fetching $0.10-0.20/bd. ft. Demand for pin oak, especially for the construction mat market, continues to provide a viable outlet for this species ~ $0.10-0.15/bd. ft. Sycamore stumpage prices range from $0.05-0.08/bd. ft. Sweetgum logs, especially for the desirable construction mat market, range around $0.10/bd. ft. Moreover, demand for hickory and hard maple is still good with stumpage prices averaging $0.20-0.30/bd. ft. and $0.30-0.50/bd. ft., respectively. Hard maple veneer markets are still encouraging with stumpage prices hovering around $0.80-1.00/bd. ft.

Weak Market Demand:

As has been the case for several years now, demand for red oak and black oak has been suppressed. Stumpage prices for red oak and black oak sawlogs range from $0.30-0.50/bd. ft. and $0.25-0.40/bd. ft., respectively. Veneer prices for red oak range around $0.90/bd. ft. Wormy soft maple is mostly going to low-grade markets ~ $0.10/bd. ft. According to Stan, ash sawlog prices have been setback significantly due to Emerald Ash Borer quarantine regulations ~ $0.10-0.20/bd. ft.

Thanks for the Hardwood Market Report Stan!

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Posted by Jay Hayek at 3:03 PM

March 28, 2007

Illinois Hardwood Market Report - April 2007

Stan Curtis, Carbondale Veneer Company, Inc. (Carbondale, IL)

Report Given March 28, 2007

Prices Reported as "Stumpage"

What's Hot:

Black walnut and white oak continue to demand top dollar across the state and throughout the Midwest. Prices paid for black walnut stumpage range from $0.50-1.00/bd ft for sawlogs and $2.00-6.00/bd ft for veneer logs. The heavy demand for walnut stems in part from international markets for high-end architectural products, molding, and trim. Prices paid for white oak stumpage range from $0.40-0.80/bd ft for quality sawlogs and stave logs - generally, all grades of white oak are up. Prices paid for smaller diameter white oak veneer logs are bringing upwards of $1.50/bd ft; and prices paid for premium, 4-side clear veneer logs bringing upwards of $5.00/bd ft. The rotary veneer market is strong for smaller diameter, but clear, white oak logs. Interestingly, the construction mat market (canted, rough oak logs) for 18', 20', and 24'+ oak logs is bringing $0.30-0.35/bd ft for delivered logs - minimum diameter inside bark (DIB) is ~ 12-14".

Black cherry is also staying very competive in the regional marketplace. According to Stan, quality cherry sawlogs are bringing $0.30-0.80/bd ft, with quality veneer logs fetching upwards of $1.00-3.00/bd ft.

What's Good?

The hickory market is still good, with sawlogs fetching $0.20-0.40/bd ft. Veneer hickory markets are bringing upwards of $0.50-0.60/bd ft. Furthermore, sugar maple sawlogs are bringing $0.30-0.60/bd ft, and $1.00-2.00/bd ft for veneer logs (<1/4 hearts).

What's Steady?

The general pallet/blocking market is staying steady. Cottonwood, sycamore, elm, hackberry, soft maple, and sweetgum are bringing $0.05-0.10/bd ft. Some of the aforementioned species, but only a small percentage, are also being utilized in the growing construction mat market.

What's Slow?

The general red oak lumber sawlog market is still lagging behind. Red oak sawlogs are bringing $0.30-0.60/bd ft, and $0.70-0.80 for veneer butt logs > 16" DIB.

Summary

Overall, black walnut, white oak, and cherry logs are still commanding top dollar across the midwest. Furthermore, the construction mat market is producing a viable, steady demand for rough oak logs (i.e., low quality, tie or pallet logs). The general red oak species sawlog market (black oak, pin oak, etc.) is still in a slump.

Thanks Stan for your hardwood report!

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Posted by Jay Hayek at 5:41 PM

January 12, 2007

Hardwood Market Report (January 2007)

Brian Critchelow Logging Co. (Sullivan, IL, Moultrie County)

Report Given 01/12/2007

Prices are for Mill-Delivered Logs

Strong: Black walnut and white oak continue their strong showing. Delivered black walnut grade logs are bringing $1.45/bd ft, and $3.00-8.00/bd ft for veneer logs. White oak is in the neighborhood of $0.80-1.20/bd ft for grade logs and $1.50-3.50/bd ft for veneer logs. Big, clear logs are receiving the premium prices.

Steady: Black cherry market is steady to above average, mostly because good Illinois black cherry logs are rare. Black cherry is fetching around $1.00/bd ft for grade logs and up to $3.00/bd ft for veneer logs. Soft maple market is still pretty good, with wormy logs bringing $.30/bd ft, with clear or no-worm logs fetching $0.45/bd ft. Hickory is also holding its own, bringing upwards of $0.45/bd ft for saw logs. Ash is pretty much the same, bringing $0.30-.40/bd ft. Blocking market is steady - basswood, elm, hackberry, sycamore, honeylocust, and cottonwood logs bringing $0.20-.22/bd ft.

Weak: Red oak prices, including black oak, pin oak, and shingle oak, are still in decline. Delivered red oak species are only bringing $0.30-.50/bd ft.

Comments: Since Thanksgiving, the excessive wet weather has kept Brian and his crew out of the woods for the most part. This seems to be the general trend across much of Illinois. Log inventories are running low at some sawmills as a direct result of the wet weather. Brian did not have any price figures on hard maple. However, he did hear that hard maple prices have been on the decline.

Thanks for the Report Brian!

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Posted by Jay Hayek at 4:34 PM

October 5, 2006

October 2006 - Hardwood Market Report

Ben Bruggeman (Bruggeman Logging LLC, Dubuque, IA)

• Log Prices are for Mill-Delivered Logs (F.O.B)
• September 29, 2006

What's Strong?

Black Walnut

• (Veneer Logs) – F.O.B. $2500-12,000/MBF
• (Grade Logs) – F.O.B. $1000-3000/MBF
• driving forces include strong Chinese market for flooring and domestic markets for furniture and flooring

White Oak

• (Veneer Logs): F.O.B. $1500-3000/MBF
• (Grade Logs): F.O.B. $400-700/MBF
• driving forces include flooring and roustic furniture markets

Hard Maple

• (Veneer Logs): F.O.B. $2000-4000/MBF
• (Grade Logs): F.O.B. $600-1200/MBF

Soft Maple

• (Grade Logs): F.O.B. $300-600/MBF

Black Cherry

• (Veneer Logs): F.O.B. $2000-4000/MBF
• (Grade Logs): F.O.B. $700-1300/MBF

Hickory spp.

• (Grade Logs): F.O.B. $300-400/MBF
• strong demand for hickory flooring

Red Oak spp.

• (Flooring Grade Logs): F.O.B. $300-400

What's Steady?

Elm

• (Grade): F.O.B. $120-350/MBF
• Buying largeer American Elm logs (DIB >26")
• Buying smaller Red Elm logs (DIB >14")

Blocking Logs

• Cottonwood: F.O.B. $230-240
• Hackberry: F.O.B. $230-240
• Honeylocust: F.O.B. $230-240

Pallet Logs

• White Oak: F.O.B. $230-240
• Hickory: F.O.B. $230-240
• Soft Maple: F.O.B. $230-240

What's Slow?

Red Oak

• (upper Grades Logs) - F.O.B. $500-600

Winter Marketing Notes (November-April)

• Basswood F.O.B. $400-600
• Hard Maple (limb logs) for baseball bats in Japan

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Posted by Jay Hayek at 4:26 PM

August 15, 2006

Hardwood Market Report

Mark R. Strait (Marshall, IL, Clark County)

Report Given 8/15/06:

Strong: white oak and black walnut markets are strong; especially the veneer markets. Mill-delivered quality white oak sawlogs and veneer logs are fetching $1.20-1.40/bd.ft. and $2.00-3.00/bd.ft., respectively. Hard maple veneer quality logs and Hickory lumber and rotary markets are also strong.

Steady: blocking market is good to strong with delivered logs fetching $0.20-0.23/bd.ft. Hickory sawlog market has been fairly descent with some delivered logs fetching $0.45-0.50/bd.ft. Clean, non-wormy soft maple markets are steady, with clean delivered logs fetching $0.30-0.50/bd.ft.

Weak: red oak species have seen a severe decline in stumpage and FOB (mill-delivered) prices. Ash market is not very good.

Follow-up Comments: Hold off on timber sales heavy to red oak species and ash - markets are some of the lowest observed in the last 15 years for these species according to Mark. Mark encourages forest landowners to seek government conservation programs to address landowner and resource needs in the future, especially concerning the potential impact of Woodland Tax Assessment issues. Mark further wishes to remind forest landowners to start early in the process of seeking forest management advice due to the increasing demand of professional forestry assistance.

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Posted by Jay Hayek at 3:43 PM

July 25, 2006

Welcome

Welcome to Extension Forestry's Timber Blog. The purpose of this Blog is to keep forest landowners, farm managers, resource professionals, foresters, loggers, timber buyers, sawmill owners, and interested citizens abreast of current timber prices and demand for hardwood (sawlogs, poles, ties, veneer, staves, etc.), pine, and pulpwood; firewood pricing; harvesting conditions; forest industry news; governmental affairs; market trends; niche markets; and other applicable forest utilization topics. Since this is an information-oriented forum, no advertisements will be posted.

To give you an example of a posting: Say you are a timber buyer, consulting forester, or sawmill operator in the west-northwest part of the state who is witnessing a big demand for quality basswood sawlogs, let me know and I will post the information. Conversely, if the white oak market is lagging due to an oversupply of sawlogs and reduced demand overseas, let me know and I will post the information.

I look forward to providing a medium in which forest utilization topics can be transferred throughout the state in a fast, engaging, and expedient manner.

Jay C. Hayek, Extension Forester

Posted by Jay Hayek at 3:45 PM