I have been kicking around the idea of logging a few nice walnuts off my small pc of property. All the trees would be few easy to access. I have use of a skid loader. Does anyone know if I can self log a few of the trees and sell to a logger. Seems to me like I would get more money if I took them down and delivered them myself. Anyone ever done this? I have 5-8 trees in mind. 16-24" dia, 25-30' trunks Nothing against loggers. Just seems they always make a mess of things and I would think there would be more money in cutting them out. I looking for ways to help pay for land improvements and food plots.
I'd contact whoever you're selling them to first. The price you get could depend on how they are cut. I wouldn't want to find out after I cut trees down that I made them less valuable.
Yup - make sure you have a buyer. And yes you cut the logs to predetermined lengths but there is a standard. An 8 foot 'Bolt' would be cut to 100 inches(and I would cut it a couple inches longer first and trim it to length when you can be positive of a good straight cut if you are not an experienced 'bucker'). A 10' footer would be cut to 124 inches...etc etc. Usually they are set up at the sawmill for 8-10-12-14 foot....then you have the 16 foot 'Log'. Top end diameter minimums must be kept in mind(standard is 11 inches but for 'veneer' grade bolts some will go to 9 or 10 inch - depends on your buyer). There are other things to consider as 'defects', which include: butt swell, sweep, knots(limbs), rot/holes/scars/bad heart/seams, and ring shake. Most 'defect' is actually pretty obvious and there is no point in leaving 2-3 feet of a seam to get a 12 footer - you'd likely get more money for a 'clear' 8 footer out of the same section. If there is a lot of 'sweep' you are better to cut two 8 footers instead of one 16 footer(generally). The longer the log you can get the more money it is worth since straight clear boards of longer lengths are harder to come by(a 10 or 12 footer is worth quite a bit more than an 8 foot bolt), but leaving a 'defect' in a longer log that drops it a 'grade' will negate the added value of length(and they are more of a pain to transport/handle). Good luck and Have fun!...but be safe(cut yourself a clear area to land the tree...you don't want hang-ups or spring-poles, and make sure you have couple good escape paths in case the tree does something funny).
