ALL YEAR

HARDWOOD TIMBER PRICES

In a recent issue of the National Woodland Owners Association newsletter, reference was made concerning hardwood timber prices in the south. The report mentions that quarterly stumpage prices for hardwood saw timber has reached all-time highs due primarily to high demand and influenced also to wet weather.

This price report is not reporting Kentucky timber. Kentucky does not have a reporting system, but we can assume that the increase in prices reported in hardwood stumpage mentioned in this newsletter does reflect the trends in Kentucky.

Many times actual reported saw timber prices can be misleading. Timber prices are not like those of tobacco and corn and other "regulated" markets. Timber should go to the highest bidder. Any stand of timber can be viewed by any two buyers and have two completely different values. The highest value going to the buyer having the "competitive edge".

How do you determine the highest possible value for a stand of timber? By having a professional forester involved to seek out those highest number of potential buyers. The average landowner, in most cases, does not have the basic understanding of the characteristics that determine the potential value of hardwood timber. These characteristics include, but not limited to, quality, quantity, species, distance to mill, topography, and, loggers abilities. All of these have to be factored into the final bidding price.

Many referrals from timber owners are being made through county extension offices concerning timber harvesting BEFORE the sale. Due to these referrals and the involvement of a forester in the negotiations, we are finding, in most cases, that the woodland owner is receiving many more dollars for the timber harvested due to the involvement of the professional forester.

Information is the landowners best defense in determining the true value of a stand of timber. Much of this information can be accomplished through the efforts of the Cooperative Extension offices and referrals. Up to date information concerning the state wide initiatives of timber management in Kentucky can best be found through the efforts of the Kentucky Woodland Owners Association.