Hardiness Zone: 6b
Sarah from Livingston, NJ
Recently, a story appeared in the news in Rochester, MN, about a company going door-to door and offering residents money in exchange for their walnut trees. As many of you probably know, Walnut is a type of wood highly prized for its strength, versatility, and beautiful wood grain, and currently, the price of Walnut has gotten quite high.
The practice of selling off your backyard trees is legal and in most cases, the companies buying them are perfectly legitimate. The problem is that during tough economic times people sometimes become shortsighted and have a difficult time passing up a seemingly great deal.
In most cases, leaving the trees there is of much greater value to homeowners than the money offered by companies to remove them. Not only do the trees provide shade, fresh air, contribute to water quality, and provide shelter and food to neighborhood animals, but mature trees (the ones usually sought after by companies) can add up to 10% to a homeowner's property value. That equates to a dollar amount that is usually a far greater than they receive for selling them.
Make sure if you are thinking about selling one or more of trees on you're property (especially if it's an urban property) that you consider all aspects of the deal before committing to the transaction. Also be aware that legitimate companies do not usually go door-to-door making offers, and all should be happy to provide you with a copy of their license and insurance, as well as several references.
Here are some other ways to make money from the trees (and plants) on your land without necessarily selling them:
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/resources/pub-1993-USDA-FS-AgInfo-666.pdf
Ellen
Call a few lumber yards in your area, and find out if there is a company who will remove your trees and pay you for the wood.
Hi, I posted an article on freecycle. Its a yahoo group you can sign up at no cost. Post the wood and say bring a truck and friends to help you and you can have all you want.
If they are big old oak trees, I'd suggest calling a local furniture maker, cabinet maker, or lumber mill. Large old oak trees can be quarter-sawn to produce a grain called 'tiger oak', which is extremely rare and quite expensive. There are very few large old oak trees left which are large enough to be cut this way, in order to produce this wood grain. I would not under any circumstances pay someone to cut these trees. I'd sell them.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
The lumber is free just; I just want them cut down. They are on the property we just bought. How do I find someone to do this?
By Lenore S.
Unless you have a large number of trees on many acres of land, it is unlikely that anyone will want them for lumber. Lumbering is big business, and people involved in it don't come to cut down half a dozen trees.
Check for a Craigslist page for your area and place an ad for firewood or lumber. You can offer it for free if it is your desire to just get it done.
A lot of people need firewood or there may be someone in your area that can have the wood cut into usable planks. Good wishes to you. Rae
I would like to have a tree cut down for free with the exchange for the wood.
Many people want to have trees removed from their property. Often someone tells them that tree removal services will pay them to remove trees from their property. Unfortunately, they face many problems:
*Tree removal companies are not interested in paying the owner in small jobs, such as a few acres of trees, as their costs in insurance, machinery and workers are very high.
*Some companies may be interested in a larger project if the land owner pays the company, however, the land owner might then find that the company sells the trees to lumber companies. The tree company then has the tree removal payment and the lumber sale payment, as well.
*Insurance liabilities on both sides can be very high as tree removal is a dangerous job and companies must carry high insurance costs for injury to workers and property. The property owner may face injury and damage costs, and legal problems, as well. Tree removal companies are required to carry insurance and bond for their company and workers but this does not mean the property owner does not need coverage for the property and possible injuries etc.
*Depending on the area or state of the property, the owner may face permit requirements, historic, cultural and other limitations in removing trees from a property.
So, an answer to your question is not simple. You may find a tree removal service by putting an ad on Craigslist, etc., but you still face all the issues above with no guarantees.
*Frequently property owners may find they need an attorney to address the issues and prepare a contract. You should discuss your plans with an attorney familiar with land use and then make an informed decision.
A caveat here-be careful not to provide the property address or even the general location of the trees to any company or person you might find from Craigslist, etc., before signing a contract. You may find that someone has removed the trees from your property without your knowledge
I have some some trees on my land that I want to sell. I live in Lumber City. Most of the trees are oak and I have a few pine, ranging in size from small to large.
Usually it would take a large amount of trees for it to be profitable for a company to even agree to remove trees.
If you are anywhere near a lumber yard you might give them a call and see what they tell you. they may have the name/number of a small company/individual that removes trees - but most likely, you will have to pay to have them removed.
Be very careful with who you give your name and/or location to.
If you want to sell your trees, contact the nearest sawmill. They may be interested in buying them. Other ideas include craftsmen in wood or other artists, whom you may be able to find online. I'm only guessing, but if you live in Lumber City it sounds as if wood is or has been a popular product there! So let's hope you are successful.
You might be better off putting it on Freecycle or Craigslist with the stipulation that they remove. It will save you money. People also think they can sell used swing sets and then realize that they actually have to pay to get rid of them, so they go the Freecycle route.
I have about 35 very mature cedar trees. How much could I get to have them harvested?
I am a Roswell resident and have ten pines (in excess of 70 feet tall, and about a foot and a half in diameter), plus a bunch of scrub pines on my property that we want removed. I don't care to be paid for the lumber, I just want to know if there is someone who will come and cut them and take them. We recently had trees removed from our front yard - and they tree removal service had a lumber company come pick up our wood and sell it. Anyone have any thoughts?
By jennifer
Hi - Sorry but I do not know where Roswell is located but I have had experience with having trees removed in Florida.
Since you had trees removed before - have you ask the same company about these trees?
There should be a list of companies in your telephone book or Google the info with your location. maybe local companies will be listed.
Also look for names of any lumber companies or sawmills.
The problem with pines:
1. Usually is not a favorite for firewood so smaller companies do not cut them.
2. Pines may take heavier equipment and moving that kind of equipment is expensive.
3. Also, a log truck may have to be used and that is costly also.
4. Tree companies would have to weigh the cost of sending the equipment, truck and labor against how many "usable" trees are at that location AND how close they are to a house or buildings (insurance).
5. They would also need to know if their trucks could drive into your yard.
I had pines similar to what you mentioned but finally had to pay to have them removed. Maybe there are more tree companies near you.
Good luck.
I have approx. 9 acres of property in Alabama that I want to clear and sell the trees. How do I get started and who do I contact?
By Mind of Milli from Atlanta, GA
See if there is any logging/forestry companies local to you. Try checking in the yellow pages. They can usually give you the names of some that may be interested.
My mother has 21 acres in Dinwiddie County; how should she get for the trees on her property?
I'm assuming you want to sell the trees. It is a lot of labor. Most people pay to cut them down. You may want to put an ad in Freecycle or Craigslist advertising lumber in exchange for cutting it down and taking it away.
You can post an ad on Craigslist asking if anyone wants to purchase the trees for lumber. Assuming they'd have to cut + haul it themselves too there may be a discount involved?
How do I connect with someone who wants special wood for projects or furniture? I have a live pecan tree, very old, very tall, and large circumference of trunk and limbs.
I want to speak with someone about them cutting it and buying the wood from me.I own 1.56 acres of land that is full of mature trees. Who do I contact in Shreveport, Louisiana that would help me clear my land and pay me for them?
There are some logging companies in your area. I would suggest calling several /or all of them if necessary & simply asking questions like: "I have some trees on my property that I'm interested in selling. What do you require? What is the going rate for standing oak /maple /pine /etc.." Any lumber company or logging company spokesperson will be able to give you an answer & may even be willing to come look at what you have available if your situation meets their criteria.
Go to the county extension officer. He may have local cutters.
The trees would have to have value. Pulp & pine are cheaper at the box stores. Lastly, look for cutter/ loggers that cut lumber and have a wood mizer. Try Craigslist. Lot of work making a path to the lumber. 1 1/2 acres us too small for a logging operation. Good luck
I have about 3 acres of land. Do lumber companies mess with small lots like this?
I am assuming that you are not looking for tree removal, but rather asking if it is worth it to sell to someone for the lumber. It really is not worth it, because the pay is not as good as one would think, and when they cut the trees and trim the branches off, they leave all the branches behind. Also, they leave the base of the trees in the ground so that you have the stumps to deal with.
Hurricane Irma left me with a large red cedar down and a second one damaged and needing removal too. I know there is value in red cedar and would be willing to sell the lumber in exchange for removing them.
Sorry you dealt with Irma. I'd take photos of the trees and post them on Craigslist, Nextdoor and publicly on Facebook so people can make offers.
Currently, a company is harvesting lumber from 150 acres that abuts our property. We have 7 large pines and 2 cedars all with bases that measure more than 70 inches and are 3 to 4 stories high.
We would like to sell to the lumber company since they already have all their equipment and trucks here. How do I determine a fair price and get to the right person?I have 2 acres of pine trees that I need to clear off my land to move a house on. Is there a logging company that could help?
By Jennifer H.
Many people want to have trees removed from their property. Often someone tells them that tree removal services will pay them to remove trees from their property. Unfortunately, they face many problems:
*Tree removal companies are not interested in paying the owner in small jobs, such as a few acres of trees, as their costs in insurance, machinery and workers are very high.
*Some companies may be interested in a larger project if the property owner pays the company, however, the land owner might then find that the company sells the trees to lumber companies. The tree company then has the tree removal payment and the lumber sale payment, as well.
*Insurance liabilities on both sides can be very high as tree removal is a dangerous job and companies must carry high insurance costs for injury to workers and property. The property owner may face injury and damage costs, and legal problems, as well. Tree removal companies are required to carry insurance and bond for their company and workers but this does not mean the property owner does not need coverage for the property and possible injuries etc.
*Depending on the area or state of the property, the owner may face permit requirements, historic, cultural and other limitations in removing trees from a property.
*Frequently property owners may find they need an attorney to address the issues and prepare a contract.
So, an answer to your question is not simple. You may find a tree removal service by putting an ad on Craigslist, etc., but you still face all the issues above with no guarantees.
You should discuss your plans with an attorney familiar with land use and then make an informed decision.
A caveat here-be careful not to provide the property address or even the general location of the trees to any company or person you might find from Craigslist, etc., before signing a contract. You may find that someone has removed the trees from your property without your knowledge.
I have a very large cedar tree that I do not want in my backyard. I was hoping to find a company that will cut this tree down and possibly pay me for the wood?
By Bob D from Maple Valley, WA
Many people want to have trees removed from their property. Often someone tells them that tree removal services will pay them to remove trees from their property. Unfortunately, they face many problems:
*Tree removal companies are not interested paying the owner in small jobs, such as a few acres of trees, as their costs in insurance, machinery and workers are very high.
*Some companies may be interested in a larger project if the property owner pays, however, the owner might find that the company then sells the trees to lumber companies. The service then has the tree removal payment and the lumber sale payment, as well.
*Insurance liabilities on both sides can be very high as tree removal is a dangerous job and companies must carry high insurance costs for injury to workers and property. The property owner may face injury and damage costs and legal problems, as well. Tree removal companies are required to carry insurance and bond for their company and workers but this does not mean the owner does not need coverage for the property and possible injuries etc.
*Depending on the area or state of the property, the owner may face permit requirements, historic, cultural and other limitations in removing trees from a property.
*Frequently property owners may find they need an attorney to address the issues and prepare a contract.
So, an answer to your question is not simple. You may find a tree removal service by putting an ad on Craigslist but you still face all the issues above with no guarantees.
A caveat here-be careful not to provide the property address or even the general location of the trees to any company or person you might find from Craigslist, etc., before signing a contract. You may find that someone has removed the trees from your property without your knowledge
My mother died and left to my brother and I 86 acres of land near Albany, New York. We have put the sale of the acreage in the hands of a realtor. A man called my brother last week and wanted to know if he could cut down the ash trees on the property. My brother said yes and I am worried that this man is not reputable and will not pay my brother for the cutting down of the trees as he promised.
How do we handle this issue so we are assured we are not being swindled? My brother lives in New Jersey and I live in Maryland, we have no way of keeping tabs on the process of the cutting of the trees, we need some guidance on this. Thanks.
By ClaireD
I am interested in finding a company to timber trees off my property and we can receive payment for the trees.
There are so many things to consider when you are trying to cut down and sell trees.
First, the rules in your area for cutting down and selling trees. You need to check with the state or your city to see what the rules are first. Where are the trees locaked? Are they in your yard and if cut down will they be dangerous to another house in your area? Do you need a permit to cut them down? All these things need to be checked out and approved before you can even start to find a person to do this for you.
Second, many companies will not do this for free and then pay you for the wood they have cut down and hauled away.
Third, you may need to pay a company to come out and cut down the trees first. Then find another company to come and buy them from you.
Forth, the type of trees you are cutting down will determine if a company is interested in buying them for you to make lumber out of. This also includes how many trees need to be cut down and how much wood you have.
I have cedar trees on my property in Tennessee. Who would I contact about selling them for timber?
You can contact companies that use cedar trees and see if they would like to negotiate anything with you. You also have to factor in the labor for them to cut down the trees and haul. Do you have any neighbors or family/friends whom sold trees like yours also? Ask discussion on Facebook and see if you have any feedback in your local area.
I live in Bethesda, Maryland and have a large fat tree in my yard that needs to go. Who can I sell the timber to and how?
By Christine N.
I don't know about your area, but in my area, if you want a tree removed from your yard, you have to pay for the removal. Nobody who buys firewood or timber is going to pay you for that tree. They deal in large amounts of timber, not single trees. It is a bother to remove a single tree.
I live in Pulaski county Kentucky, close to Somerset. I have several big oak trees and some pine as well. It might be tricky cutting them down, but I've seen some done before. They are free for the safe cut and haul, with no clean up. I can cut the limbs or burn them. I'm a retired Army veteran. How do I find someone to cut them?
