Score or not a score, that is todays question

So I found a guy near my home that a little over 20 cords of logs and tops left over from a logging effort. Based on pictures the logger did well an left the nonsaleable timber in nice organized piles, and I can get my truck right to them. Shocking right. So he is trying to determine a price, and threw out a number of $1000, subject to negotiation. There is one guy ahead of me, so if he does not commit, I am up. Thoughts on this? I generally get a lot for free, but not this easy access stuff 5 minutes from home, or this much. Thoughts please.

 

1K..... I know it''s different everywhere.... 20 cords is a big score though and being so close sure cuts down on transportation cost. Locally you can get a $20 permit for 4 cord on national forest land. Its for dead and down only but its an honor system.... 4 cords or 40 they never check on ya.

 

Good points, trust me this is not a simple yes or no. I figured I would toss this out there for the group for some reason and insight

 

Do you have time to cut all that wood? If I were to buy 20 cords of logs, I doubt I'd be able to get it cut and moved in a year. My free scrounges take up all the cutting time I have available, so buying a big pile of extra wood wouldn't really help me out as much as you'd think it would.

 

How much of it is species you'd normally take if it were free?

 

Wood Duck makes a good point, and so does Jon.
If you pay for it, how long will your wood sit there before you can get it outta there?
20 cords is a lot of work.
What kind of wood is it?

 

Also depends on how much you use and can store. but for me cord of logs at 50 bucks is a great deal. Do you have room? How much do you normally scrounge for free? I got a 4 acre processing area out back.. So if I was in your situation. I would have his log truck deliver it to my processing area for 100 dollars more. then cut and split at home..

 

I will try to answer all of the questions above. I actually have acres of healthy trees, many of which are hickory. I burn a lot of wood each year though, somewhere between 10 and 15 cords depending on the winter and if I throw some my parents way. I can store it all as I can get pallets free all day. I have a one ton truck with a 20f trailer, also have a tractor with a log grapple. I do like the idea of having the log truck move it though. I am working on a spot outback of my house to process logs such that the splits drop onto a ramp of sorts, that will feed right to my splitter. Hold the logs in the grapple over or near the ramp for processing etc. While it is a lot of work, I am equipped to manage it. i still love the totally free stuff though since I generally score a lot of 1-2 cord freebies. They all seem to have a little catch, while this stuff is very close to home and also will be easy to manage.

 

If you got the land and burn that much I would do it! at most a 2 year supply.. Log truck for 5 minute drive 15 minutes to load and unload worth 150 in reduced wear and tear on you and equipment! Go for it

 

Yep, if you can get him to drop all that at your place, pay some money for it, and work it up at your leisure.

 

Tractors, log grapples, trucks & trailers.... I'd offer less than the $1k but if you can get the equipment over there and then process at home I'd go for it.

 

All hickory and Black Walnut

 

If this is one season's worth of wood, in species you prefer, go for it. I did $500 for at least 8 cords worth delivered. But much of it was goofy ugly stuff to cut and split, with some less useful stuff (poplar) mixed in.

Where is your labor most intensive - if it's splitting and stacking, perhaps you might sell some rounds.

 

Getting it to your place is the part you would be wanting to find out how much $ it will cost you. Then it'll be easy to decide.

 

Welcome, Don!

The forestry does check on your permit status up here. Whether or not you have one, where you got the wood from, (standing, etc), how much wood you have, whether or not you are filling out your permit. My buddy was collecting this past summer and as he came out of the trail with a load, the guy asked and approved of all he found. Then he said, well, lets go take a look at where it's coming from. OK, all is fine here too. Buddy asked him to carry some wood out as long as he made the effort to come in and check, he laughed it off and said No thank you. Was a very nice individual and non-confrontational.

 

Go 1/2's with the first guy in line.

 

I agree wholeheartedly!

 

Yeah, the walnut isn't so great. The hickory, yes you know that's good.

Let us know how this pans out.