Is standing Black Walnut worth anything?

Depends on the quality and the area you're in, but logs are not the same (very different) as rough cut Lumber

Hearne Hardwoods with over 140 species of domestic and exotic hardwoods in stock, is one of the largest specialty lumber yards in the world. We are a retailer of exotic wood up to 84” inches wide, figured wood, hardwood flooring and millwork services.

 

I suppose you could say that wood, or any commodity for that matter, is worth its weight in diesel. For wood, the closer it is to the mill, the more it is worth. As the distance to truck the wood to market increases so does the cost and the value of the commodity decreases. The logger, the trucker and the mill operator are all going to have to be able to make money. If they perceive that they won't make money, the they won't want the wood, even if it is free. I would imagine it would be easier to sell walnut boards than walnut logs. Being able to process a log oneself increases the opportunities to make a buck.

 

Had a guy stop by about a month ago to ask if my road runner was for sale. My neighbor knows him and didn't know if I would sell anything (I won't...I'm just as much a car hoarder as a firewood hoarder). We talked awhile and he mentioned he logged and mentioned walnut was high right now. He asked if I was interested in selling any of them off for a 60 (him) 40 (me) split. I declined...other guys do it for 50/50 and I thought it was a bs deal...plus I like the trees.

 

Rick Hearne is an interesting cat. I met him about 12 yr ago shopping for some live edged cherry. He definitely figured out how to sell specialty niche exotic products for maximum price. A very wise strategy for smaller operators. Thankfully, since I moved out to the woods, I've been able to procure all of my furniture grade lumber from my own trees.