Is standing Black Walnut worth anything?

So, my Dads neighbor is going to clear 7 acres by next spring. He has 20 mature Black Walnut trees- average 20"-24" diam. He is hoping that someone will want them, and give him some money for them. He seems to think they may be worth something. That is as straight forward as I can explain it.
So, are these trees worth anything? I sure as heck don't know.
Thanks in advance. JB

-BTW- the rest of the 7 acres is all Ash, it would be free for the harvesting I'm sure. Near G.I., Neb.

 

Yes they are. Need to get reputable forester to help you. Maybe your state extension has one who would deal with smallish plot like that. Do you have a way to skid the logs to a landing and/or transport them to a mill?

 

Here's a couple of links to Nebraska State Forest Service
Find a Forester | Nebraska Forest Service
Landowner Resources | Nebraska Forest Service

 

Thank you for the information, I will pass it on.
Skidding them would be a piece of cake, land is flat and very accessible. Property is right off a main road, surrounded by corn fields.
I'll let him know this weekend he should contact a forester, go from there. Thanks for the links.
JB

 

This was a fun read. Ive kinda gotten into walnut a bit, would make very nice tabletops as milled lumber.

 

Yup, I bucked some 36" long chunks that blew down over Christmas, perfect for rifle stocks. If the grain works out, I'll have a lot of stock blanks to work on. Let's hope.

 

Flat land on the Grand Island of Nebraska? Say it isn't so.

Is it anywhere near the North Platte River?


I hope your dad can get some good $$ for it. My buddy cut a few similar sized black walnut trees straight as can be, and he's having a hard time trying to find anyone to pay anything more than what they are worth in firewood. Such a shame really. It's beautiful wood.

 

Get them looked at before you cut them, if old growth and "clean" you might be able to sell as a veneer log, lots of money there.

 

Yep. Get a forester as said. If they are veneer quality, that'll be a nice check. As lumber, it will still bring decent money.

 

Save some stumps about 48" long plus the long tap root, they make beautiful muzzle loader and or rifle stock blanks. Also crotch pieces have beautiful figure for rifle or shotgun blanks.

Given the amount of wood in a rifle or shotgun stock blank, highly figured black walnut stock blanks bring about 1000% more than milled lumber. And you can sell it yourself online. They do have to be kiln dried and the ends sealed, but dat ain't nuffn!

 

How do you seal the logs in? What's used?

 

Anchorseal. According to these people

End-sealing logs

 

Like stuckinthemuck said or you can seal them with hot paraffin wax. Melt it in an old can or bucket and paint it on. Works best on smaller stuff like gun stock blanks or smaller mied pieces. Just be sure you have enough length because the waxed, or otherwise treated, ends must be cut off before it's used.

 

Well I don't know if I'll ever come across a lot of that but if I do, I'll do that. Thanks

 

When having a " Forester " come in it's not just to value the timber.
You are using them as an agent as well. It's their job to get you the best price and service.
They usually or should work on commission. So they earn a percentage of what you do.

The reason Joe schmuck can't sell wood is because of his lack of connections.
A good agent will have contacts or customers not just locally but nationwide if not world wide.

Anchor seal is good but expensive. I usually save it for my nicer stuff I mill. If I run out or don't have any I will and do use latex paint.

 

Anchor Seal ends immediately after cutting. I've done the paraffin wax thing and it was a miserable pain. Wax solidifies too fast and especially doesn't want to stick to anything wet. Agree about root balls and crotches for figured wood and gunstocks. Good R.O.I. in that.

 

Latex paint works well too, but getting harder to find, since everything seems to be going to acrylic. Acrylic may work? Don't know.

 

Nailed it. I hired a retired state forester as my guy. That dude sold my tiny 5 acres higher than anyone else in the state could have because of who he knew in the area.

 

Yup, the old fart was in a hurry for whatever reason. He has the trees sold. So, I appreciate all the info., it will come in handy in the future but this deal is done. I'll let you know the particulars next week when I get back. Thanks, JB