I do a lot of tree “removals” in orchards that have been bulldozed. First time was Knouse Foods (may have heard of them). I paid $1 for a permit, which was essentially a waiver. Ever since, it’s been privately owned, usually a guy I know who’s family owns the farm. I’ve expressed multiple times, I cut at my own risk. He’s even let me bring my bil to cut. Small town advantages I guess, we all either know each other, or know someone who can vouch. I’d say 60/40 would be spot on.
I am not sure exactly what the scope of the work is (firewood or firewood in trade for commercial wood), but generally I have always cut where I gave 1/3 to the landowner for pulp, $20 over hardwood pulp prices a cord for firewood, and 50% for logs since it has taken longer for those trees to grow. All these prices have been based on prices after trucking.
Thanks for all the input...got me thinking a lot. First, the guy is not my neighbor, that would be a totally different story, since I know them a lot better and I take care of them...they love that I have a 4wd tractor with a 6 ft snow blower, just not happy about my hours sometimes...lol. The guy would be using it for himself...I liked that. He called me today when I was at work (I don't take my phone into work and got the message when I got to my car) He said to call him 'as soon' as I could, sounded a bit demanding, I had some things to do and called him a couple of hours later...during that chunk of time he called me twice and hung up since I didn't answer...I will say I was annoyed and felt he was bugging me. Finally called him back and he wanted to know when he could come out and made a comment 'about time you got back to me'...I already knew that this was a no go with him at this point. I reminded him that I had a busy week and that I said I would call him this coming weekend, he told me he couldn't wait that long to hear from me and wanted to cut this weekend. I was amazed at how this guy changed from what seemed to be a 'decent guy' to a 'demanding idiot'...I clearly told him that I decided not to do this with him...I was clear and 'nice' when I told him that...He told me that I wasn't being fair...I was thinking what the He## is this guy on crack?, I never made any promises. He started to go on about what he needs and how I let him down...again I am thinking what the He##! All I said was I would think about it and get back to him next weekend, I was trying to figure out what was fair and a mutual win/win situation. I told the guy "that my original answer was no and that will not change, we are done." I am just glad I saw him in all his glory before I got into anything with him. So, you just never know about people.
Glad to hear you got wind of his true nature before becoming intertwined. Regarding “fair”, loggers in this area have been paying about $7-$9 per cord for firewood stumpage. Firewood has gone up a little in value with the colder winter, but I don’t think the stumpage price moves much. Stumpage means the value to them as a standing tree.
Flamestead is right on target with stump prices. Fair is hard to determine unless you agree on the other parts. Who cleans up brush? How is woods left? Stumps? trails which trees? Etc. Etc. The more work performed by the cutter, the better split for them.
Bo bocefus78, the guy didn't spend his money to buy the land or pay taxes. I wouldn't let someone I don't know cut on my property for any kind of shares of stove wood
I understand that some of the members here have had good luck with cutters on there land. I've had a few friends that I let cut wood on my property. I cut with them, all brush has to be piled. Roads and trails have to be cleared. I also skid tree length out to a landing and let them cut and leave the tops and limbs so I can move with the tractor. I did have a neighbor cut down at my woodlot, I showed him what tree's to cut. I found a few extra stumps that I didn't want cut, that was the last time I let him cut. I'm pretty particular how I do things in my woods, so the thought of turning someone loose without me being present on my property to cut wood is highly unlikely.
Wow. This reminds me of some of the crap we've had to put up with at the township level lately. There is no way I'd agree to let that guy on my land.
I learned a valuable lesson from this story, thanks for sharing. Sounds like "spending a little time thinking about it", before telling someone yea or nay, sort-of like a mini interview, gives 'em a chance to show you who they are. Sorry you had to go through that, I'm sure it wasn't pleasant.
I am glad you did not get burned too. I have had some good loggers, and some bad loggers. Most get booted off my land sooner or later, but being a logger myself, I know their antics and tricks. I actually make a pretty good logger for other landowners because unlike some, I feel for the landowner because they get shafted the most. Sure they may not do any of the work, but I know what it is like to pay property taxes. I always figured the ones that lose the most are the ones who have the most amount of time invested in the wood. For the landowner it is in terms of years. For the logger it is in terms of days. But for the truck driver it is in terms of a few hours.
I scrounge on other people's property all the time. I've given the waiver once, the rest I assure them that I will wear chaps, helmet, gloves, boots, and that I won't take risks, and that's been enough . Of course telling them I'm a pastor and the wood is for the church seems to help as well. That guy sounds like a real problem , glad you caught it in time .
Not wanting to hijack the post, just thought of this and then added @shack’s situation. I use this same sort of logic, if you know someone or they know someone that knows you it can be a really clean way of saying this is gonna be ok. Not to assume anything as well but this day and age, folks are starting to realize that they can manipulate someone’s life and hold them responsible for their mistakes. Just a couple weeks ago I went out to an area where logs were all felled and ready to cut up. I get my saw started and walk around out there. It just wasn’t looking good. Very sticky mud, clay-like, very Uneven and I was at a disadvantage for working on my own. The rounds would have been extremely difficult to move one at a time as a ditch was between the property and my truck. So I just did another check and just reconfirmed and reconnected with the fella who met up with me to allow me to cut, telling him it just wasn’t in my favor. I didn’t want to hold him liable and I personally accept that risk any time I cut. Anyone who goes out and cuts needs to do this. But some are so quick to want to be entitled to a dollar for injury, they don’t want to be held liable. If this wood is for personal heat then that should be fine but its hard to know if they will use it for that reason. Personal gain would be out of the question and here you’d say no because you could do that yourself...hope it does iron out well for you Shack.
