How to Get the Best Timber Prices in Pennsylvania [A Guide]

One of the incredible things about Pennsylvania is the fact that there's plenty of forestry to go around. Whether you're looking to capitalize on the value of forest products, have hardwood or softwood that you've considered selling in the past, or are just curious about negotiating the best timber prices in Pennsylvania, this definitive guide has everything you need to understand exactly what goes into pricing and selling timber and wood products here in the forest management industry-- and how to get the best bang for your buck.

Here at Green Ridge Forest Products, we're a full service forestry company that works with landowners to help them get the best value for their standing timber and logs. Whether it's pine, red oak, white ash, or another tree type, our logging team assesses current price trends in order to make quality bids on all the timber we buy and manage. Family owned and operated for generations, we're a staple here in the Pennsylvania forest industry because of our commitment to quality, fairness, and sustainable forestry practices.

Smart timber sales usually require an expert forestry consultant

Negotiating the best timber prices for the timber on your land starts with understanding exactly what you have. There are hundreds of tree types, and many of them are used for different purposes within the timber industry. Hardwoods are different than softwoods, and if you're aware of what loggers are looking to harvest, you can often predict your luck when it comes to timber sales. Unless you're a certified timber expert, we recommend either consulting with a forest service contractor that can help explain the timber you have on your land, or partnering with a company like us that understands best management practices for timber and can help you make smart decisions about the best time  to sell, how to prevent thinning after selling, and even what to consider with tree planting in the future. Whichever option you choose, it's important to remember that an expert consultation is certainly the way to go in order to make sure you have a clear understanding of what's on your land by species, age, and potential value.

Factor in value when negotiating timber prices

Once you know your land, it's time to consider the return you're looking for from the sale of your timber. Timber is a natural resource, and while making a quick buck with a lump sum payment may sound nice, timber harvesting is a process that can make or break the land that you've likely worked hard to maintain. If you want a forester to simply come in and rip out your mature timber, there are a few companies that will. But if you're looking for value and the ability to sell your timber and forest resources again and again as time progresses, you'll want to consider foresters that understand sustainable forestry stewardship, and are willing to partner with you for the long haul. At Green Ridge Forest Products, for instance, we're just as committed to studying price trends in order to make fair bids as we are to reforestation and tree planting. We believe that wood and wood products are only as valuable as the efforts we take to use them. Whether we're harvesting hardwood timber, preparing softwood lumber, or just removing a stump from your land, we do it all with the idea of providing you more value for longer. Considering the return is a big part of getting the best price for your timber. Insist on companies that will go the extra mile to not just pay you for your timber, but to help you sustain it in the long run.

Be prepared to wait for the right bid on your timber land

Selling timber is a process that takes a lot of patience. Depending on the type of timber auction you hold, you'll want to be prepared to wait things out until the right bid from the right company comes around. Compare the bids you receive to market prices and to each other to ensure what foresters are quoting you aligns with what you should be receiving. Then, do some research on the companies themselves. Take a look at their mission, and ensure it lines up with what you're looking for. Reviews are always a good option to look at as well. All timber companies are not created equally, and there are a few bad eggs in the timber market that may pay you lip service but have absolutely no intention of protecting your land. You want a company that meshes with your goals, and will do everything in its power to leave your land in better shape than it was. That bid may not necessarily be the highest you receive, but the value you get out of that company will pay dividends down the road!

When you're looking for the best in forestry management, timber consultations, and sustainable practices, look no further than Green Ridge Forest Products. We know timber, and we know how to provide you and your land with long lasting value. Give us a ring, or contact us below to see how we can help you today!