When you’re looking to buy timberland, it’s important to have a sense of the value of the timber on the property. Since timber is often the most valuable asset on this kind of property, you need some realistic idea of how much potential there is for future timber sales. Otherwise, you risk overpaying and losing money from future sales. In this post, we’ll discuss how to get a reasonable timber inventory and a realistic timber value before you purchase land.

Getting started: Some Key Terms

Timber Inventory

Everyone knows what an inventory is, but the term “tree inventory” may not be familiar to most people. But it’s a standard industry term and having a working understanding of what it entails will be valuable to any owner of timberland. Another common term for this activity is called “cruising timber.”

Tree inventories are often done before land is sold so that both buyer and seller can know the value of what is being sold. Many buyers will offer a tree inventory to interested purchasers, but a wise buyer will realize that the numbers need to be verified. You’re taking a risk if you just take the seller’s word for the value. This article at Land Think is very detailed and helpful. 

Measurement Terms

The standard way to gather solid information when taking inventory of a forest is to measure both trees per acre and volume per acre. 

Wood categories

It’s obvious that a year-old seedling doesn’t have the value that an 80-year-old oak does. So how do foresters classify trees when doing a cruise?

Two broad categories of wood value are trees suitable for pulpwood and those suitable for saw logs. Trees suitable for pulpwood (used for making things like paper) range from about 6” to 12” in diameter. While there is value here, the value is much less than on larger trees that can be used for logs. Trees from about 12” diameter and larger are suitable for saw timber. Best of all are logs large enough (18”- 20” and more) that can be used for veneer. (Even if a log fits this category, it may not have the interior quality that suits it for veneer.)

The standard place to measure a tree’s diameter is at 4’ from ground level. This is known as the tree’s DBH (diameter at breast height). For saw logs, the useful portion of the tree starts around here and goes up to where the first significant branch starts. This is known as its Merchantable Height. The rest of the tree isn’t of value for logs.

Tree volume is measured in two ways, depending on the two categories just mentioned. For saw logs, the trees will be counted or estimated to see how many “board feet” of lumber they can produce. Pulpwood, on the other hand, is measured by volume or weight and is recorded as cords, cubic feet, or tons. 

Timber Basis

When it’s time to sell the timber, you will pay tax on the profits. But to be able to calculate the profits, you need to know how much you initially spent on the timber. Once you have an accurate timber inventory, you will be able to record your basis. It’s much better to have this completed prior to or near the time of purchase. While it can be done even decades later, it will be very hard to get accurate numbers, especially if you’ve not kept accurate records.

Understand the Timber Market and Species

With these key terms behind us, we need to look at some other elements that make up the value of your timber. It’s not enough to know just how many trees you have. You also need to know something about the timber market and the kinds of trees that you have.

The market for timber depends on supply and demand, but this doesn’t always mean that you will get the benefits of high prices. One good thing about timber is that you have options about when you sell. It’s possible to coordinate your harvest with a peak in the market – as long as you aren’t in a hurry to sell, and as long as the market doesn’t plunge once you’ve committed to the harvest.

The value of timber on a property also depends on the kinds of trees that it contains – the tree species. Tree species vary widely across the nation, and trees found in some forests aren’t as valuable in those found in others. The deep South, in states like Alabama and Mississippi, is known for its miles and miles of timber “plantations.” Huge areas are planted with pines, not unlike planting corn. These “crops” are cut every several decades and then replanted. This is a prime source for much of the framing lumber and plywood that is used in construction, but these trees do not have the value on a tree-by-tree basis that hardwoods from northern forests will have.

Hardwood forests produce such trees as oak, maple, hickory, cherry, and walnut. These trees are used for furniture, cabinets, and veneer work and they bring better prices than the average pine or spruce tree.

Conduct a Timber Inventory

Now that you know what a timber inventory is, it’s important to have a reliable one completed prior to your purchase. If the seller provides an inventory for you, we recommend finding your own forester for his evaluation of the numbers. You may want to have him do his own cruise. But at the very least, you need a professional who can sense whether the numbers seem reasonable or highly overblown. A professional forester will have the resources and knowledge to give you peace of mind about your purchase.  

Estimate the Volume and Value of Timber

With the information gathered in the timber inventory, a forester can estimate the volume and value of timber on the property. The volume of timber is measured in cubic feet or board feet, and the value of timber is calculated based on the current market. 

There are many things to consider in the analysis of a stand of timber, including the age and health of the forest, the quality of the timber, and future trends. Increasingly, invasive insects and diseases have caused untold damage in various parts of the country. In some cases, entire species of trees have been nearly eradicated. Although no one can predict the future, knowing your species and the current pest pressure on them will give you some sense of what’s coming.

Consider the Cost of Harvesting and Transportation

When estimating the value of the timber, it’s important to consider the cost of harvesting and transporting the timber to market. These costs can vary depending on the location of the property and the condition of the roads leading to it. 

How close is the property to a sawmill? Are there multiple mills nearby? The closer you are to healthy competition, the more you can hope to see in prices when selling your timber.

Conduct a Cost-Benefit Analysis

After estimating the value of the timber and the cost of harvesting and transportation, conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine if investing in the property is a good decision. Consider the potential future timber value, the cost of managing the property, and any potential income streams from hunting or other recreational activities. A professional forester or timberland consultant can help you conduct a cost-benefit analysis.

Conclusion

Investing in timberland can be a profitable venture, but it’s important to understand the value of the timber on the property before making a purchase. By conducting a timber inventory and estimating the value of the timber, you can make an informed decision about the property. 

Don’t try to go it alone! Professional guidance in these specialized areas can make the difference between a great decision and a disaster. With the right information and guidance, investing in timberland can be a sound financial decision.