Timber Value Estimator
"What's my timber worth?" is the question Henry hears most often from landowners in Sullivan, Orange, and Ulster counties. The honest answer: it depends heavily on species, tree size, stand density, and what mills are paying that month.
This estimator gives you a rough screening range to calibrate expectations before a professional timber cruise. It is not a formal appraisal — real value requires a site visit and species-by-species assessment. Use this to get a ballpark, then call Henry if the number is meaningful to you.
Free Screening Tool
Estimate Your Timber Value
Enter your woodland details to get an estimated stumpage value range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this timber value estimate?
This tool produces a rough screening range, not a formal appraisal. Actual stumpage value depends on individual tree grades (not just average diameter), current mill pricing at the time of harvest, logging contractor costs, skidding distance, road access, and stand condition. A professional timber cruise by a licensed forester can pin down actual value far more accurately than any online tool.
What is stumpage value?
Stumpage value is what a timber buyer or logger pays the landowner for standing timber — it's the price per thousand board feet (MBF) at the stump, before logging costs are deducted. Stumpage is the landowner's share of the wood value after the logger accounts for equipment, labor, and hauling. Prices fluctuate by species, log grade, regional demand, and season.
Why does species matter so much for timber pricing?
Species is often the single biggest variable in stumpage value. Black cherry commands the highest prices in the northeast — sometimes 4–6× what mixed hardwood fetches — driven by furniture and cabinet demand. White oak is strong due to whiskey barrel and flooring markets. Red oak is solid but more dependent on export markets. White ash has dropped sharply in many areas due to Emerald Ash Borer-forced harvests flooding supply.
How do I know what species I have on my property?
The most reliable way is a site visit from a consulting forester who can walk the stand and identify and inventory your species mix. For self-identification, the NY DEC Forestry Division and Cornell Cooperative Extension publish tree ID guides specific to the Hudson Valley and Catskills region. Common marketable species in Sullivan, Orange, and Ulster counties include red oak, white oak, black cherry, hard maple, basswood, and white ash.
When is the best time to sell timber?
Timber market timing matters, but stand readiness matters more. Selling timber through a well-planned selective cut — where a certified forester has marked which trees to remove for forest health — typically yields better long-term value than optimizing around short-term market windows. EFP recommends thinking in 10–20 year management cycles. The best time to sell is when your forest is ready, not when you need the money urgently.
What costs reduce the stumpage check I receive?
Stumpage is already net of logging costs, so what you receive as a landowner is the stumpage payment directly. However, you should budget for: a forest management plan ($800–$2,000 if not already done), a timber cruise and sale administration fee if you use a consulting forester (typically 10–15% of stumpage), and any required permits or DEC notifications. Some landowners also invest in access road improvements before a harvest.
Get a Real Timber Appraisal
Henry walks your property personally and gives you an honest assessment — no obligation.
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