What Are the Most Profitable Trees to Grow and Sell?
The most profitable trees to grow and sell in Pennsylvania include oak trees, walnut trees, hard maple and other similar species. If you have healthy growth and would like to profit from your investments, it helps to be familiar with the most valuable types of trees — and how to grow healthy trees for greater market value.
Selling trees that are worth the most money from your forest will add some extra cash to your pocket. Trees fetch different prices because of various factors involved in the calculations. This guide will discuss the most valuable trees right now so you can find out if you have any in your forest that you can sell to earn income.
The 2 Most Valuable Trees in Your Forest
Trees possess various physical characteristics that boost or shrink their stumpage value. The stumpage value refers to the price a buyer is willing to pay the owner of a standing tree (also known as a tree on its stump). Growing and selling your trees can be a worthwhile investment if you keep them healthy and in good shape. To keep the stumpage value at its best, keep the condition of the heartwood and sapwood in mind.
The heartwood is the nonliving part of the tree. It's denser and more resistant to decay, making it more valuable than the sapwood — the outer living part of the tree. A tree with good crown health also indicates a stronger tree with better market potential.
How Much Is an Oak Tree Worth?
Oak trees in timber sales are typically valued by board foot, ranging about 0.15–1.20 USD per board foot from pallet-grade to high-grade sawlogs; price depends on species (e.g., white vs. red oak), log quality, diameter, length, and local market (stumpage). Exceptional, veneer-quality white oak on prime sites can bring roughly $1,000 for a single tree, though that is uncommon.
Buyers pay a higher price for white oak trees because they are light brown with grain patterns.
These characteristics are a top choice for designing:
- High-quality furniture
- Residential and commercial flooring
- Outdoor structures like fences and decks
How Much Is a Black Walnut Tree Worth?
Walnut trees compete with oak trees to fetch the highest returns in the market. They sell for a high price because high-end furniture designers love their light brown to dark chocolate colors and their strength. Hiring an expert to harvest these trees will enable you to extend their life, as they take years to mature.
They create unique furniture pieces like:
- Premium furniture, including tables, chairs and other high-end items
- Craftsmanship items, like decorative cabinetry
Difference Between Yard Trees vs. Forest Trees
The distinction between yard and forest trees can impact their market value. Yard trees grow on privately controlled property, while forest trees grow freely in the deep wild. Trees grown in forests can yield better tree health, which is why growing your trees in the most natural surroundings possible can be the most profitable.
Forest trees fetch a higher value than yard trees because of their dark heartwood that produces smooth veneers for creating doors and cabinets. Additionally, the chances of finding undesirable foreign items, like nails hammered on forest trees, are low.
Yard trees may fetch an even lower value if they have white sapwood and nails or grow near fences and structures that complicate harvesting.
More Elements That Determine the Value of a Tree
Other factors that increase the value of a tree include:
- The tree's shape and health: A healthier tree is easier to harvest and produces more usable wood.
- The absence of defects: Fewer defects increase the marketability of trees, adding to their value.
- Uniform growth: Consistent growth boosts the wood's value, as there's less waste and the product is more predictable.
- A consistent color: As with uniform growth, consistent color adds to the tree's aesthetic appeal. There's also less risk of wastage.
- The size of the heart: The dark inner core of the tree is denser, resulting in more durable wood. A bigger heart typically means more wood to work with.
- A centered pith: The pith is the soft inner core of the tree. A centered pith ensures a balanced distribution of usable, commercially valuable wood.
How to Maximize Tree Profitability
Prepare your trees for sale to help ensure you get the best value for your timber. Follow one or more of these guidelines:
- Conduct a forest evaluation to assess the health of your trees and their value.
- Remove trees when needed to make space for new growth, maximizing your land.
- Consult with forestry experts to get professional advice.
Contact Beiler's Sawmill to Sell Your Trees for Lumber
Are you ready to sell standing timber from the valuable trees growing in your forest? Our team will help you determine how much money your tree is worth. These experts will remove white oaks, walnuts or other hardwoods to open room for light and new growth in your forest. Fill out our contact form or call 717-837-3570 to speak with one of our representatives.