Clearfell value query

brandonw123

can anyone give an estimate of the value of clearfell return per acre on a 30 year old Sitka Spruce forestry, which was thinned once already?

I am nearing clearfell stage and trying to make a Decision to clearfell and replant or sell the forestry.

If selling a 30 year old plantation, approx how much per acre should I expect?
also how much per acre does it cost to replant ?
Many thanks

timfromtang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058398180/clearfell-value-query

You can! (scroll to the bottom for the OR you can)

You'll need to measure it to get an estimate of the volume per hectare.

You'll find good instructions on how to do this on the Teagasc website

a useful start here https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/crops/forestry/advice/Timber_Measurement_Conifers.pdf

You will then need to know the specifications and current prices for the various categories of products.

pulpwood, stakewood, energywood, at the lower end, followed by pallet logs and finally sawlogs.

Different sawmills and markets are available. https://www.woodtechnologyireland.ie/docs/Sawmill%20List%20Excel%20Jan%2018.pdf

Sawmills will tell you the specifications they want and should be able to give you an indication of the price for logs that meet that spec at the sawmill gate so to speak. I'd suggest an email query or such like.

There are other buyers too https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/crops/forestry/advice/Contact-List-for-Timber-Buyers-and-Contractors.pdf

You'll need an estimate of contractor costs, roading costs, and transport costs to the sawmill.

planning your sale is important https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/advice/timber-harvesting/harvesting-and-selling-timber-from-conifer-forests/plan-your-timber-sale/

Knowing the diameter range of the crop and its volume you can then estimate what portion will be sawlog, pallet log, pulp wood, and stake wood.

As for replanting costs, I'd suggest the the current afforestation grant rates provide a useful guideline on replanting costs, you will need to take care that the site is left in a suitable condition after harvesting and is not degraded and it is likely that the site drainage and fencing will require inputs also.

OR you can

pay a man or a woman

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/crops/forestry/grants/List-of-Registered-Foresters.pdf

And they can do all or much of the above, however the more you do yourself, the less you pay the man so to speak.

You will need a registered forester in any case to complete the clearfell process.

If you decide to clearfell and replant I would encourage you to go for a "continuous cover mix" if your site is suitable as this mix shows promise in terms of being considerable more windfirm than spruce monoculture. I speak from bitter experience having lost 3.8 Ha of Norway Spruce planted in 1996 to the recent storm Eowyn.

Hope this helps

Tim

brandonw123

thanks Tim,

That is very helpful 🤩👍

timfromtang

Hi Brandon,

There are many variables here,

Site being the most important, sitka has wildly varying yields on different sites. The quality of the thinning work will have had a significant effect on the quality of your crop.

I occurs to me that you are unlikely to sell the forest for more than you would make from clearfelling and replanting yourself plus the underlying land value (again very site dependent with high yielding windfirm sites commanding a significant premium).

I'd suggest have a gander at https://www.forestsales.ie/ and look for sites for sale similar to yours.

hope this helps

tim

brandonw123

Thanks Tim,

I was approaching the same conclusion regarding clearfell versus selling so it is reassuring to get your feedback .

I’ll check out Forest sales in the meantime.

Thanks again