Does anyone know of a timber harvest company? We would like to get a few properties appraised to see how much timber value there is on the property. One particular property has a ton of mature red oaks and maple trees. We would like to selectively harvest to earn some cash and clear some of the thicker areas.
Area ???? 
You can call your local foresty department too. They might have some ideas for you. It is good to get two points of view. Some (not all) tree harvesters might try and take trees that should not be taken.
NE of parkers prairie…
I would start here… they should be able to point you in the right direction.
Natural Resources Consulting
705 Forest Ave SE
Staples, MN 56479
(218) 894-3440
Totally clear a few acres and watch the bedding cover get THICK!!!! 
It seems to me like I had a neighbor have a logger from the Shell Lake, WI area log his place. Just start Googling them. I think there is also one in the Fountain/Lansburo, MN area, Root River Logging Company??? They may still be up and Running….Good luck…you can make some good $$$ managing a mature woods like that 
Do you really want to get rid of your oaks? They drop a lot of deer food year after year with zero maintenance? We were thinking of getting rid of the junk (poplar) trees and keeping all of he oaks.
Ferny
Quote:
Do you really want to get rid of your oaks? They drop a lot of deer food year after year with zero maintenance? We were thinking of getting rid of the junk (poplar) trees and keeping all of he oaks.
Ferny
He did mention select harvest.. I assume that means keep some of the mature oaks, and thin out the trees around them so they don’t have to compete as much for nutrients/sun… (which means even more acorns!)
With productive oaks and thick, nasty bedding cover close by, you just created whitetail heaven. 
Log prices are in the toilet right now. The slow economy is holding them down. I see very few log trucks on the road here is Southwest Wisconsin. They used to be a daily occurance, and now I see one or two a week.
If you can hold off for a few years, I’d wait. If your under a contract like Managed Forest, you’ll have to cut them. I don’t know if Minnesota has that tax program.
I know a few loggers here is Wisconsin that are making more money cutting firewood than they make cutting logs. I spoke with one this past week that cuts his oak into firewood if it won’t make a veneer log.
I’d check with your local DNR Forester for a list of reputable loggers. Make sure they buy on scale and not by the acre. Make sure they re-grade and seed any roads they make.
You metioned selective cutting of oaks and maples. Unfortunately, oaks regenerate better from a clear cut. Oak saplings aren’t shade tolerant. If you selectively cut, you will likely end up with all maple. Maple is shade tolerant and will over take a select cut.
Your local forester can help you develop the best cutting plan for your particular parcel.
Not to mention, the term “select cut” can mean something very different for the logger vs. landowner. Select cut, to them, often includes cutting trees younger than you’d like to see them cut, getting them more timber for less invested in your property. Esp. with walnut, letting those trees grow another 10-20 years can quadruple their value.
As long as you’re clear in your understandings, or better yet will actually mark each tree to be taken, you’ll both end up with what you wanted!
Joel
We are having our 40 select cut starting next week. We are taking only the mature poplar. There is more money in pulp for paper right now than boards.
Good / interesting info. Neat post!
“You metioned selective cutting of oaks and maples. Unfortunately, oaks regenerate better from a clear cut. Oak saplings aren’t shade tolerant. If you selectively cut, you will likely end up with all maple. Maple is shade tolerant and will over take a select cut.”
Cool tidbit of info.
I have a buddy who just logged the land I usually gun hunt. He clear cut a few acres just for bedding cover production in a year or two, and marked all the trees he wanted to keep after discussing it with the loggers/forester. He did keep some really nice trees for himself to let grow and turn into a living room floor in a bout 10 years. And a number of mature oaks for the deer
If you do decide to have an area logged, be very sure you and the logger understand what is being done. Often times they will take only the best parts of the trees, and drop the rest of the stuff where it lays. They can make a huge mess.
Exactly what Joel said, make them mark the trees to be taken. One of the properties I hunt but do NOT own was selectively harvested for walnut a couple years ago. They did a great job only taking the mature trees leaving the younger walnuts to grow a few more years. What this provided for the deer was amazing! The browse in this woods multiplied by probably 5X and only 2 years later this woods has gotten extremely thick in the areas they logged. Where I shot my buck from the deers perspective was extremely thick but once I was in the stand above the 3-5′ growth I could see 100 yards! The deer are walking through this area eating browse non-stop. There is doubt this has been a great benefit to the deer and the landowner!
Just make it clear with the logger how you want it done. If they don’t like it find another, there are plenty of them out there! 
It took us a few years to find the right logger. When we did find the right guy, we made it perfectly clear what we wanted by walking the property several times. Each tree that a saw will see has been spray painted, no guesswork.
Our land has an estimated 100-150 cord of mature popple that needs to go, they just die and fall over anyways, which they’re starting to do. This should only unlock our exsiting hardwoods and create some great browse. We are going to start by creating a 6ft wide X through the property from corner to corner, everything in the way is an added bonus to his harvest and adds money to our bottom line, whether it be oaks, pine, etc. This now creates some great trails that will be groomed yearly, but also easy landings for the popple and will keep the skidder from tearing up everything. I also didn’t want tree tops littering the land and looking like crap so he agreed to bring all the tops to a designated landing for future firewood if he could come in and remove stumps. There isn’t a lot of money in stumps, but he’s small time and sells mulch on the side. Win win for everybody.
Now, there’s no guarantee what our dollar amount will be, everything depends on the mill but he figures a guesstimate of 7-10 grand. Our new garage kit with electric will be ready for next year!
Bottom line is, becareful who you have cut your property. Make sure everything is crystal clear before the saws come out. Plenty of guys out there cutting trees!
Well, I definately learned something. The price of wood is truly in the tank. What we were told last year about an estimated price for our wood has shrunk considerably! Best thing to do is wait until the prices come back up. 
yep I work at a lumber yard
next year should be better as supply and demand get back together
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