How Much Are Pine Trees Worth?

In my work as a Consulting Forester, I often get calls and in-person questions about what trees are worth. My standard answer is “it depends”. Often, people are talking about a few trees in their yard.

So, how much are pine trees worth? That depends on whether you are talking about a yard tree or a stand of timber. To value a pine tree in the yard, you would need to have it appraised by an Arborist. He will be able to value the replacement cost of the tree plus its aesthetic value.

Sometimes they have a few dead oak trees or an old pine plantation that was planted back during the Great Depression by the CCC and other government make-work programs. Yard trees have their value in aesthetics and shade.

A Certified Arborist could give you an appraisal on a particular tree. A plantation could have many board feet to the acre if it was thinned correctly or it could have a bunch of crowded and stunted trees that are worthless.

A plantation has to be large in order for someone to be interested in coming to harvest it. In the case of white pine, they may have had insect damage when they were saplings and are very limby with no clear wood. So, as you can see, there are many factors that effect the value of trees.

If you want to value a stand of standing timber, you will need a Consulting Forester. He will conduct a timber cruise, tally up the board feet of timber and apply that to the current market price.

In this blog post, I will go over how a stand of timber is measured.  Pine trees are most valuable in a well-managed plantation. In forestry vernacular this is called “pines in lines.”

In a forest setting with an occasional pine tree, nobody goes there to pick at the pines only. They are an add-on to a hardwood timber sale.

How Are Pine Trees Appraised?

Trees, in general, vary enormously in value.  Value depends on species, quality and current market conditions.

In the Southeastern U.S. pine lumber used for decking building and poles is a big business and there is an infrastructure to use that material. This infrastructure creates a better market for pine than here in the northeast.

Pine is not used much for structural wood. It is used for barn siding. So, there is little demand for the lumber.  Demand is what drives timber prices.

How Much is an Acre of Timber Worth?

Timber is measured by the Board Feet per Acre of saw timber and either tons or cords of pulpwood. This value can vary widely depending on the species and quality of trees on that acre.

I have marked timber on land that has nothing but pulpwood where the value was around $60 per acre.  In contrast I once sold a stand of big walnut trees that brought $6,000 per acre.

Pine prices in PA are down around 7 cents per board foot. Compared to white oak today at 50 cents per board foot, it takes a lot of very high quality pine to have much value on an acre of land.

Natural Pine Stands Versus Plantation Pine Stands

The most valuable pine trees are in a well-managed plantation.  By well-managed, I mean that it has been thinned at the right times to maximize the growth and clear lumber in the tree.

How To Sell Pine Tress

You will not be able to sell a pine tree in your yard.  it is simply not worth the time and risk for someone to cut it down and take it away.  However, if you have a good stand of pine that is larger than the wheel on your car (about 16 inches diameter) and tall with clean bowls or trunks, then you may want to get a consulting forester to come and measure what you have.

A Forester can measure the trees with a timber cruise to provide you an estimate of the number of trees, the board feet of sawlogs and the amount of pulpwood ad apply that to the current price of that material.  That way you have a good valuation of your trees.

A Forester will also be able to provide good advice as to how to manage your trees to maximize their value. A Forester can also manage a sale of trees from start to finish.

He will provide a good estimate of volume and negotiate on your behalf the sale of the timber. He will oversee the logging operations and make sure you are environmentally compliant.

The small percentage you pay a Forester is more than worth it since you will obtain a better price for your timber and be sure the logging will be done according to Best Management Practices.

Conclusion

Pine trees in a yard are not worth anything for lumber compared to what they are worth for shade and aesthetics.  The value can be appraised by and Arborist.

The value of pine trees in the forest or in a plantation can be appraised by a Consulting Forester. Pine timber generally sells for less than ten cents per board foot.

So, a big pine tree might be worth $30. However, on a big well-managed plantation, that could add up to significant value on a per-acre basis.

365 thoughts on “How Much Are Pine Trees Worth?”

  5. Susan Faivre-Zuniga

    I have about 3.5 acres of planted pines I would like to sell. I need advice in Gasden County, FL area on a reputable company that will harvest the trees for me. Any suggestions??

    Reply
  9. Lafayette Tucker

    My name is Lafayette Tucker my neighbor and I are interested in sell our pine trees in the back of our homes can someone call me back at 708-646-4880

    Reply

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  14. Levi

    I’ve got 68 pines from 36-20inches in diameter 70 feet tall. All of them can be dropped except 8 of them. Levi Hahn
    337-224-6000
    Scott La

    Reply
  15. Patrick

    I have about 17 pine trees that I would like to get removed no charge. If there is anyone in the Maryland area call this number 4438505048 and leave a voicemail. They range from 15 inches to several feet in width.

    Reply
  16. Gigi

    My family and I have two pieces of property (one 120 acres, other 80 acres) both in Oklahoma that have become over grown with trees. There is a numerous amount of trees. We are consider selling the trees and would like more information regarding this process. We would need someone to come out, cut and remove the trees.

    Reply
  19. Lance

    I have 75 acres of pine trees that are over 50 feet tall and over 20 inches in diameter. I am located in Central California. Can someone give me an estimate of the value to a lumber company?

    Reply
  22. Romy Michel-Blundy

    Hi from South Jersey,

    My neighbor and I would like to get sold 20 pine trees that are over 50 ft tall and over 40 years old. Come get them now. We are located in South Jersey. Please text 301-830-5193 if interested.

    Reply
  23. Joshua Whelan

    I have 250 acres of pine I need appraised and harvested for the right price… Well maintained in rows ready to go… In central Florida 8132353489

    Reply
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