prices.

[Ross Macneil]

Sorry, I should have explained better...

 

The cost of harvesting broadleafs (hardwoods) is expensive as very often it is not grown in parcels large enough to warrant mechanised harvesting or it has not grown straight enough for mechanised harvesting.

This means most cord is cut by hand, which means chainsaw operatives. This in turn means escalating costs year on year due to simple things like insurance, fuel, cost of living, vehicle, replacement parts for saws etc etc.

 

The same can be said for mechanised harvesting - fuel, insurance, maintenance, parts etc.

 

Ontop of this you have the fact that estates and land owners need to see a decent return on thier crop and so standing sale prices are up.

 

Couple that with the fact that the timber industry in general is at an all time high right now and then think about the demand for what is essentially a commodity and you have you're roadside price.

 

None of this makes much of a difference - the market is what the market is.

 

If a big player starts paying £75 a ton at roadside tomorrow then everybody else has to match that to secure supply.

 

So in answer to your question.. It's Both!

You are spot on highland people don't understand the work that goes into getting it to the road side.

[robbo 110]

Sorry, I should have explained better...

 

The cost of harvesting broadleafs (hardwoods) is expensive as very often it is not grown in parcels large enough to warrant mechanised harvesting or it has not grown straight enough for mechanised harvesting.

This means most cord is cut by hand, which means chainsaw operatives. This in turn means escalating costs year on year due to simple things like insurance, fuel, cost of living, vehicle, replacement parts for saws etc etc.

 

The same can be said for mechanised harvesting - fuel, insurance, maintenance, parts etc.

 

Ontop of this you have the fact that estates and land owners need to see a decent return on thier crop and so standing sale prices are up.

 

Couple that with the fact that the timber industry in general is at an all time high right now and then think about the demand for what is essentially a commodity and you have you're roadside price.

 

None of this makes much of a difference - the market is what the market is.

 

If a big player starts paying £75 a ton at roadside tomorrow then everybody else has to match that to secure supply.

 

So in answer to your question.. It's Both!

 

i completely agree, what i cant understand is why the last people in the chain..... the firewood suppliers, dont stick together a bit more, to make a decent profit out of hard work, why anybody would want to supply & deliver a cubic metre of loosely stacked,seasoned hardwood logs for less than £80-£100 is beyond me, we can all sit at home an earn nothing!! crazy crazy times!!!

[Highland Forestry]

Robbo - there needs to be some kind of industry reform IMO..

 

Everyone in my area is roughly the same bar the odd few that are happy to work for nothing or charge way over the odds.

 

The biggest problem I feel is guys selling cheap firewood that's not sustainable. For example all of my firewood sold either loose to customers or to large merchants is FSC...

[Highland Forestry]

You are spot on highland people don't understand the work that goes into getting it to the road side.

 

Too right! There's alot of effort goes in behind the scenes before it even gets to roadside.... I didn't even mention contract management, cash flow, training, site meetings and inspections, marketing.... the list of costs is endless.

[scbk]

Too right! There's alot of effort goes in behind the scenes before it even gets to roadside.... I didn't even mention contract management, cash flow, training, site meetings and inspections, marketing.... the list of costs is endless.

 

And, of course, the cost of signs saying "warning forest operations"

[b101uk]

Its ok criticising people who sell cheaper than you, but it all depends on where you get your wood from and what your main business is.

 

If you just sell firewood thus have to buy in timber then its actually YOU that is out of step with price and charging to much vs. someone who firewood is a mere small sideline and means of disposing of arisings from there main business activity as saleable product.

 

loosely stacked/piled, “seasoned” hardwood logs for £80 to £100 per 1m3 is a joke necessitated by buying wood to convert in the first place

[JayVee]

If there is demand at 80-100 then it's no joke. It makes perfect sense.

[gensetsteve]

Its ok criticising people who sell cheaper than you, but it all depends on where you get your wood from and what your main business is.

 

If you just sell firewood thus have to buy in timber then its actually YOU that is out of step with price and charging to much vs. someone who firewood is a mere small sideline and means of disposing of arisings from there main business activity as saleable product.

 

loosely stacked/piled, “seasoned” hardwood logs for £80 to £100 per 1m3 is a joke necessitated by buying wood to convert in the first place

 

People who get a couple of tonne of arrisings are not going to scratch the surface of the demand. Luckily people who get their wood "free" and sell it for nothing run out in November. Thats why we dont sell in November but go on holiday .

[csservices]

It also depends on how much you've got tied up in machinery, if you've spent a few grand on a firewood processor obviously your going to want to see a quicker return on it than someone like me who uses a chainsaw and an axe, both of which stand me at nothing as I already had them, firewood for me is extra winter cash flow when my other works quiet, if I was on all out firewood for a living with thousands tied up in equipment then I'd probably be selling in the £80-100 bracket but it also depends on your local market, round here at that price I'd have been having a very quiet winter so far

[Highland Forestry]

And, of course, the cost of signs saying "warning forest operations"

 

Ahh I had forgotten about those little blighters.... damned near £5 a shot too!!