Norway Spruce Commercial Value?

[Sasquatch]

Hi

 

I have been looking at an area of about 9 1/2 acres of what is largely Norway Spruce, with some scots pine and some mature oaks and beech and hornbeam, the hards woods are to be retained, the majority of the spruce is 15 - 18 inches DBH. This is dense stand which requires thinning approximately 30%. The intention is to selectively thin the spruce throughout the wood and then clear fell and replant one or two small coups and replant with mixed native hardwoods. Firstly, however, there is a Rhododendron infestation to eradicate. In future years the intention is that more coups would be felled and replanted, to improve the wood and to increase biodiversity.

 

Does anyone have any suggestion on how I might get the best return on the Spruce, I was offered £10-£12 a ton by a local company for producing fuel chip and £6-£8 for top. Any ideas for other more profitable outlets?

 

The wood located in East Sussex

 

Any ideas would be appreciated

[tommer9]

That doesnt sound very good money for Biomass....I was offered 10/ tonne for tree surgery waste a year ago!

Probably your best bet though.

[mattplace]

An old forester friend used to fell all his Norway Spruce in November and sell the tops for Christmas trees. Made an absolute killing every year!

 

A little way to make a bit more on top.... especially at £25 min per tree last christmas!

[Brushcutter]

Selling the tops for xmas trees is a top idea. Missed out this year as i felled Norway in Jan. If you can do 3.75m lengths to 8" top you can get ~30 ish a tonne for saw logs. To 6" top 2.5m lengths so 18-25 quid for fencing. About 8 quid a tonne for chip. That was in September i was getting that.

 

Just in the process of selling a load of blown norway in 3m lengths which is going 20 quid a tonne for firewood.

 

Selling for biomas will always be poor money but it is the easiet way to get rid of wood.

 

If it's big Rohdy you can sell for firewood/biomass too.

[twistedhicap]

Hey does this mean i get to come play in the woods !!!!! ha ha ! ill get the 110 back on the road !

 

That Rayburn of yours will love the rhody !!!!

 

Oh and hello Martin glad your posting

[Sasquatch]

Hi ,

 

Thanks for all the replies given me some food for thought!!

 

David course you can come do a bit of felling, might have to get a bit creative extracting it to the landing because I dont wanna mess the ground up too much but i'm sure we will figure it out.

[twistedhicap]

Ha ha will have to get the Kubota out and build a skiding arch

[Sasquatch]

Now thats sounds like a plan