Sitka Spruce - first thinning - Price per tonne?

[rootedwill]

Hello,

 

I've just been handed the task of thinning a 12 year old, 6 acre plantation of Sitka spruce.

Trunk diameter up to 16"

 

I was wondering what price I should expect per tonne or per lorry load if picked up from roadside?

 

Thanks.

[Big J]

God, that's fast grown!

 

£28 a tonne roadside, last I heard for pulp and chip wood. I doubt you'll get much else out of it.

 

Jonathan

[Wood wasp]

16" in 12 years, that would be a great yield but surely must be a typo?!

[SamWhiting12]

Hello,

 

I've just been handed the task of thinning a 12 year old, 6 acre plantation of Sitka spruce.

Trunk diameter up to 16"

 

I was wondering what price I should expect per tonne or per lorry load if picked up from roadside?

 

Thanks.

 

Likes of Euroforest are asking for £42 a tonne at the minute for softwood delivered.

 

Ive dropped you a PM.

[Lucan]

6 acres of first thinning SS sounds like not a lot of timber, how much are you expecting to get out of it?

 

Would imagine only a couple of days work so when factor in cost of low loader, site visits, have to make sure you cover your costs

 

You can get pallet and some 3.1s out of first thinning but for the volume i'd put it all through as chip. I don't think many of the big boys would be interested in small volumes of SS so would take any offers given on here:thumbup:

[ben_inthewoods]

6 acres of first thinning SS sounds like not a lot of timber, how much are you expecting to get out of it?

 

Would imagine only a couple of days work so when factor in cost of low loader, site visits, have to make sure you cover your costs

 

You can get pallet and some 3.1s out of first thinning but for the volume i'd put it all through as chip. I don't think many of the big boys would be interested in small volumes of SS so would take any offers given on here:thumbup:

 

6 acres = 2.3ha

1st thinning racks at 14-18m centres plus matrix = Approx 60m3 per ha so 140t or thereabouts, 5-6 loads of timber.

 

I would definitely limit products in such a small volume, else you will be left with part loads that will never be picked up.

 

Steepness, distance from haulage point all add to cost as do proximity of roads, power lines, phone lines, badger setts (the last 3 might be a show stopper this time of year).

 

For hand cutters £19/t to roadside absolute minimum - any difficulties and the price has to rise. My starting point would be £24/t as that should keep the job cash positive for the woodland owner.

[slack ma girdle]

Hello,

 

I've just been handed the task of thinning a 12 year old, 6 acre plantation of Sitka spruce.

Trunk diameter up to 16"

 

I was wondering what price I should expect per tonne or per lorry load if picked up from roadside?

 

Thanks.

 

I was offered £40 per cube for fencing material delivered, but as it turned out most was not suitable for fencing. You will probably be able to shift most of it for firewood, and that is going for £35 per cube roadside around here.

You are going to have to go like the clappers to get it roadside and cover your costs, let alone make any money on first thinnings.

What proccessing machinery are you using ?

[County 764]

If its 12 year old your not going to exceed 25t/ha.

 

Forget Pallet and fencing cuts go for SRW (firewood,Chip)

 

Worth looking up what you'll get out volume wise, easy looked up in the FC blue book.

[SteveA]

We have a bunch of sitka to fell and we've been thinking of converting them into seasoned firewood. From the comments it appears that's a best plan.

 

cheers, Steve