04/21/2026
Watching these trees getting cut and then hauled to the saw mill had me reminiscing today. In 2006 these trees would bring the landowner $55/ton although we sold the wood by the bdft then. Converted from bdft to tons, it equates to $55/ton. Using inflated dollars today those trees should be selling for $91/ton. But they are selling in the low $20’s/ton right now in real dollars. The real economic loss for the landowner is $68/ton for every ton they have grown. The same for the timber dealer and the logging force, all have had to work harder for less money and more governmental regulation. I have always enjoyed being a forester and hope I can continue for a few more years. But the downward trend will be nearing zero dollars in my lifetime. Makes me sad.
