By Lauren Grand, OSU Extension Forestry & Natural Resources, Lane County
Keeping consistent with normal trends, this summer’s prices are already decreasing. Small-diameter wood is abundant because of access, the ice storm, and two small log mills closing in the area. Demand for smaller logs is low and prices have decreased about five percent after being consistent for a little while. Large logs have some interest, but nothing that will make you jump out of your chair.
Douglas-fir prices in the Lane County area are around $700/mbf while the prices in the Douglas County area are $25-50 less except for the high-quality logs which are about $100 more.
The chip market seems to be holding steady and, at the time of this report, the prices range between $25 and $30 per ton depending on your location.
Alder isn’t seeing any movement either and buyers aren’t buying too much at a time because the mills are running slowly. Prices are around $550/mbf.
Western redcedar fluctuates in price depending on how close you are to the mills in WA. Buyers that truck the logs from down south are offering closer to $900 and prices increase towards $1300 as you get closer to WA. Incense cedar is not in demand in Southern Oregon with on mill no longer in the market and only one other buying minimal volume. Incense cedar pricing is between $500 and $750 per thousand board feet depending on size and distance.
Unfortunately, I still don’t have a crystal ball, so I can’t tell you when prices will come up again, but I can share some log buyer wisdom. Thoughts are that with the new harvesting restrictions, modernization of some mills, and residual fire effects demand will start to rise again over the next couple of years and hopefully, it will bring prices up with it. Until then, dust off your management plan and make the necessary updates. If you decide its time to sell logs, always get the purchase order before you cut. Enjoy the sunny weather!
