By Lauren Grand, OSU Forestry and Natural Resources Extension, Extension Agent serving Lane County
We are still seeing a lot of action as we move into summer with prices coming back to our new normal. While prices have come down a couple hundred dollars per thousand board feet since last quarter, we are still up about $250 per thousand board feet (mbf) from our yearly average over the last 25 years. Which if you ask me, is not too shabby! Douglas-fir prices are currently sitting in the $850/mbf, with the potential for a $50-$150 increase for a really good quality log.
Chips haven’t been exciting in the recent past, but conifer chips are holding steady from last quarter at double what I usually report. You can find chip prices in the $45/ton range at the moment. Usually, we see chip prices come down when log prices go up, but more mills are able to deal with pulp now so chips are in higher demand at the moment.
The Hem-fir sorts (spruce, hemlock, grand and white fir) are down a bit his quarter but if you search you might find some good prices. I’m hearing that there might be more interest in hem-fir soon. Currently prices are between $525 – $575/mbf in the Roseburg area and $400-460 mbf if you are in the Eugene area.
Alder market is holding steady from last quarter. Alder is sitting in the $500 – $700 /mbf range depending on size. The twelve inchers are in the upper range and the eight inchers are in the lower range.
Redcedar prices are also holding steady in the higher portion of their range are in high demand fetching well over $1000/mbf, in the Eugene area and $900 in the Roseburg area. Incense-cedar in the Eugene area you are looking at $600/mbf and $750/mbf in Douglas County area. Port-Orford-cedar prices are holding steady in the $400 – $600 range.
Oregon grape is selling for around $0.75 a pound green. It’s best to get the product to your buyer within 2-3 days from harvest. There is a premium for certified organic. Usnea lichen is still sitting pretty at $5.50 clean and dry/lb. Cascara bark is also currently being purchased and will fetch you $0.45 green and $1.25 “potato chip” dry.
Well, prices are looking pretty great if you are not too short sighted. Summer is coming and that means more access to wood and the potential for prices to decline just a little bit more, but the story is never written in stone. If you plan to harvest, note that contractors are always in high demand especially in the summer. Make sure to find your logger early and be a bit flexible. Good luck and always remember to get your purchase order before you cut!
