Thread: I got called a Firewood Bandit

Don't they just run trees through metal detectors now. Before they cut them to make sure they are clean.

Just cut it up for firewood, it's doubtful that it has much greater value than the price of firewood.

Most Black Walnut that grows in the northern part of it's natural range isn't worth much, most of the " very good" stuff comes from Missouri and south-east Iowa, although some "good" trees can be found along river bottoms and wet areas into northern Iowa. The majority of high-grade walnut grows in the warmer, wetter parts of it's range. Normally, only select parts of the tree are useful for gun stocks (such as around crotches), and it takes several years of seasoning and sorting first. Just before I moved into this house the previous resident sold the "good" trees to loggers. They came in and took 23 trees (leaving all the tops for me!)... Out of those 23 trees only one was a Black Walnut, they left all the other walnuts standing. I asked the Boss-man about it... he said that none of the other walnuts were any good... They took 21 Oak, 1 Hickory and 1 Black Walnut... There has to be at least a dozen big Walnuts and twice that many Oaks they weren't interested in.

Originally Posted by Whitespider

Just cut it up for firewood, it's doubtful that it has much greater value than the price of firewood.

Most Black Walnut that grows in the northern part of it's natural range isn't worth much, most of the " very good" stuff comes from Missouri and south-east Iowa, although some "good" trees can be found along river bottoms and wet areas into northern Iowa. The majority of high-grade walnut grows in the warmer, wetter parts of it's range. Normally, only select parts of the tree are useful for gun stocks (such as around crotches), and it takes several years of seasoning and sorting first. Just before I moved into this house the previous resident sold the "good" trees to loggers. They came in and took 23 trees (leaving all the tops for me!)... Out of those 23 trees only one was a Black Walnut, they left all the other walnuts standing. I asked the Boss-man about it... he said that none of the other walnuts were any good... They took 21 Oak, 1 Hickory and 1 Black Walnut... There has to be at least a dozen big Walnuts and twice that many Oaks they weren't interested in.

I am a little surprised with the direction this thread has gone. I posted my story about what I figured was a good wood score with a little amusement, ("firewood bandit") and people are trying to tell me I should make lumber, gun stocks or god knows what on activities that not only am I not interested in but don't have the ability or machinery to accomplish. I don't tell anybody else what to do with their wood. If someone cuts a spruce, should I tell them to make it into an airplane like Howard Hughes and the Spruce Goose?

A month ago I was in Iowa helping out a farmer friend where I hunt cutting wood for him. His son the year before spent a day hauling 3 walnut logs to that he thought were the mother lode of walnut. After beating up his trailer loading these things with great difficulty he drove over 65 miles round trip taking them to a mill. For 3 giant black walnut logs he got a grand total of $ 46. I told Dale, you are short of firewood and it would have been worth triple that in value in firewood.

BTW, I am cutting all winter on a buddies brother's farm that was just logged and this is all black walnut tops that are going into the stove and I will laugh when I chuck in every stick.

Ron, aka "the bandit"

Originally Posted by c5rulz

I am a little surprised with the direction this thread has gone. I posted my story about what I figured was a good wood score with a little amusement, ("firewood bandit") and people are trying to tell me I should make lumber, gun stocks or god knows what on activities that not only am I not interested in but don't have the ability or machinery to accomplish. I don't tell anybody else what to do with their wood. If someone cuts a spruce, should I tell them to make it into an airplane like Howard Hughes and the Spruce Goose?

That's what makes these internet boards interesting. Different opinions. If the thread didin't take the turn it did, it would have died on page one.

It takes all to make the world go round.

I have enjoyed reading over the speculation of what you "should" of done with the log. The fact is, you can do whatever you want, but it may have benefited some of us as to what others do or have done. If I had the opportunity to "make big $" with a log, I may be better informed by reading this thread. So thank you to those who have posted this information.

Just saying,
Marty

Originally Posted by c5rulz

A month ago I was in Iowa helping out a farmer friend where I hunt cutting wood for him. His son the year before spent a day hauling 3 walnut logs to that he thought were the mother lode of walnut. After beating up his trailer loading these things with great difficulty he drove over 65 miles round trip taking them to a mill. For 3 giant black walnut logs he got a grand total of $ 46. I told Dale, you are short of firewood and it would have been worth triple that in value in firewood.

BTW, I am cutting all winter on a buddies brother's farm that was just logged and this is all black walnut tops that are going into the stove and I will laugh when I chuck in every stick.

Ron, aka "the bandit"

That stinks, was he not in a position to refuse their offer and drive home?

I have 2 monster ash trees down that would be good canidates for slabs (40" and 44" dbh) and offered them up to a member here, but he doesn't pay for wood... Well the way I see it is that all hardwood at my place is worth $100/cord to me, as thats the cheapest I can get firewood logs delivered for.

He was also a couple hours away so it wasn't going to be easy for him to see what I had, so we decided that its not going to work out. So I still have my firewood and he still has his gas and time.