Firewood Price Predictions

[Swamp Yankee]

Let's get out the collective crystal ball.

Anyone have any thoughts as to where firewood prices will be this fall / winter?

Right now I'm seeing $160 to $200 per cord, seasoned, cut split, delivered.

Oil prices, though probably not as bad as last year, are on the rise again. That said, with the drop in logging activity, at least around here, the available tops and slash is getting pretty scarce, supplies may be low. Tree length deliveries are out to 6 to 8 weeks, even longer, only because they don't have the wood to sell, and I really don't see a huge increase in logging over the summer.

Me thinks it's a good time to be sitting on a nice pile of seasoning firewood.

Take Care

 

[stihlms460]

average last winter in jersey was around 225 a cord, u harldy ever saw it under 200 around here, in some ads they wanted near 300 lol, i sell a heaped up truckload (fullsized 8ft bed) for 95$ which is about a half cord.

 

[Butch(OH)]

'round here it was cheap last fall even with high oil and lots of Johny come lately wood burners. We saw $80 for full dry cords delivered anywhere in the county, Buuut we had the Ohio hurricane in the early fall and much much tree damage too. With fuel looking to be 2/3 last fall and more unemployed around Id say it will do good to be same as last year, My bet will bef or cheaper yet.
I am just about to turn 53 and sold firewood for more money in H.S.

 

[Ohiowoodguy]

I started last fall at $200/cord. There were so many laid-off hillbillies with a Poulan & pickup selling thru the winter that by March they were advertising a full cord delivered and stacked for $120, I tried to stay at $150/cord, but lost some customers over price. People around here don't understand the concept "you get what you pay for" with firewood.
My prediction for this fall is that there will be even more out-of-work guys selling "seasoned" "hardwood" "cords" that will really be fresh-cut willow truckloads for <$100:censored::censored::censored:

 

[BuddhaKat]

'round here it was cheap last fall even with high oil and lots of Johny come lately wood burners. We saw $80 for full dry cords delivered anywhere in the county, Buuut we had the Ohio hurricane in the early fall and much much tree damage too. With fuel looking to be 2/3 last fall and more unemployed around Id say it will do good to be same as last year, My bet will bef or cheaper yet.
I am just about to turn 53 and sold firewood for more money in H.S.

For what kind of wood?

 

[Butch(OH)]

For what kind of wood?

Like the other guy said most of the stupid cheap guys dont know what they are selling, some sell a pick up load for a cord, some sell less than that but there are a few that just plain sell good wood for little or nothing. Several advertised full cords of dry hardwoods for less than $100. One ad I remember was year old locust, full cord guarantied and delivered anywhere in the county $80. Hardwood slab is about half that. There are lots of unemployed here plus lots of Amish and that equals cheap wood.

 

[STLfirewood]

average last winter in jersey was around 225 a cord, u harldy ever saw it under 200 around here, in some ads they wanted near 300 lol, i sell a heaped up truckload (fullsized 8ft bed) for 95$ which is about a half cord.

I was getting $330 a cord last year. I don't know what's going to happen this year. There were a lot of people advertising for $150-220 a cord. A lot of it depends on how you write he ad. People would write a ad that would say ''wood for sale $60 a rank dumped off cash only" What does that sound like you are going to get? Write a professional ad and you will get more money. At least that is the way it works when selling wood in the city.

Scott

 

[husky455rancher]

ive never had as much wood as i do now best thing is im no where near done! i got a line on a big score. i might be starting it this weekend

 

[ulyssesjones]

The guy I bought from last year hasn't changed his prices yet. He quoted me $200 a cord for wood I need delivered in the next two weeks. That is the same price I got it for from him in September. It was all good wood and he will cut it to whatever length I need. So unless I can get the same quality for less I will probably stick with him. I was hoping he would make me a deal since I am ordering early and I am getting 5 or 6 cord.

If any of you guys in North Eastern CT have cord wood for less than $200 let me know.

-Jones

 

[Adam_MA]

I installed my wood stove as my "unemployment project" and was complete around the end of December. I probably called 15 different places to get prices on cord wood delivered. The prices ranged from $250 (would not return calls) to $495. After getting the thief that was selling for $495 angry by making him explain to me over and over again why his wood was worth $200 more than everyone else, I laughed as I hung up on him, and settled on a place that was "Best wood around, I been in business for 15 years, and 95% of my business is return. All hardwood, well seasoned, and ready to burn" I ended up paying $300 and only buying 1 cord of wood. Glad I did, as EVERY piece of wood was still wet, some of it ended up being pine, some of it was actually still green in color, and it was a light cord at that.

I spent the rest of the winter moving wood from the wood pile, to the basement, and chopping it into smaller pieces, because most of it was WAY to big, and then letting it sit in the basement for a week, before moving up to lay on top and around the stove so it would dry enough to get it to burn.

This year, besides equipment to process it myself, I haven't payed for a bit of wood. Here it is the middle of May, and I already have 4+ cord all cut and split. I figure it will take 6 cord total to recoup my equipment cost, and then it's all gravy!

Best part of it all, I love doing the work, and providing for yourself sure gives you a feeling of self worth!

 

[mtfallsmikey]

Seems like prices really jump once you go north of the Mason-Dixon....me thinks we are going to have a glut here....150 kva power line coming thru, landowners are responsible for removal of downed trees, timber market here is in the crapper.

 

[splittah]

was in the paper here this week for 170 delivered I think.

 

[KsWoodsMan]

With any luck the price/value of firewood will be at the opposite end of the scale from last year. Remember when fuel was over $4.00 a gallon ? I was out cutting in my spare time and traveling 25 miles round trip for some of it. The price of firewood went in the dumper with several layoffs in the area. There were ads for firewood that ranged from $35 U-Pick up to $50 a load delivered.

I couldn't justify selling mine for that price so it moved pretty slow.

Around here, it will be wishful thinking to believe it might get better this year. The same guys are still on layoff and the cost of fuel is still low enough for them to make $20-$30 A DAY cutting, splitting and selling firewood at $70 a cord.

For the customer, The fact that some of mine will have been seasoning for over a year and a half in the stack will make no difference. Most people aren't aware of the differences in species or between dry, seasoned wood and fresh cut green wood , so they are comparing by cost alone. If they don't know the difference and are happy burning green wood they will keep buying it cheap. I can't hold anything against the guy that's out there selling it cheap. His kids get hungry too. But they sure aren't doing themself any favor trying to sell it for less than it is worth.

 

[mtfallsmikey]

With any luck the price/value of firewood will be at the opposite end of the scale from last year. Remember when fuel was over $4.00 a gallon ? I was out cutting in my spare time and traveling 25 miles round trip for some of it. The price of firewood went in the dumper with several layoffs in the area. There were ads for firewood that ranged from $35 U-Pick up to $50 a load delivered.

I couldn't justify selling mine for that price so it moved pretty slow.

Around here, it will be wishful thinking to believe it might get better this year. The same guys are still on layoff and the cost of fuel is still low enough for them to make $20-$30 A DAY cutting, splitting and selling firewood at $70 a cord.

For the customer, The fact that some of mine will have been seasoning for over a year and a half in the stack will make no difference. Most people aren't aware of the differences in species or between dry, seasoned wood and fresh cut green wood , so they are comparing by cost alone. If they don't know the difference and are happy burning green wood they will keep buying it cheap. I can't hold anything against the guy that's out there selling it cheap. His kids get hungry too. But they sure aren't doing themself any favor trying to sell it for less than it is worth.

I could still go out and do plbg., hvac work before I'd do firewood that cheep....maybe cuz I'm over 50, who knows. But ya gotta do what ya gotta do tho...

 

[KsWoodsMan]

I could still go out and do plbg., hvac work before I'd do firewood that cheep....maybe cuz I'm over 50, who knows. But ya gotta do what ya gotta do tho...

No Kidding !

I enjoy cutting firewood , being outside and the workout, as well as the feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day. But I'm not going to go through all that trying to make money and just give it away. I'm not so limited that my day is only worth $30.

 

[woodbooga]

Last fall the going rate was in the 200-300 range. $250 seemed to be the norm with $225 being the price point set by them seeking an advantage.

I'm seeing a lot of $150-$200 green CS&D in the papers.

 

[Swamp Yankee]

Chainsaw & a Pickup

Ohiowoodguy

Saw that back in the recession of the late 80's & early 90's. At that time the price was driven down by every unemployed guy that had a saw and a truck.
The big difference between now and then as I see it and in talking to the guys I know still logging and selling firewood, is the supply of wood is drying up quickly. It's getting tough, even with connections to find firewood. The price per cord skidded to the landing, if you can find someone willing to sell has gone through the roof.

There's a tremendous amount of wood just north of me over the border in Mass. but it can't be transported out of the area because of the beetle issue. Prices should be dirt cheap in that area.

I've taken care of my few steady customers, some I've been selling to for 25 years already. I think I'll be stockpiling and start advertising in January 2010. If things go as I think, $250 to $300 a cord for decent seasoned wood should be common.

Take Care

 

[Rockland Farm]

Prices sure do vary depending on what part of the country your in.I was getting $150 for a solid 1/2 cord delivered last year.And sold every stick.I could have sold 5 times as much easily.This year I see more firewood for sale signs in my area,so we will see what happens.I might come down a little in price if necessary but not much.If you give a honest amount of wood your not making a whole lot of money anyway.I might sell more smaller amounts for pickup only,I had quite a few folks asking for that last year.My prediction is that I might lose a few sales to the fly by nighters.But after the customers get their still green short loads my phone will be ringing.

 

[Joshlaugh]

I doubt prices would go up around me. A cord was selling around $125 last winter and I expect it to be the same this year. I don't buy or sell but I do keep an eye on the prices.

 

[Scootermsp]

Another load coming next week. Just got 9 cords of Hickory and Oak. I thought it over and called today...I am getting 9 more Monday AM. I'll have enough wood then for almost 3 years
<a href="http://s525.photobucket.com/albums/cc336/scootermsp/?action=view&current=IMG_0691.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc336/scootermsp/IMG_0691.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

It's so nice (22' long, 8-10" diameter, arrow straight) that I said the heck with it I want more of this stuff.