Timber Framers Guild Forums General Discussion Forestry Topics Harvesting your own timebers

Hello,

I am thinking a buying a wood lot near my property to harvest my own timbers for my projects, but I am debating if its worth the trouble? I am just an amateur timber framer wanabe and I do not have any equipment to get the logs out and think it maybe wiser to just by logs from the area.

I would like to hear what others have experienced.

Can't edit, but should read timbers. Next time, I will preview my posts.

I guess it all depends on what you want to build.

If you're going to build some out buildings you maybe ok. But if you're going to try and build your own house you may need to speak with the building inspector and see if he will allow your own timbers to be used. Or whether or not if they will need to be grade stamped.

You maybe able to hire a traveling grader to come to your site and grade your timbers if you need them graded.

As for moving the logs out you can always hire someone to do that for you. Or you could by a timber arch to use to haul them out.

Good luck with your project.

Jim Rogers

I would not purchase a lot just to harvest timber for one job. But if it was for multipurpose such a use would enhance the usefulness of the property. Say you lived there, grew fruit trees and gardens, and cared for the lot by selectively cutting, things would come together.

What happens if you build a outbuilding and later in life repurpose it for living space, would you need an inspector the grade the timber?

Tim:
Good question. I guess only the building inspector can say for sure.

But I have heard of officials reviewing standing frames and rejecting used timbers that had to be replaced because they were considered too low a grade.

Jim Rogers

Hi Treizea;

I have always wanted a wood lot but never been able to justify the cost and I burn firewood for heat too. Just paying the real estate taxes would be financially acceptable if I could get some free land!

My understanding is that buying land as a real estate investment is usually not worthwhile either, but it depends where you are and if the area grows substantially over the a lifetime and if you are willing to sell it as a development.

How well rooted are you? I moved from New Hampshire to Maine about 12 years ago. If I had my dream woodlot but it was in New Hampshire it would not be practical to use.

It would be good to hear from someone who has actually done what you are talking about or at least someone who harvests their own wood.

Take care;
Jim

Hi Housewritght and Jim,

Thank you for your answers. I already have a lot where I am planning to build a cabin and a a few rental cabins. Its a water front lot on the Saint Lawrence River . It has good frontage on the water, more than 800 feet, but absolutely no timber for post and beam building. The lot I am interested in buying belongs to a guy who has a portable sawmill and used to harvest timber to sell. He logged selectively, but still plenty of timber on the land. Its about 1 KM from my lot. I finally have a SUV will that let me haul firewood, so my current it will be useful for that. I would like to selectively harvest timber and develop a mountain biking trail as a an extra attraction for my retirement cabin rental project.

Inspecting timber is new to me, is this always done even in the country side? Can't someone simply harvest and build? Its not something that can be settled with a case of beer or a good bottle of Scotch?

Take care,

Serge

I have not had timbers graded by a official grader in 18 years. Still learning, though. Living off the beaten path way down east Maine. This also means I have not had to bribe anyone.

Good, I think I should be able to do the same.