TEXAS TIMBER PRICE TRENDS
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT?
Texas Timber Price Trends is a bi-monthly publication reporting average
prices paid for standing timber, commonly called the “stumpage price,” for the
two months listed in the report. Its purpose is to provide timely information
concerning timber market conditions in order to improve decision making and
foster fair transactions that benefit both buyer and seller and encourage
conservation of the timber resource. Market information is particularly
important to nonindustrial private landowners who are only infrequent
participants in this complex market.
WHERE DOES THE DATA COME FROM?
Average stumpage prices published in this report are calculated from
actual timber sales as reported by as many as 60 cooperators active in the East
Texas timber market. Reporters include forest product companies, logging
contractors, consulting foresters, non-industrial landowners, financial
institutions, and federal agencies. Research has shown that a diversity of
reporters tends to reduce bias and improve the reliability of the price estimates.
HOW ARE AVERAGE PRICES CALCULATED?
The calculation of average prices weighs each sale by the volume sold.
This is done to filter out the effect that the size of the sale has on the price paid,
thus providing a more consistent and meaningful average. The result is that the
average price reported is the average price paid per unit of volume, NOT per
the average timber sale.
The price per ton for each product category is calculated from the price
per ton as reported or using a specific conversion factor for each sale provided
by the reporters. When a specific conversion factor for each sale is not
available, an average conversion factor listed on page 8 is used instead.
Readers should note that volume to weight conversions vary depending on the
average diameter of the logs in the sale.
HOW CAN I USE THIS REPORT?
This report is intended to serve only as a guide to general price levels.
Individuals interested in selling timber can use this report to monitor market
trends and get a general idea of what their timber is worth. However, it should
not be used to judge the fair market value of a specific timber sale. The price
paid for a specific stand of timber will vary considerably due to such factors as:
size, species, and quality of timber; total volume and volume per acre; logging
conditions; distance to the mill; end product of manufacture; and current
demand and local competition for timber. Additionally, timber markets often
change rapidly and therefore past prices are not necessarily a reflection of
current market prices. We strongly recommend the use of a competitive bidding
process as the ultimate determinant of market price for any specific tract of
timber.
VOLUME CONVERSION FACTORS
A specific conversion factor for each sale reported by the reporters is used for
price calculations when available; otherwise, the following average conversion
factors are used:
Sawlogs MBF-International-1/4" X 0.74 = MBF-Doyle
MBF-Scribner X 0.78 = MBF-Doyle
MBF-USFS Scribner X 0.814 = MBF-Doyle
Pine - 8 Tons = 1 MBF-Doyle
Hardwood - 9 Tons = 1 MBF-Doyle
Pine Chip-N-Saw: 1 Cord = 2.625 tons
Pulpwood Pine - 2.7 Tons = 1 Cord
Hardwood - 2.8 Tons = 1 Cord
Pine - 81 Cubic Feet = 1 Cord
Hardwood - 80 Cubic Feet = 1 Cord
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Texas Timber Price Trends is a publication of the Texas Forest Service
and is available at $2 per copy from your local TFS office, or through an annual
mail subscription of $10 per year. To subscribe, please send your request and
check or money order (payable to "Texas Forest Service") to:
Attn: Texas Timber Price Trends
Texas Forest Service
301 Tarrow Suite 364
College Station, TX 77840-7896
This publication is also available free of charge on the Texas Forest
Service website:
http://teaxasforestservice.tamu.edu/forest/economics/default.asp
WANT TO BE A REPORTER?
If you are active in the East Texas timber market, please consider
becoming a cooperating price reporter. You’ll receive report forms bi-monthly
with a self-return envelope. In addition, you’ll receive a complimentary
subscription to the report in exchange for your price information. To sign up,
contact the Texas Forest Service at the above address.
The Texas Forest Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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