Penn-Sylvan, America’s leading manufacturer of 3/4 lumber, is actively buying standing timber in Pennsylvania and New York. With decades of experience sourcing, harvesting, and processing hardwood timber from private properties in the region, Penn-Sylvan has perfected the process of quoting standing timber and provides free assessments for properties over ten acres. As a family-owned and operated business, we pride ourselves on respecting your property when it comes to harvesting standing timber and promise to leave your land to your satisfaction.
This article will provide you with detailed information on where Penn-Sylvan is looking to purchase standing timber, the common hardwood species in high demand, and answers all the frequently asked questions first-time customers may have when opening up their property to lumber harvesting. If you have any additional questions or concerns not answered here, please message our team through the contact form below or call us during regular business hours at (814) 694-2311.
Where Is Penn-Sylvan Looking to Buy Standing Timber?
Penn-Sylvan is headquartered in northwest Pennsylvania close to the state lines of New York and Ohio and on the border of the Allegheny National Forest. This premier location provides ready access to some of the most valuable and pristine hardwood forests in the country. Our experienced team of lumber harvesting professionals will readily travel within a roughly 65-mile radius of our corporate office and may consider additional opportunities that fall outside this radius depending on property size. The typical states, counties, cities, and towns we’ve serviced in our nearly three decades of experience are listed below.
We Are Looking to Buy Standing Timber Here:
- New York State
- Counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, & Steuben
- Cities/Towns: Dunkirk, Ellicottville, Fredonia, Jamestown, Lakewood, Mayville, Olean, Randolph, Ripley, Salamanca, Silver Creek, & Westfield
- Pennsylvania
- Counties: Armstrong, Butler, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango, & Warren
- Cities/Towns: Bradford, Clarion, Corry, Coudersport, DuBois, Erie, Girard, Grove City, McKean, Meadville, Oil City, Russell, Saegertown, Spartansburg, Tidioute, Tionesta, Titusville, Union City, Warren, & Youngsville
What Tree Species Are in High Demand?
The hardwood forests of Pennsylvania and New York are home to the largest concentration of highly desirable tree species in North America. The trees in this area are widely renowned for their consistent color, tight grain configuration, and their versatility in a wide variety of woodworking applications. These aesthetic qualities make the standing timber in the region a highly sought-after material for applications in furniture, construction, architectural, and flooring industries. With our kiln-dried lumber destined for customers across the globe, Penn-Sylvan is interested in quoting and buying standing timber in PA and NY of the tree species named below.
- Ash
- Beech
- Black Cherry
- Cherry
- Hard Maple
- Hickory
- Poplar
- Red Oak
- Soft Maple
- Walnut
- White Oak
What Factors Influence a Quote for Buying Standing Timber?
When a representative from Penn-Sylvan visits your property to provide a quote for standing timber, a common term you’ll hear is “stumpage” or the “stumpage price.” This term refers to the actual price that Penn-Sylvan will offer the customer for their trees as they “stand on the stump.” While not a perfect solution, there is a simplified mathematical formula to determine the stumpage price.
Stumpage = mill delivered price – (cutting + skidding + loading + hauling + other)
Naturally, the different tree species and concentration of these trees on your property will also greatly impact the final quote price for standing timber. The PennState Extension’s recently updated 3Q Timber Market Report for 2024 shows how stumpage prices vary for different species as reported by timber or logging companies like Penn-Sylvan. Black cherry remains the most valuable hardwood found in the area, but the stumpage price fluctuates throughout the year and has dropped below $500 or surged above $800. The prices of other hardwood species like white oak, northern red oak, and hard maple have remained more consistent in recent quarters, with a typical price between $400 and $600. Considering the many variables that factor into a final quote, the only true way to understand the value of the standing timber on your property is to contact the experienced team at Penn-Sylvan and have them do an exhaustive analysis of your property.
FAQs About Buying Standing Timber in PA & NY
- Do you offer free assessments for standing timber in PA & NY?
- Yes! Penn-Sylvan will provide free assessments to any property over 10 acres in size provided it falls within our typical 65-mile radius service range.
- What does it mean to be Verified Sustainable & Legal by the Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers?
- As a member of the Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Penn-Sylvan is recognized as Appalachian Hardwood Verified Sustainable. This means all lumber and standing timber sourced from the region are growing 2.4x the rate of harvest and mortality combined. Penn-Sylvan is committed to sustainable harvesting practices and regrowing the regional forests is essential to our success.
- Does Penn-Sylvan operate during deer hunting season?
- No, Penn-Sylvan will not quote properties or harvest standing timber during active hunting seasons in PA or NY. This is a best practice to keep our employees safe and to prevent disturbing regional hunters or wildlife.
- What type of impact will this process have on my property?
- Our entire process of harvesting standing timber is to leave a minimal impact on your property. When we provide our initial assessment, our team will provide insight into the equipment required for harvesting, a prospective work time frame, and how we can reclaim the property to the landowner’s satisfaction.
- How does Penn-Sylvan offer the best prices on standing timber in PA & NY?
- When property owners decide to work with Penn-Sylvan to harvest standing timber on their land they are guaranteed to receive industry-leading stumpage prices. As both a harvesting and processing company, there is no “middle-man” in our process and all lumber goes directly to the mill. By removing this added step, Penn-Sylvan can offer property owners the best prices on standing timber
- Are there any other important things for me to know about Penn-Sylvan’s process for purchasing and harvesting standing timber on my property?
- Full Payment Before any Timber is Removed
- Selective and Shelterwood Harvests / Timber Stand Improvement
- Skidding with Horses or Modern Equipment
- Certificates of Full Insurance Coverage
- A Long List of Satisfied Landowner References
- Finder’s Fees for Referrals to Timber That We Purchase
- Our Firm Commitment to Landowner Satisfaction is Priority #1
