Thread: Can you sell a tree from your backyard? I have a spotted gum, that may have to go.

Originally Posted by Apples

I have a large spotted gum in the yard that might have to be cut down in the future as it is in the way of a planned house extension. Seems like
such a shame to just cut it down and take it to the dump. Will any sawmills be interested in trees like this?

Peter
Qld, Toowoomba

Hello Peter
No one else has replied, so I thought I had better put in my Two cents.

No, a sawmill would not be interested. A portable mill may be interested, but only if is cut down and he gets the timber for free or a trade of timber.

In my experience, you will only be able to give it away, eg get in contact with a woodturning club in your area

I could be wrong, and hopefully some will want it
Cheers
Willy

Peter the short answer from me as a sawmiller is NO. Why KIDS, your kids, neighbours kid's everybody's kid's we all were kid's once and they love belting nails into BACKYARD TREES equals hourly rate plus $65 per tip replaced and you'll still have to get a treeloper in to get tree on ground it is a shame i agree but you'll still have 2 years worth of firewood at least

cheers baz

Provided you have Council permit to rmove the tree, you are quite entitled to sell it, should you be able to find a buyer. As others have said, there is limited call for one off backyard trees. A local lad with a Lucas (or similar) would be your best bet and it would very much depend on quality and access for it to be a worthwhile proposition.

Yeah pretty much what I was thinking guys. But just thought I would ask.

Peter

The guys have pretty much nailed it. Probably a poor choice of words there as it is why (one reason anyway) sawmills are never interested in back yard trees.

Just out of interest what size is it? A diameter at chest height is the normal measurement given and some estimation of height (while it is standing) or length (once on the ground) to the first branches. The concept of a big tree varies from person to person.

It may still be worth chasing up a sawmiller (portable) as if it is a sizeable tree there will be a lot of material to send to the dump otherwise. In a domestic situation tree removal can be quite expensive.


Regards
Paul

Don't think I can get my arms all the way round it. Will take a picture in daylight tomorrow and post it here.

Originally Posted by Apples

Don't think I can get my arms all the way round it. Will take a picture in daylight tomorrow and post it here.

Sounds a reasonable size..nails are always a problem with yard trees..thankfully they are normally not too far up the trunk.....otherwise it is a sought after species..worth milling i'd reckon....is it a healthy looking tree?

Unless it was an exotic species (like maybe a nut tree) it would be most unlikely for me to buy a tree from a backyard. I'd either slab it up at an hourly rate or milling it for some (or all) of the timber.

Tree.jpg