Thread: Timber Agent/s Needed for Sawn Wood from Farm Grown Trees.

Originally Posted by Bob Whitworth

I have just recently paid the money to purchase a European sliding table mobile sawmill to cut the timber growing here on my farm.The timber that I grow is mostly Hoop Pine, but also Gympie Messmate, Qld. Maple, Silver Ash, Red Cedar and of course Camphor Laurel. As well as that, I also grow quite a range of other mostly rainforest species.

I’m now obviously looking for orders for sales. Because I’m just starting off, I am feeling my way about how to go about it. At the moment, I don’t really have anywhere to store the sawn wood so I would definitely prefer to sell sawn whole trees or at least logs into the requested dimensions. As well as that, I am also looking for an agent or more likely, several agents. One of the problems is that even with just one species such as my most abundant species, HP, some of the trees are quite large up to 50cms diameter and all of the trees have been pruned. I hope I can supply a little of wide [12 inches/30cms] knot free boards to about 24 feet. I also though intend to saw the logs to a small end diameter. How small I go depends on how well the logs saw up and most importantly, finding a market for small dimension wood. These smaller boards could be turned into tongue and groove, mouldings, or some sort of industrial wood such as boxes and pallets. I also think that the agent could make something of the fact that the wood has the highest environmental criteria as it has all been grown on degraded farm land. In the beginning I am also a bit reluctant to commitment myself to a certain volume each week but it should be at least several cubic meters.

I’m located near Gympie. An agent close by is probably a better idea but not essential especially for the more valuable wood.

Many thanks Bob.

Well done Bob...you are an inspiration to many....don't forget,if there is too much tension in some of the logs,then mill them in shorter log increments as this will help keep the boards a llittle straighter off the saw

Thanks Mapleman. Yes, I have grown all these trees and pruned them and now is the time to try and make some money and to prove that growing trees on farms is a viable business. My neighbour has a Lucas Mill and I often help him. Yes, there certainly are problems with some of the Eucalyptus trees with tension wood and faults but the Hoop Pine that we have sawn have been very good. He by the way, is the director of Private Forestry South Qld. How is that for good circumstances!

G'day Bob, I can't help with your request, but I'll echo Mapleman's comments: great to see degraded land being used for high-end product.

I'd say you might have a very valuable contribution to this thread, which is discussing that. It wasn't the original theme of the thread, but it's certainly very related, and very relevant.

Btw, are you wanting to sell the timber as green, needs to be dried, or sold dried? You're not too far from Brissie so perhaps you could sell it direct to the end users for better coin (if it's dry)? There's a helluva lot of timber sold through this forum, apart from anything else. Get a simple website (they are not hard) and get the word out - a bit of cold calling to Architects, Builders, Joiners, Cabinet Makers etc. Cold calling for some industries is loathsome, but you've got a product that people want to hear about, and that makes all the difference.

As soon as you introduce an agent you lose profit potential, increased headaches, and loss of control.

HTH
Brett

Brett,
Thanks as well. At the moment, most of the wood would have to be sold green. This is normal for hardwoods but not so common for HP and rainforest species because I just don’t have anywhere to dry it out. It is called, green off the saw wood. In the beginning, I will just have to find my way but I am open to all suggestions. I have collected a pile of logs and I will need to find a buyer for these initially. I also like the idea to get an internet site but have to have an idea of products and prices and need a few good boards and logs to photograph

Originally Posted by Bob Whitworth

Brett,
Thanks as well. At the moment, most of the wood would have to be sold green. ... because I just don’t have anywhere to dry it out.

I have to ask why?

In my travels I've seen lots of wood quitely air drying neatly stickered in a stack, somethime 12 ft tall, with a sheet or two of gal iron on the top to keep the rain off.

Ian,
Yes, I have certainly seen it and I have done some air drying myself but it is not really a good method as the wood is too subject to bad wet weather like we are having now. I'm sure that some blue stain would get into the wood. It can be quite difficult even in drying weather to prevent this. To do this on a regular basis, I would need to have a buyer who didn't mind some blue stain.

Congrats Bob, all great stuphph!!!

Have you thought about a solar kiln for drying??

Originally Posted by artme

Congrats Bob, all great stuphph!!!

Have you thought about a solar kiln for drying??

That could solve Bobs dilemma Artme..

Yes, as soon as I can afford it and work out the best place to put it, I will be making a solar kiln but by the time I purchase the sawmill, buy a bigger tractor to power it and build a shed to house it all, I'll be short on cash so I need to make some money as soon as I can. A few year ago, I got some plans to build a solar kiln. Some people just up the road also have a kiln although I haven't seen it. Hoop Pine can dry out quite quickly if the conditions are good but it is subject to blue stain if the drying process is a bit slow.

Originally Posted by Bob Whitworth

Yes, as soon as I can afford it and work out the best place to put it, I will be making a solar kiln but by the time I purchase the sawmill, buy a bigger tractor to power it and build a shed to house it all, I'll be short on cash so I need to make some money as soon as I can. A few year ago, I got some plans to build a solar kiln. Some people just up the road also have a kiln although I haven't seen it. Hoop Pine can dry out quite quickly if the conditions are good but it is subject to blue stain if the drying process is a bit slow.

Doesn't take long for the money to run out Bob..particularly when you have to purchase all the items mentioned..good luck with the kiln,you are obviously a man on a mission..again,hope the project does well..would be happy to travel to gympie and give you a hand milling if need be...Cheers Chris

Chris,
I’m sure on a mission, a life long mission! I planted the oldest trees here now 38 years ago and I either do it now with just enough money or put it off and become too, [that too cruel word I have heard too often] old old, old. I’m out to prove a point that growing trees on farms is viable and even a wonderful job as the trees just keep growing if looked after correctly and wood is a wonderful product. Either growing the trees has just been a therapy for me and the land or I can actually make some money and this is the best way I can think of doing it. Yes, I appreciate all the positive comments. Seeing the mill operate on utube, it sure looks good and is exactly what I need. Yes, if anyone in about 2 months or so wants to be lumberjack for the day, call in and I’m sure we can have some boyish fun!

Originally Posted by Bob Whitworth

Chris,
I’m sure on a mission, a life long mission! I planted the oldest trees here now 38 years ago and I either do it now with just enough money or put it off and become too, [that too cruel word I have heard too often] old old, old. I’m out to prove a point that growing trees on farms is viable and even a wonderful job as the trees just keep growing if looked after correctly and wood is a wonderful product. Either growing the trees has just been a therapy for me and the land or I can actually make some money and this is the best way I can think of doing it. Yes, I appreciate all the positive comments. Seeing the mill operate on utube, it sure looks good and is exactly what I need. Yes, if anyone in about 2 months or so wants to be lumberjack for the day, call in and I’m sure we can have some boyish fun!

Let me know when we can come and help you out Bob...you should be bloody proud of yourself...can't sing your praises loud enough...your efforts are simply outstanding clap3: