Wilkes County forests include highly diverse forest ecosystems, from planted loblolly pine in the eastern part of the county to the upland oak stands at the higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The forest ecosystem in the state's mountains includes over one hundred and fifty overstory tree species, making it one of the most diverse forest ecosystems in the world.

The county's total forestland is approximately 342,314 acres, 71% of the total land area. Wilkes County is the sixth largest county in NC in terms of forestland. Most of the timberland is owned by private landowners, which supplies timber for a portion of the state’s overall industrial output.

Because of its diverse forest ecosystem, Wilkes County provides a multitude of hardwood and pine species utilized for various forest products. You may own a tract of this valuable natural resource and are thinking of selling your timber but are unsure of how to begin the process.

Selling Timber In Wilkes County, NC

Timber is sold in Wilkes County all the time. Unfortunately, many landowners do not receive the market price for the timber, or the timber is not cut according to their objectives. Generally, markets are strong in the region for a variety of timber species, but there are many factors that should be addressed before you decide to sell your timber in Wilkes County.

Consider These Questions Before Selling Timber In Wilkes

• How is timber bought and sold?
• What trees should I sell, and why?
• How soon must I market them?
• Are property and cutting boundaries well-marked?
• What is the timber volume? (Which of three “log rules”—Doyle, Scribner, or International—will be used to estimate the board-foot content of trees?)
• What is the growth rate?
• What is the fair market value of my timber?
• What is the current timber market price trend?
• Are the trees financially mature?
• Who and where are the appropriate timber buyers?
• What sales method should I use?
• Do I know my basis?
• How will the income be taxed?
• How should I reforest harvested areas?
• How can I get advice from a professional?

As you can see, there are many questions that should be addressed before selling your timber in Wilkes, but you do not need to answer them yourself.

Seek The Advice Of A Professional Forester Before Selling Timber In Wilkes

You need not sell timber frequently to sell it successfully, but marketing can be mysterious and complex. Unfortunately, there is no single publication that will make you an expert timber seller. But there are questions you should ask and answers you should know before selling your timber.

Most landowners will find that consulting forester services are needed and beneficial. We recommend obtaining at least three bids on a clearly defined timber boundary for those who feel confident dealing directly with timber buyers. Only sell timber with a written timber sale agreement.

A forester can assist you in some of the following ways.

• A forester can cruise can appraise your timber for you
• A forester can prepare a pre-harvest plan for your tract that meets your objectives and addresses the environmental challenges of the timber harvest
• A forester can advise on reforestation and multiple resource management opportunities
• A forester can calculate the timber basis for the tract to help with tax liability
• A forest can market the timber for you to get the most for your timber
• A forester can help oversee the logging operation to ensure compliance with state environmental practices related to forest management

Church And Church Lumber Company Wilkes, NC

Church and Church Lumber Company, located in Wilkes County, NC, procures timber throughout the southern Appalachians to produce timber to meet the industry demands for timber products.

Church and Church Lumber Company is a major buyer of timber products from private land in Wilkes, NC. This income provides income to landowners and jobs throughout the state and can fund proper land management activities for various natural resources.

Church and Church, a family-owned company, serves much of North Carolina and the neighboring areas. We offer various services, from logging and forest management to direct lumber sales.

You have unique desires and needs when managing your forest. We approach serving you as an opportunity to understand and meet your objectives. 

We work hard to get the results you want. We provide customized forest management solutions with transparency, information, advice, and guidance. We want you to be informed and aware of the options for accomplishing your forest management objectives.

We have a staff of professional foresters and accredited, trained logging professionals to provide you with the best service.

Select Hardwoods markets the lumber produced by the Church & Church Lumber Company Sawmill to our customers worldwide. We kiln dry premier Appalachian hardwoods for millwork, furniture, flooring, and other high-end applications throughout the United States and worldwide.

We specialize in producing high-quality hardwood products procured from across the Appalachians, which is known for its abundant hardwood timber. We supply hardwood species such as white oak, red oak, hickory, ash, beech, cherry, walnut, and yellow poplar in various dimensions and grades to fit your needs.

Contact Church & Church today for more information about how we can help you better manage your forest land.