How to process a hickory tree for $

[PotOfTea]

My parents have this big hickory tree in their backyard (they have a huge backyard) and have told me to take it. I'm thinking that I can make something from the trunk. Maybe a nice table, chest, or anything. My friend offered me $75 for the log, but I think I can get at least $700 if I use it wisely. What do you think guys?

 

[GoldenRetrieverGuy]

Yes, you can definitely! It's one way to just chop off the tree and it's another to make something for yourself. If you sell the log to your friend, no offence but he's gonna get more than you will ever get. I'm pretty sure you're talented you can make something out of it!

 

[Kathryn Tate]

Pulping my land, trees 50-60' tall said about 100 loads, big, big Norway and white pine, how many cord approximately?

 

[SawDustInMyBeer]

Selling finished lumber or crafted stuff usually gets you more money than just selling the raw wood.

 

[McVicker55]

If I were you, I would hold onto it! Hickory's one of the toughest and most beautiful hardwoods out there. They're great for furniture, tool handles, even flooring. If the log's straight and has good diameter, you could easily mill out $500–$700 worth of lumber, especially for a custom table or chest. Just make sure it's properly dried. What kind of tools or shop setup do you have for working it?

 

[nawdlor]

$700+ is realistic if you mill it into slabs for a table or furniture because selling raw log cuts will net way less, so turning it into something finished or semi finished is where the real value is

 

[Steve Woodrow]

Hickory might be worth $.60 bf delivered to a sawmill. It is very prone to be eaten up by bugs if you mill it so take precautions.

 

[Steve Woodrow]

Pulping my land, trees 50-60' tall said about 100 loads, big, big Norway and white pine, how many cord approximately?

usually about 7 cords on a semi log trailer I think

 

[d'brew]

Hickory is really good. Has excellent strength and distinctive grain, which is why I like it for woodworking projects like solid furniture. But realistically, if you have the trunk properly milled into usable lumber (slabs or boards), the material value alone could easily reach and exceed the $700 mark, especially for a large piece suitable for a table or chest, as premium kiln-dried, rough-sawn hickory boards often sell for several dollars per board foot. You will need to factor in the cost of professional milling and the significant time required for air or kiln drying, but the final value of the cured lumber or a finished piece of furniture made from it will be much higher than its current value as a raw log.

 

[Alan]

Definitely making sure I grow a hickory tree after reading this post haha who doesn't want $700

Really good responses all round