View Messages

Return to All About Black Walnut

Costs

[Post a Follow Up] [Post to this category]
From: John West City: Lake Bluff, ID
1) If land was ONLY to be used to cultivate black walnut trees (recreation, utilities, location, etc were irrelevant), what would the be a conservative price range per acre 2) Do studies show a certain 'tipping point' to achieve economies of scale for hardwood plantations? I.e. the most profitable plantations are minimum 100 acres to efficiently spread the cost of forestry professionals, treatments, pruning, etc
	Extension Message From: Jay Hayek Extension Specialist, Forestry Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences jhayek@illinois.edu
The value of bare land or crop land varies significantly in Illinois -- anywhere from $1500/acre to $12,000+/acre. The "initial" cost to plant barefoot seedlings on such land adds another $400-800/acre. An individual is not going to get rich planting black walnut trees; however, your children or grandchildren may likely benefit finanically. I wouldn't consider anything less than 15 acres as a legitimate financial investment for growing quality hardwood timber for future harvest as sawlogs and veneer.
[Post a Follow Up] [Post to this category]