Can you give me an estimate of the minimum diameter that a walnut tree should be before its mature enough to be cut?

Hi Chuck,

As with most questions, I can offer you multiple answers and suggestions.

First, let me show you a little comparison that should peak your financial interest!

Example 1: 14" DBH black walnut tree with one 16-ft log contains approx. 50 board feet (Doyle Tree Scale). 50 board feet multiplied by $1.00/ft stumpage value = $50.

Example 2: 18" DBH black walnut tree with one 16-ft log contains approx. 100 board feet. 100 board feet multiplied by $1.00/ft stumpage value = $100.

Example 3: 24" DHB black walnut tree with one 16-ft log contains approx. 220 board feet. 220 board feet multiplied by $1.00/ft stumpage value = $220.

*** Black walnut can add 4-inches of diameter growth every 10-12 years on deep, fertile, well-drained soil***

Maturity, in regards to timber, comes in two forms: financial maturity and biological maturity. Financial maturity comes first in the life span of tree, followed by biological maturity second. As best explained by Mills and Calahan (1993), financial maturity is that point in the life of the tree beyond which the expected value increase no longer equals or exceeds the net return that would be obtained if the tree were sold and the cash value were invested elsewhere. In contrast, the biological maturity of a tree or a stand of trees occurs when the tree or stand achieves maximum merchantable volume. Financial maturity differs from biological maturity by imposing economic and business management constraints on the production process (Mills and Callahan, 1993).

Additional Tips: Grow your black walnut trees to a "minimum" of 24-26” DBH for veneer markets. The great thing about veneer quality trees is typically the price per board foot increases as the diameter and log length of the tree increases. Thus, a 22-inch DBH black walnut tree with one 8-foot veneer log may bring $510 (170 board feet x $3.00/ft), whereas a 26-inch DBH black walnut tree with one 8-foot veneer log may command $1300 (260 board feet x $5.00/ft). The moral of the story with black walnut – grow’em big, grow’em tall, grow’em straight, grow’em with minimal defect!

Most of the sawmill owners I have talked to, including veneer buyers, do not want logs smaller than 12-14" in diameter at the small end.

As always, I hope this forum helped you out!

What would a black walnut tree with a diameter of 5 ft value at? It does not split off until 15 ft up the tree?

Josh:

I don't appraise or value individual trees via this forum as it is impossible to estimate value without an on-site visual inspection.

Please contact a local forester in Indiana if you need to appraise an individual tree.

Hi there. I was wondering by forestry standards is there a procedure they use for measuring the diameter? Or a formula? I have some trees that need to go n have baby ones already started to replace...but if it's not worth a gal of gas, I won't waste anyone's time w it. Thank you for your info and time!!

Hi Stacy:

Yes, foresters measure tree diameter at 4.5 feet above ground line. DBH is always measured on the uphill side of trees located on sloped terrain. An easy way to derive DBH is to measure the circumference of a tree and then divide by Pi (3.14).

Try to grow your walnut trees to at least 22-26 inches in diameter -- harvesting trees smaller than these thresholds is very unwise, unless of course the trees are severely damaged (butt rot, basal damage, or severe crown damage).

Black walnut trees > 24 inches in diameter will generate greater revenue, whereas black walnut trees > 28 inches definitely generate and command premium prices!

Thank you very much for your concise and well constructed report on Walnut Tree Harvesting. It was very helpful for me and a Neighbor, who was having his property of Walnut Trees, most over 100 years old. I once worked for a Timber Co, "Big Bear", and many years for "Longview Fibre" and had all this Harvesting info in my Mind, years ago. Need I say more? This takes me back to my most favorite memories of my life. Thank you, again,

Lee

We cut a big black walnut tree down last week and the wood is absolutely beautiful inside. Unfortunately we had it cut to 18" or a little longer. Is there any market for these beautiful logs at that short of a length? It was a healthy and big tree. Thanks for your help.

Hi Chris:

The only market you really have for 18-inch long walnut logs is local woodturners, woodworkers, and craftsmen. Obviously, the tree would have been more useful if bucked to a longer length, but you already knew that. Try conducting a Web search for local woodworkers or woodturners...

I have around 14 acres with walnut tree on it. I have a problem with beavers they have dam up the creek and land stays flooded during the rainy season. Plus the neighbors cows get on the land not sure if that is a big problem. There are several trees 18-22 inches diameters. Also there are several that fell in the creek due to erosion. Just wonder if those tree are any good. One other thing the figures for the board foot only $1 seems a little low. Any suggestions.

Hi John:

An occasional loose cow in a mature stand of black walnut trees is not a big issue; however, the biggest problem w/ cattle when it comes to timber is soil compaction.

The black walnut trees that fell into the creek should still be fine for selling or milling into lumber.

For additional questions you may have about marketing, I would strongly suggest you contact your local state forestry agency in Florida:

Florida Forest Service: https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/For-Landowners

Best of luck!