How to Estimate Standing Timber Value
Estimated value = Volume (in MBF, thousand board feet) × Price per MBF (by species and local market).
Standing timber volume is traditionally measured using a log rule (Doyle, Scribner, or International 1/4” are the most common in North America), which estimates usable board feet in a log based on its diameter and length — professional foresters use these rules (often via a “cruise,” a systematic sample survey of a timber stand) to produce a defensible volume estimate. This calculator’s volume input is a planning-stage approximation; an actual timber sale should be based on a forester’s cruise, not a homeowner’s rough estimate, since even a small percentage difference in estimated volume or price can represent thousands of dollars on a meaningful stand of timber.
Why hire a consulting forester before selling timber? A forester typically: cruises (surveys) your stand for an accurate volume and grade estimate, knows current local mill prices and demand, can competitively bid your timber to multiple buyers rather than accepting the first offer, and can advise on cutting practices that protect the value of your remaining stand for future harvests. Forester fees are usually a small percentage of sale value and are widely reported to more than pay for themselves through better pricing and terms.
Timber Value and Tax Basis
If you’re calculating timber value for tax purposes (cost basis on a timber sale, casualty loss, or estate valuation), this is a distinct calculation from market sale value — it typically requires establishing your original cost basis in the timber (often via a retroactive timber cruise and growth calculation back to your purchase or inheritance date) and consulting a tax professional or forester experienced in timber tax matters, since this affects your capital gains treatment on the sale. This calculator does not calculate tax basis — consult a CPA or timber tax specialist for that figure.
Timber Beam Sizing (Structural, Planning Only)
Timber (heavy timber post-and-beam, glulam, or engineered wood) beam sizing follows the same principle as steel beam sizing: it depends on span, actual load, wood species and grade, and moisture content — and like steel, must be calculated by a structural engineer for any load-bearing application. A widely used rough planning ratio for solid timber beams is approximately depth ≈ span ÷ 15 to span ÷ 20 depending on species and load, somewhat deeper than the equivalent steel beam ratio since wood has lower strength-to-size ratio than steel — again, this is a rough starting figure for early planning conversations, not an engineering calculation.
Timber Frame Building Cost
| Structure type | Typical cost per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Post-and-beam frame only (structural shell, unenclosed) | $30–$60 |
| Full timber frame home (frame + enclosure, standard finish) | $200–$400+ |
| Timber frame addition/extension | $250–$450 (higher per-sq-ft than new whole-home builds due to tie-in complexity) |
Timber frame construction (exposed structural wood joinery, often without interior drywall covering the frame) typically costs more than conventional stick-frame construction due to the labor-intensive joinery and larger timber material cost, but is valued for its exposed structural aesthetic and durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the value of standing timber?
Multiply your estimated volume in thousand board feet (MBF) by the current price per MBF for your timber’s species and local market. This is only a rough planning estimate — an actual sale should be based on a professional forester’s cruise (survey), since species, grade, and local demand swing pricing significantly.
How do you calculate basis for timber sales?
Timber cost basis for tax purposes is a distinct calculation from market sale value, typically requiring your original purchase/inheritance value allocated to the timber component and often a retroactive volume/growth calculation — consult a CPA or forester experienced in timber taxation rather than relying on a general estimate.
Should I hire a forester before selling my timber?
Generally yes for any meaningful stand — a consulting forester provides an accurate volume and grade cruise, knows current local mill pricing, can competitively bid your timber to multiple buyers, and their fee is typically a small percentage of sale value that’s usually offset by better final pricing.
What is a timber cruise?
A timber cruise is a systematic, sampled survey of a stand of standing timber to estimate its total volume and quality/grade, performed by a professional forester — it’s the standard basis for an accurate timber sale value, as opposed to a rough visual estimate.
How do I calculate a timber beam size?
Like steel beam sizing, timber beam size depends on span, actual load, wood species and grade, and moisture content, and must be calculated by a structural engineer for load-bearing use. A rough planning ratio (not an engineering method) is roughly depth = span ÷ 15 to span ÷ 20.
How much does a timber frame home cost?
A full timber frame home (structural frame plus enclosure and standard finishes) typically costs $200–$400+ per square foot, higher than conventional stick-frame construction due to labor-intensive joinery and heavier timber material costs.
How much does a timber frame extension cost?
Timber frame additions and extensions often run $250–$450 per square foot — higher per square foot than a new whole-home build, largely due to the complexity of tying the new frame into an existing structure.
How do I calculate timber volume in board feet?
Standing timber volume is estimated using a log rule (Doyle, Scribner, or International 1/4” are the most common), which converts a log’s diameter and length into estimated usable board feet — professional foresters apply these during a timber cruise for an accurate figure.
What’s the difference between timber value and timber price per board foot?
Price per board foot (or per MBF) is the market rate for a given species and grade; timber value is that price multiplied by your actual estimated volume — both figures fluctuate with local mill demand and market conditions, so get a current quote rather than relying on a historical figure.
Can I use this calculator to actually sell my timber?
No — treat this as a rough starting estimate only. An actual timber sale should be based on a professional forester’s cruise and competitive bidding process, which typically results in meaningfully better terms than a self-estimated sale.