Timber Value Calculator
Timber sells at a 'stumpage' price — what a buyer pays for the trees still standing — quoted per 1,000 board feet (MBF). Enter the board-foot volume in your logs or stand and a local stumpage price to estimate the value, then add your acreage to see value per acre.
Your measurements
Total volume — estimate it with the Doyle log scale or board-foot calculator.
Price per 1,000 board feet for your species and region.
Breakdown
- Volume
- 5 MBF(5,000 bd ft)
- Stumpage price
- $400.00 / MBF
Estimated timber value
$2,000.00
5 MBF × $400.00/MBF
Estimates only. Verify against your supplier's coverage figures before ordering.
The formula
Timber value = Board feet ÷ 1,000 × Stumpage price per MBF
Example: 5,000 board feet at $400 per MBF = (5,000 ÷ 1,000) × $400 = $2,000.
How it works
- 1Estimate the board-foot volume in your logs (the Doyle log scale calculator does this from diameter and length).
- 2Divide board feet by 1,000 to get thousand-board-feet (MBF).
- 3Multiply by the stumpage price per MBF for your species, grade and region.
- 4Enter acreage to convert the total into value and volume per acre.
Frequently asked questions
What is a stumpage price?
Stumpage is the price a buyer pays for standing timber — the trees before they're cut — usually quoted per 1,000 board feet (MBF), or per ton for pulpwood. It varies widely by species, log grade, volume per acre and how easily a logger can reach the timber.
How much is an acre of timber worth?
Most woodlots bring roughly $500–$2,000 per acre of standing timber, but high-grade hardwood (walnut, white-oak veneer) can be worth far more and low-grade pulpwood much less. Volume per acre and species matter more than acreage alone.
Should I get a forester before selling?
For any sale beyond a few trees, a consulting forester cruises the stand, marks the timber and runs a competitive bid. Their fee is usually more than offset by higher bids and protection from a poor harvest.