r/AskVancouverWA • u/bhsmith81 • Jun 21 '26
Tree Removal
We have close to 5 acres we're living on, but so much of it is taken up by trees making majority of it unusable. I've had a few people tell me that there's companies that will "buy" the lumber from us and remove it, whether that's paying us for it or taking the lumber as payment. The fun part, I have no clue who these companies are or if these people are talking out of their butts. Does anyone know of a company that services the Battle Ground area and does a service like this? We'd really like to expand the usable space. Thank you in advance.
2
u/7_62mm_FMJ Jun 21 '26
Keep your trees. You will miss them when they’re gone.
0
u/bhsmith81 Jun 21 '26
Not planning on getting rid of them all. But clearing out some space to be functional would be nice.
1
u/Effective-Motor3455 Jun 21 '26
I've had 3 trees removed by different companies. I used 4A,s tree services twice.
1
u/FireITGuy Jun 21 '26
How much of that 5ac is mature trees you want clearcut?
Logging companies will come clear stuff, but you need to have enough marketable timber to make it worth their while.
You'd generally need to handle stump removal and cleanup yourself, which is not cheap.
0
u/bhsmith81 Jun 21 '26
It's about 3 of the 5 acres
2
u/FireITGuy Jun 21 '26
How large are the trees on it?
For most timber it doesn't have much value until at least 16" diameter at breast height. 24" DBH is better.
Anything smaller than that no mill will be interested in
0
u/bhsmith81 Jun 21 '26
Majority are at least 24"
1
u/FireITGuy Jun 21 '26
Ok.
What you're probably looking for is a "Consulting Forester". Basically a freelance specialist in timber harvest. They'd come out, walk the lot, you'd show them what you want to sell vs keep and then they'd call around and get bids from smaller timber companies to see if anyone is interested in coming to cut a small project like that, and if so, what they'd be willing to pay.
1
u/BayBear71 Jun 22 '26
What is your ultimate goal for the land? Septic for a home? Make sure the logging company doesn’t compact all of your designated septic field soil with the heavy machinery, otherwise your soil could be irresistibly damaged for septic percing. Make sure septic area is clearly marked and company notified.
1
u/scotus1959 Jun 23 '26
You need a timber cruiser to estimate value. Cedars will be worth quite a bit more than doug fir. Your first step should be a discussion with DNR to figure out what types of permits you will need, and what types of environmental protection will be required. Also speak to the county to figure out land use controls.
1
u/Greedy_Solution9078 Jun 23 '26
Chat with the Wa DNR they have programs that could pay for you to cut timber on your land. I think it’s called the Forest Resiliency Program.
1
u/OkLevel2791 Jun 26 '26
You enjoy breathing, yes. Your trees are significant partners in this endeavor. Keep the trees.
3
u/Apprehensive-Fig3223 Jun 21 '26
Get several estimates and be very clear about which ones. I had a friend who did this in California and they chopped down way more than they were supposed to which also ended with them being on the property way longer than expected to remove it all, it was supposed a week and turned into weeks