Hardwood Lumber Grades & NHLA Grading Rules
![Stacked rows of harvested timber at Buskirk Lumber's Sawmill in Freeport, MI.](https://www.buskirklumber.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Hardwood-Lumber-1024x574.jpg)
Why do they matter to you and your woodlot? Did you know that your hardwood trees have grades? These grades are a classification that reflect the overall quality and intended use of timber. This grading system is based on established industry standards that take into account knot size and frequency, slope of grain, and any […]
Forest Management Planning for Landowners
![Alt text: A sunny hardwood forest that requires forest management planning.](https://www.buskirklumber.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Forest-management-planning-1024x683.jpg)
Owning a large forested property is quite literally the only investment where money grows on trees. That’s why it’s important to protect that investment with a forest management plan. Keep your forest healthy and thriving so that you can continue to profit from your woodlot later down the line. What is a Forest Management Plan? […]
What is Thinning in Forestry?
![](https://www.buskirklumber.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Buskirk-Lumber_Standing-Timber-Buyers-684x1024.webp)
Michigan is one of the country’s most densely forested states, and proper forest management is key to keeping its expansive woodlots healthy and thriving. Thinning is one sustainable forestry practice recommended to many landowners to improve their existing forest stands. Forests are naturally thick and spaced closely together: and this density means that the trees […]
A Guide to Standing Oak Timber: Identification & Harvesting From Your Woodlot in Michigan
![Leaves on an oak tree from the white oak family.](https://www.buskirklumber.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/oak-standing-timber-branch-1024x682.webp)
If you own a large acreage in Michigan, chances are that many of the hardwoods on your properties are oak. With over 600 different species, 10 of which are native to Michigan, oaks are one of the most abundant hardwoods in the region. Identifying Oak Tree Species While there are many different oak species native […]
Why Winter May Be The Ideal Time for Your Timber Harvest
![](https://www.buskirklumber.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/winter-timber-harvest-1024x576.webp)
Looking for the best time to harvest trees from your woodlot? The winter months are one of the best times for harvesting sustainably while reducing environmental impact. Not only does a winter harvest align with your woodlot’s natural processes, but it also helps to minimize effects on the soil and vegetation of your property. While […]
Learn How to Identify Different Hardwood Trees in Michigan
![](https://www.buskirklumber.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Acorns-on-an-oak-branch-1024x683.webp)
Do you know what kind of hardwoods are in your woodlot? With over 19 million acres of forest cover, Michigan is home to a variety of different hardwood species. And of those species, some of the most valuable are maple, oak, walnut, and cherry. In this blog post, we help you identify the most valuable […]
A Guide to Maple Standing Timber: Identification & Harvesting From Your Woodlot in Michigan
![Sugar maple leaves](https://www.buskirklumber.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/sugar-maple-leaves-1024x768.webp)
Michigan is one of the most forested states in the country, with approximately 53% of its land area covered with forests. One of its most common tree species? Maples! In this blog post, we help you identify the most common maples, their characteristics, and their value when sustainably harvested from your private land! Identifying Maple […]
Timber Appraisal: Determining the Value of Your Standing Timber
![](https://www.buskirklumber.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/harvested-hardwood-timber-1024x683.webp)
Find out what the timber on your property is worth and profit from your woodlot! Your private land may hold a potential treasure that’s often underestimated—the trees in your woodlot. If you’re a landowner with a desire to understand the true worth of your standing timber and explore the possibility of selling timber, you’re in […]
8 Ways to Make Money From Your Raw Land
![Sun shining down through an open tree canopy.](https://www.buskirklumber.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/buskirk-lumber-woodlot-harvest-1024x683.webp)
With over 19.3 million acres of forest land covering 53% of the state, Michigan is home to a vast timberland acreage—the fifth largest in the entire United States! (Michigan.gov) As a new owner of private forested land, there are a few ways you can make passive income off your new investment, including timber harvesting, raising […]
Knowing Your Woodlot: Hardwoods vs. Softwoods
![Pile of cut timber logs stacked on top of each other](https://www.buskirklumber.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/hardwood-timber-logs-1024x768.webp)
Do you know what type of timber you have in your woodlot? And how can you tell the difference between hardwood and softwood? Telling the difference between the trees in your woodlot is simpler than it may seem. And once you can tell the difference, you’ll be able to determine just how much your timber […]