Michigan’s forests are home to a rich mix of high-value hardwoods, from the red oaks of the Lower Peninsula to the slow-growing sugar maples and black cherry trees in Northern Michigan. These species form the backbone of Michigan’s hardwood industry and command strong prices from regional buyers.
In this blog, we outline which hardwood species are most valuable and what factors influence that value, so that you can make informed decisions about selling the standing timber from your woodlot to a local Michigan timber buyer.
Michigan’s Most Valuable Hardwood Species
Sugar Maple
Sugar maple is one of Michigan’s most prized hardwoods. Its dense, attractive grain makes it ideal for furniture, flooring, and even veneer if logs are straight and defect-free.
What adds value: Large diameter, straight stems, minimal defects, and good site access.
What lowers value: Knots, rot, poor form, or small logs.
Hard Maple
Closely related to sugar maple, hard maple is another top-value hardwood in Michigan. Its strength and appearance make it highly sought after for cabinetry and flooring.
Value driver: Large, defect-free logs.
Risk: Growth is slow, and defects reduce grade significantly.
Black Cherry
Black cherry is especially valuable for veneer and fine furniture due to its rich, reddish-brown color. Veneer-grade logs are particularly sought after.
What adds value: Rich heartwood color, straightness, minimal sapwood.
What lowers value: Insect damage, high sapwood content, branching defects.
Red Oak & White Oak
Oak is widely used for flooring, cabinetry, and cooperage. White oak has become particularly valuable due to demand for wine and whiskey barrels, while red oak remains in steady demand.
Value driver: High-quality veneer and stave logs bring premiums.
Risk: Markets fluctuate; poor log form or disease reduces returns.
Beech & Basswood
These hardwoods are generally less valuable but still marketable. Basswood is popular for carving and specialty uses, while beech has limited markets due to disease pressure.
Value driver: Large, defect-free logs in mixed hardwood stands.
Risk: Beech bark disease and poor demand keep values lower.
What Affects Hardwood Timber Value in Michigan
Even within a species, value can vary widely. The main factors that will come into play during your timber appraisal are:
- Quality & Grade—Straight, large-diameter logs with minimal knots bring the highest returns. Veneer logs require exceptional quality.
- Accessibility & Harvest Costs—Easy-to-reach sites with good road access yield higher net returns for landowners.
- Market Demand—Shifts in demand affect pricing.
- Volume Available—Timber buyers pay more when there’s enough volume to make a truckload worthwhile.
- Health Issues – Pests, rot, and disease can significantly lower log value.
Why Are Some Hardwoods Less Valuable?
Species like basswood and beech are abundant in Michigan but have limited uses in high-end markets. While they are still harvested, their value remains far lower than premium species like maple, oak, or cherry. In many cases, they are sold alongside higher-value hardwoods in mixed stands.
Maximizing Hardwood Timber Value as a Seller
If you’re considering selling your standing timber in Michigan, keep these tips in mind:
- A Larger Stand Means More Leverage: Larger amounts of timber often attract higher offers and give you better negotiating power.
- Assess Quality: Look for straight trunks, large diameters, and minimal defects—these factors directly affect market value.
- Work With a Timber Buyer: A timber cruise appraisal can estimate your inventory and grade before you sell.
- Watch the Market: Timber demand changes seasonally and with industry trends, so timing can impact your return.
- Plan for Timing: Sometimes, letting trees grow a few more years can significantly increase their value.
Thinking of Selling Your Hardwood Timber?
If you’re a landowner thinking about selling your hardwood timber, having the right information—and the right buyer—can make a big difference in what you earn. By selling directly to a sawmill, you skip the middlemen and get top dollar for your trees.
At Buskirk Lumber, we operate a sawmill and timber-harvesting crew in Freeport, MI, and travel throughout Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio to purchase standing timber. With over 100 years of combined experience as licensed and bonded timber buyers, we help landowners manage their woodlots profitably.
We pride ourselves on professionalism, transparency, and treating your property as our own. Contact us today for an appraisal and discover the value of your standing timber.
