re: Rising lumber prices (what’s next and who’s to blame?)

One of the issues is a lack of competition. There used to be a sawmill in every little town in rural LA and MS. These small and mid major mills kept the majors honest and timber prices reasonable. Now there is basically Weyhauser locally and no real competition. A forester friend told me timber prices today are about equal to those from the mid’70’s.. the timber folks aren’t reaping any windfall. The sawmills and retailers are price gouging because they can.

If this was a Hurricane issue and people were selling ice and bread for these type prices it would be illegal. These mills and retailers are at best taking advantage of the consumer.

I’d be embarrassed to say how little I was paid for 80 truckloads of sawlogs and pulpwood last year. Anybody trying to make a living on tree farming would starve to death..