Value of Red Birch?

[mr_skittle]

I recently got some really nice lumber from a dealer going out of business. The auction was promoted here on the S&S forum in fact. One of the lots was about 140 BF of Yellow Birch. I was expecting some plain wood that could be used for drawer boxes and the like. I was pleasently surprised to find out that the majority of it is actually Red Birch or yellow birch heart wood. When I was working at a cabinet shop it would come through once in awhile as trim or moulding buy rarely a big project. I over-bought at the auction and would like to sell a few of the boards. They are all 6/4 10 ft and vary in width from 4-8 inches. I'm not even sure if "red birch" is a thing in other parts of the country but I would hope its worth a bit more that the 2.25 plain birch goes for around my parts. Can anyone give me their input on a price for this lumber?

[jlanciani]

The last time I bought some at retail it was north of $7/bf. Red birch is high on my list of favorites, works and wears like hard maple but I much prefer the color and texture over maple.

ETA, just looked, 5/4 is $7.35 and 8/4 is $9.10 today at Highland Hardwoods in southern NH.

[mr_skittle]

Holy Cow!  Thats way more than I would have expected. Granted that NH and N. MN markets are different but its at least encouraging to see such a premium. The kicker when selling stuff that too many people don't get is that what it's "worth" is much less important that what people are willing to pay. Putting something up on Craigslist is easy enough to float a price out there an see if I get any takers.

[jlanciani]

Don't forget though that retail means that I get to pick through a lift of 1000 bf and take only what I want. I would expect to pay half or less on Craigslist if the deal was that I had to take it all.

[greenacres2]

Johnson's in Charlotte, MI/South Bend, IN is at $6.24 base/$4.29 100 BF+ for red at 1" thick. They have yellow 1 1/2" at $3.71 for 100 BF+. Both prices are at S & B, rough. I trust their grading--good folks to work with. http://theworkbench.com/hardwood.php

Seems to vary some by region. Hope that helps.

earl

[mr_skittle]

Thanks Earl, that is really helpful. I think prices should be pretty similar between MI and MN. I called the only hardwood/exotic lumber dealer in town and he dosen't carry it regularly. Only when some comes in with a load of regular birch. He said it would sell for about $7 BF but as the only place to get that kind of lumber, he's often on the expensive side. I figured out that I paid $1.63BF so I'd be satisfied selling 30-40 BF for $4 BF but I'll start a little higher than that and see if there are any takers.

[packerguy®]

Its amazing what retail lumber goes for these days. There are central america exotics that sell for less that this (according to what people are saying)

Makes me want to buy a woodmiser....and start milling and selling. We are looking to buy some acreage up north...and I joked about getting one and a barn....but maybe I should be serious. 

I guess I am out of touch buying wholesale in quantities 250-500 bf at a time.