Timber Selling Guide for Landowners: How to Get the Best Price for Your Timber

timber sales guide

timber sales guide
So, you are done growing timber on your land and are now ready to reap the rewards of years of hard work. But, how do you ensure to get the best or value for your bulk timber sales? Having a brief knowledge of the timber selling process might help.

We at CameroonTimberExportSarl help new timber businesses & landowners get the best out of their timber harvesting activities. Whether you need help with finding out the best timber quality or type to harvest or want to know the right process to sell your timber for the best value, we are here to help with our timber sales guide.

How Much Money You Can Make by Selling Your Timber Harvest Will Depend on a Number of Things, Including:

  • The time when you sell it;
  • How you sell it;
  • Whom you sell it to;
  • Timber species;
  • size;
  • And of course, the quality & quantity of timber.

Having the right people to assist you can make all the difference. For example, we have been in the timber industry for more than 30 years and have the specialized knowledge required to assess the value of timber based on species, volume, quality and other factors.

This timber sales guide takes you through the best process of marketing and helps you in selling timber for the best price, with or without professional help.

Timber Selling Process – the Best Route to Take for Maximum Gain

Before you could start selling your timber, it’s important to know about a few things, including the timber buying/selling process, methods, people involved in the process, how to measure timber, price conversions between different log rules, factors affecting the timber price, etc.

People in the Timber Buying/Selling Process –

A typical timber buying/selling process will have the following roles:

  • The owner/seller
  • A buyer/broker
  • A forester or legal advisor
  • A mill or manufacturer

Timber mills or manufacturers usually purchase their timber from intermediaries (timber buyers) who buy it from private landowners. Brokers sell the timber to their preferred mills after making a decent profit. Alternatively, owners can directly sell to manufacturers/mills, but that can be a complex and time-consuming process. And the broker also plays the role of determining the right timber value based on its quality, quantity, age, etc.

A seller can choose to sell timber on a ‘per unit’ or ‘lump sum’ basis. The price of the per-unit timber or the whole lot will be determined accordingly.

The timber measuring process can take considerable time, depending on the person doing it. Some buyers/sellers will measure each merchantable tree individually in order to calculate the entire volume of the lot/stand. Others work on the sampling mechanism, where a systematic sample is taken that represents the entire lot.

When measuring a tree, the person will usually measure two parameters –

1) The tree diameter at a height of 4.5 feet above the ground line, i.e. diameter at breast height or DBH,
2) The merchantable height of the tree.

Knowing about the factors affecting timber prices is also important in order to be able to determine the right price. These include timber species, type, quality & size, location, volume, competition in the market, etc.

Then, the next step is to market timber, i.e. get the word out about your timber harvest and let potential buyers know.

The timber selling process may sound complex, and it actually is, which is why we strongly recommend seeking professional assistance, especially if you are a new timber owner or seller.

Why Is Professional Help (From an Experienced Timber Supplier or Forester) Important?

Even though it’s possible to sell your timber on your own without the assistance of an expert, hiring professional help will ensure a smooth and profitable timber sales experience.

Professional timber suppliers and companies have good knowledge of the market and have experience in selling timber for the best price. They can help determine the right value of your timber harvest by assessing its quality, age, etc. Also, they can help market and sell the bulk timber to the right buyer for the right price.

For example, we at CameroonTimberExportSarl help local landowners throughout the timber harvesting process, from selecting the right timber species to growing and harvesting it, logging and processing, and then selling to the highest bidder.

We have our own sawmill in Douala, Cameroon where we process wood into the timber on behalf of hundreds of our partners and clients through the country and then transport it to buyers’ locations all over the world.

To know more about our timber-related services and to check out the timber species we export globally, visit the website cameroontimberexport.com.

Sustainable Wood Export and Development Practices

Sustainable Wood Development

Sustainable Wood Export
All our wood harvesting, processing and supplying practices here at CameroonTimberExportSarl are based on the concept of Sustainable Development, which refers to economic development without harming the nature of the environment.

Our woodworkers are hard-working individuals who are also very careful about protecting the environment while performing their duties. We at CameroonTimberExportSarl take every precaution to not accidentally or willingly harm the ecosystem or the health safety of our workers while doing our work. We are committed to taking very good care of the well-being of our workers and ensuring they are paid well.

Sustainable Wood Development – What It Means for Us

From harvesting forests to cutting & processing logs and timber, we strictly follow sustainable development practices.

At CameroonTimberExportSarl, we have multi hectares of forests reserved for sustainable wood harvesting. To maintain sustainability, we harvest not more than 2 trees at a time per hectare per year. Typically, each tree gets about 30 years of life before it’s ready to harvest.

Here at CameroonTimberExportSarl, all our wood processing and management plans are driven by the following three goals:

  • Maintaining biodiversity and protecting the ecosystem;
  • Welfare and development of workers & their families;
  • Respect local populations & their culture.

CameroonTimberExportSarl Environment Safety Policy

Tree harvesting and cutting can have serious environmental impacts if done improperly or ruthlessly. That’s why we at CameroonTimberExportSarl use multiple approaches to keep a track of the impact of our harvesting activities on the environment to ensure we do not cross the line.

Besides using modern tools & techniques including the Forest Compass and Geo-referencing, we train our workers to use low-impact logging techniques that are effective in achieving quality sustainable management of our forests in Cameroon.

Social Welfare & Development Policy

Sustainable access to quality housing, food and medic care is the least you can expect when working with CameroonTimberExportSarl. For us, the safety of our employees is always a priority and for this, we take every possible measure in our capacity. All our employees, whether residing at processing sites or in towns, are provided with the best-in-class living environment with easy access to top services, security & training.

In addition, all our employees are provided with adequate safety gear, including helmets, boots, coats, etc., which are replaced every couple of months. From time to time, we conduct health checkups to keep track of and maintain the health safety of all our workers.

For the growth and development of the local societies and people, we do our bit by promoting the recruitment of local people, providing financial support for the development of local projects, farms, schools and markets. Also, we generously pay Annual Forest Royalties (RFA), which further helps local development and growth.

Sustainability is in Everything We Do

Not just wood harvesting or processing, we maintain sustainability even in our daily practices, like saving water and electricity as much as possible, minimizing the use of paper, promoting the use of recycled items, among other things.

To know more about CameroonTimberExportSarl’s sustainable wood harvesting & development practices, contact us today.

We are a leading Cameroon-based supplier of top-quality African timber and export to countries like Malaysia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Canada and other locations in the Middle East and Europe.

How to Buy Best Quality Wood Directly from a Wood Supplier

buy wood directly form supplier

buy wood directly from supplier
If you are a professional woodworker or retailer, you must know that the most profitable way to buy wood is straight from the supplier rather than a dealer or your local shop. When buying wood directly from the wholesale supplier, you won’t only get the best price but also may get better options to choose from.

But, finding a reliable wholesale supplier of timber can be more difficult than you would imagine. You cannot simply ask your local retailer or distributor for the contact of their supplier. So, the best you can do is research online and through common contacts to find the right supplier that can consistently deliver good quality wood at cheap rates.

Finding the Right Wood Supplier in Your Area

Unless you have good contacts in the wood industry, it will not be easy to find a good supplier of wood. Most of the top suppliers work through dealers and/or supply directly to retailers, which is convenient for them. Working with individual buyers or consumers is not feasible for them. So, even if you manage to find a reliable wood supplier, convincing him to supply wood directly to you rather than his dealer will be a different task in itself.

You can use the internet to research and find good suppliers of timber that export to your location. Alternatively, you can use woodworking forums and communities to ask for referrals from expert people who are already using the services of reputable wood suppliers in your region. Social media can also prove to be a good source to seek leads.

CameroonTimberExportSarl delivers to most countries in the world, including Malaysia, UAE, Iraq, Canada, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia. We are a Cameroon-based top supplier and exporter of the best quality African wood and timber in a wide variety of species. We also supply directly to consumers, retailers and woodworkers at guaranteed lowest prices.

How to Buy Wood/timber Directly from Cameroontimberexportsarl

The process to buy the best quality African timber and logs directly from CameroonTimberExportSarl at the lowest price is simple. Just follow the steps below.

1. Use the contact form here to send your timber enquiries. Make sure to mention the size, species and quantity of wood that you want to buy. Alternatively, you can call us at +237 683 37 5541 to register your wood order directly or drop an email at info@cameroontimberexport.com.

2. Once we receive your query, we’ll get back to you at the earliest to further discuss your requirements and other details like delivery, payments, etc.

3. We deliver to most countries around the world. So, you can place your order to receive wood directly to your location. We also take care of shipping and customs.

We supply the best quality African wood at the lowest price here at CameroonTimberExportSarl (best wood supplier). You can visit our website to find out more about the wood species that we deal in and other wood related services we provide.

We accept all the leading global payments, including T/T bank transfer, MoneyGram and Western Union. Contact us today to discuss your wood requirements.

Best Types of Wood for Woodworking (Softwood & Hardwood)

best types of wood for woodworking
best types of wood for woodworking

When you are looking to select the best types of wood for woodworking project, it’s also important to choose the right type. Wood can be broadly categorized into two types – softwood and hardwood.

Irrespective of their names, softwood and hardwood have some significant differences, which you can find here. True to their name, hardwoods are relatively denser and have better resistance to fire and damage. In terms of price, hardwoods are comparatively more expensive because of their limited availability and extensive usability.

Common examples of softwood include cedar, pine, fit, redwood, etc. Popular hardwood examples are Mahogany, teak, oak, and hickory.

Best Types of Softwood for Woodworking

Softwoods are generally good for most woodworking projects. These are produced from coniferous trees that grow fast and straight. Their low cost makes them a common choice for low to mid-price wood projects. Softwoods are also easier to find in almost all parts of the world.

We at CameroonTimberExportSarl export all top varieties of African softwood with delivery worldwide. Here are the most common types of African softwood you can buy from CameroonTimberExportSarl.

Pine

Pine is by far the best and one of the most used types of softwood for woodworking. All pine species are ideal for furniture making. One of the reasons Pine is preferred by most woodworkers is that it’s very easy to work with and carves easily.

You can purchase pine directly from your local wood store, however, if you are looking to buy pine in bulk for a woodworking project, it’s cost-effective to import top-quality pine from CameroonTimberExportSarl, the leading supplier of African wood.

Best Types of Hardwood for Woodworking

Hardwood is a more common type of wood preferred by woodworkers. Besides strength, they possess many other qualities such as high fire resistance and moisture resistance. The variety of colors and texture in hardwood make it look beautiful, especially in furniture making projects.

Following are some of the common hardwood timber and log varieties you can import directly at the best price from CameroonTimberExportSarl:

Mahogany

Mahogany is one of the most commonly used hardwoods for furniture making. Its reddish-brown color featuring medium texture makes it look exquisite. The high popularity and lack of availability make mahogany quite expensive wood to buy and use.

You can purchase Mahogany timber and logs in bulk at the best rates from CameroonTimberExportSarl to get delivery to your location anywhere in the world. Place your order today.

Oak

Oak is a hardwood that is widely used for making furniture, among other objects. African oak is strong and very durable. It’s also easy to work with, which makes it a common choice for woodworkers.

Buy the best quality African oak timber and logs at the best price from CameroonTimberExportSarl.

Teak

Teak continues to be one of the choicest types of wood for outdoor furniture. The African teak is hard and is super resistant to moisture, weather and heat. Not only it looks beautiful in its naturally golden-brown color but is also quite strong.

The rare availability of teak makes it very expensive. For the best deals on top quality African Teak timber and logs.

Other than the above wood species, you can also buy different types of hardwood varieties including afromosia, azobe, anigre, bilinga, bubinga, ebony, iroko, rosewood, sapele, and walnut at the best prices with home delivery from CameroonTimberExportSarl.

Mahogany Wood: Properties, Characteristics & Uses

Mahogany Wood and its features
Mahogany is a world-class wood species

Mahogany is a world-class wood species that is found in many variants, such as African Mahogany, Cuban Mahogany, Honduran Mahogany, Santos Mahogany, Mountain Mahogany, Philippine Mahogany, etc., mainly based on the origin. It’s a heartwood, usually in deep red-brown color, with occasional dark reddish streaks.

Mahogany wood properties allow it to be used in both timber and logs forms, mainly for making furniture, cabinets, flooring, etc Also, mahogany slabs are also widely used for various interior and exterior furniture making. The usability and specific properties, however, depending on where the wood has grown.

Since African Mahogany is one of the most popular species, we will talk about its properties and uses here.

Common Mahogany Wood Properties

Scientific Name: Khaya spp.

Distribution: West tropical Africa, African Mahogany is grown in almost all parts of the country, but major plantation can be found in the West tropical regions.

Tree Size: With 100-130 ft (30-40 m) height, Mahogany is one of the highest naturally-grown trees. The trunk diameter is usually 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) in size.

Average Dried Weight: 40 lbs/ft3 (640 kg/m3)

Some of the reasons why Mahogany is so popular among woodworkers, luthiers and merchants is the easy availability and workability of this African hardwood.

In-depth View of Mahogany Properties & Characteristics

Color

African Mahogany color ranges from pale pink to dark reddish-brown, depending on the age. The heartwood grows darker with age. Also, it sometimes may have red-brown colored streaks.

Hardness/durability

Even though it’s a hardwood, Mahogany is not very hard. It ranks average in terms of hardness and has moderate, but not high, durability. Being not very durable, it’s poor to medium resistant to insects.

Workability

Since is a soft hardwood, it’s usually easy to work with. It is also easy to mill or cut in different shapes or timber sizes. At Cameroon Timber Export, you can buy African Mahogany timber in all standard sizes and shapes.

Stability

The stability of hardwood depends on its grain texture and moisture content, among other things. Mahogany has straight to interlocked grains, which makes it highly stable. The moisture content of the wood can be reduced through kiln drying.

Pricing

Mahogany is easily available and grown in almost all parts of the world. The prices are usually low or moderate, depending on where you’re importing Mahogany from.

Aesthetics and Uses of Mahogany

The most common use of Mahogany species is for furniture making. Almost everywhere in the world, Mahogany furniture is made with either locally-grown or imported Mahogany wood. The furniture made from Mahogany wood has a premium look and moderate stability. They look even better with a clean finish.

Other common uses of Mahogany include wood flooring, wood doors & windows, high-end trim work, veneering, turned items, plywood making, boatbuilding, etc. It’s also widely used for making guitar bodies.

Best Furniture Wood For Your House in 2021

Best Wood for House Furniture
Best Wood for House Furniture

A house is a reflection of its owner’s preferences and culture. From wall paints to decor and furniture, every single thing is customized in a way that falls in harmony with the owner’s lifestyle and basic choices. After construction when it comes to adorning the house with stylish yet strong furniture, people often find themselves in a confusing state related to which type of furniture wood is best and enduring for their house.

The article is a small endeavor to make readers aware of the benefits, appearance and characteristics of best woods used in the making of the house furniture.

List of 8 Best Furniture Wood To Choose From

Walnut

The type of wood is acquired basically from regions of the US like Vermont, Great Plains, Louisiana and Texas. The color variants range from white to dark brown and the wood is the hardest and the most enduring of all. It is used in the furniture which requires a lot detailing as the wood carves very well and due to its enduring nature the furniture made out of such woods can be preserved for generations to come. Walnut is a great choice if you are opting for furniture with various carvings and a retro look.

Maple

Maple belongs to the genre of hardwoods and is used for heavy furniture like dressing, dining, bed. This is the most affordable of all the hardwood kinds and is an ideal choice when it comes to families with young members. Another quality of this wood is it can easily be polished to look like any expensive wood (like mahogany). Maple comes in cream to reddish-brown colors and has a straight fine grain with the hint of bird’s eye or fiddle back patterns. The wood is acquired basically from Great Lakes Region.

Recommended: Top 10 Best Wood for Construction Uses

Mahogany

Mahogany is yet another example of enduring woods which can be preserved for long without any damage to the furniture. Talking about appearance mahogany wood has a fine straight grain and is produced in large boards due to the large size of the trees. Mahogany is found in Mexico, Central and South America but is also grown throughout the Tropics of Africa. African Mahogany is more popular than South American Mahogany. Color differs from pink to pale to reddish-brown and it appears in straight fine grain. Mahogany can be used in big furniture or furniture for guest rooms as it owns an essence of elegance and is great for various woodworks.

Birch

Birch is often the first choice for those who opt for simplicity but with modern essence. The wood looks beautiful with blond colors ranging from cream to reddish-brown and clean line grains. Due to its subtle yet attractive appearance, it often embraces the look of modern houses that are less fancy and more sophisticated. Birch is acquired from Northeast and Great Lakes regions and along the Appalachians. This furniture wood is durable and can be used with innovative woodwork.

Oak

Oak is one of the hardwood kinds and so it is a wise choice when it comes to making durable furniture. The quality which attracts the most is its nature of adapting to a variety of finishes. Want furniture with a modern or a retro look? Oak does full justice to both the finishes.  It’s also often used for Mission/Arts & Crafts furniture design. Oak is derived from eastern and central United States and many antiques in America are of Oak Wood.

It flaunts colors ranging from light brown to pinkish-red with patterns like swirling or stripped grains. The furniture made out of Oak is well known for its scratch and stain resisting quality.

Also Read: Types & Species of Hardwood for Flooring

Cherry

The blend of attractive colors and the capability of giving a beautiful finished look to any furniture makes Cherry Wood one of the most desired options of modern people. This furniture wood is a pricey hardwood but that is balanced with its quality and appearance. Used mainly in antique furniture with brilliant artworks, Cherry wood’s beauty never fades and is well known to give long term benefits to the owner. Found in the Eastern United States the blend of colors appearing on the wood is pinkish-brown to deep red with straight patterns and some rippling.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a grass species rather than hardwood and therefore it takes less time to grow than a hardwood. Well, there is no compromise with quality and appearance, Bamboo wood gives a beautiful finish with a subtle yet attractive color blend. The quality of being a flexible wood type makes bamboo the wise choice for contemporary interior design.

Bamboo is an eco-friendly yet flexible option when it comes to making furniture and therefore it is a preferred choice of the environment-conscious modern generation. Bamboo is found almost everywhere in the world except parts of Europe and Antarctica.

Pine

Pine is the most affordable option among all the woods when it comes to making furniture. The wood type is ideal for farmhouses with a little raw look which is in trend these days. Pine absorbs the paints very well which makes it a great choice for furniture in kids’ rooms. 

Pine is often acquired from Northern Hemisphere and it flaunts colors ranging from a subtle white to eye-catching red, brown and beige tones. The feature that makes it different from other woods is its knots and its rustic characteristics. Pine wood’s appearance is adorned with beautiful knots making it a different yet innovative option to go for. The wood resists shrinking and swelling and thus goes a long way.

All these types of wood and many more African furniture wood species you can purchase with Cameroon Timber Export, as we are the leading wood supplier and exporter in Africa and supply high-quality wood to furniture businesses all over the world.

Choosing the Right Type of Wood According to Requirement

Choosing Right Type of Wood
Choosing the Right Type of Wood

Choosing type of wood depends on the purpose and the type of the project. One needs to consider a number of things, such as the requirements for strength and beauty in the piece while selecting the right wood type.

At Cameroon Timber Export, we have different types of wood and their uses alongside for our valuable customers across the world. We also have a wide variety of wood available, each with its own benefits and features, which you can choose from based on your specific wood project requirements.

Here’s a brief guide on the types of wood and how to choose the right one for your woodworking project.

Types of Wood

Based on the origin, specifications and uses, wood can be typically classified into the following two types:

  1. Softwood
  2. Hardwood

Softwood

Softwoods are produced from coniferous trees that grow faster and are usually straight. These trees remain green all year round and are generally yellow or reddish in colour.

Softwoods are less dense and generally less expensive compared to hardwoods. They are also easily available in less-common places like farms and houses, which means their acquisition is easier and cheaper.

Common examples of softwood trees include pine, cedar, mahogany, redwood, fir, etc.

Hardwood

As the name suggests, hardwoods are generally more dense (harder) than softwoods. Their use is also more popular because of the huge variety of colors, textures, etc.

Hardwoods are generally more expensive than softwoods and some of the exotic ones are also very rare.

Examples include oak, African padauk, afzelia, blackwood, ebony, iroko, African mahogany, etc.

Also Read: The Differences Between Hardwood and Softwood

How to Choose the Right Wood Type

Besides the wood type, the strength and probable use of wood also depend on the way it has been cut at the mill. The three common types of milling processes are Plain, Quarter and Rift sawing, of which the first two are used mainly for hardwoods.

Plain sawing of hardwoods is done to build large wide wood slabs, which are ideal for building tabletops, flooring and furniture.

Quarter sawn hardwood is generally used for making furniture, because it is an expensive technique. This processing technique produces the most stable timber with beautiful patterning.

Softwoods that are processed through Rift milling are commonly used for the construction of decks, flooring, fencing, beams, framing, posts, landscaping and barn timbers.

Recommended: Top 10 Unique Woods that Only Available in Cameroon to Buy

Now, choosing type of wood will depend on the type of project as well. For instance, if you are looking for wood for an exterior project, such as exterior flooring, bench, etc., you need wood that has a high resistance to sun and weather. Look for the types of wood that are high in durability and strength and have the ability to protect against rot, water and insects.

On the other hand, if you are choosing the right type of wood for an interior project such as a dining table or chairs, you need not worry about high rot or insect resistance or protection against sun and weather conditions. So, you can choose a wood that is beautiful in appearance and has a decent durability.

Where to Find High-Quality Right Wood for your Project?

If you have already decided on the right wood type for your project and now looking for the best place to buy good quality hardwood timber, you don’t need to go anywhere else. At Cameroon Timber Export, we export and supply all types of wood timber and logs in a range of Africa wood species for all kinds of wood projects. So, whatever your requirement is, I’m sure you can find the right wood with us.

Go on, contact us right away to discuss your needs.

Placing A Small Wood Order with CameroonTimberExportSarl

small wood order
small wood order

CameroonTimberExportSarl is a Cameroon (Africa) based supplier and exporter of quality African wood logs and timber/lumber.

We export our wood logs and timber to multiple countries, including, but not limited to, Vietnam, Canada, UAE, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.

Normally, we have fixed minimum criteria on how much wood you can import/buy at a time from us, but that is for our existing and enterprise clients. If you are looking to start with a small wood order, we can work out a plan to fit your needs.

Eligibility for Small Wood Orders

This service is particularly for those woodworkers, merchants and businesses that are just starting in the wood import business and want small wood orders of just 1 or 2 containers to check the quality or get an idea about our timber species, quality and prices before they can commit to a bulk order.

Nature’s Finest African Wood For Sale! 
Order Wood Now!

Also, those who are placing their first order with CameroonTimberExportSarl can try our Small Order service.

Managing Small Quantity Export Orders (How it works)

We understand that many clients prefer to place small orders first, especially when they are starting out in the timber market or with a particular timber supplier.

This is why we have started this SMALL ORDER service, where we work out a customised order plan based on the immediate, small timber needs of a client.

The minimum order quantity is 1 container for SMALL ORDER service. This service may not be available for all locations, so please contact our team for confirmation.

How To Apply

If you are looking to place a small wood logs/timber order with CameroonTimberExportSarl, you can contact us right away explaining your particular needs or order details. We will then work out a plan that best fits your needs and budget. Contact us to know more.