How Much Do Sawmills Pay for Logs?
Delivered-to-mill prices · $/MBF Doyle scale · Appalachian market
The straight answer, by species and grade — from government and university price reporting, not hearsay. Plus how mills actually scale and grade on the dock, and how to keep a light quote from costing you.
Sawmill log prices by species & grade (June 2026)
| Species | #3 / Pallet | #1–#2 Sawlog | Premium / Veneer | Main buyers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Oak | $145–$290/MBF | $370–$900/MBF | $900–$1,750/MBF Stave $1,050–$3,600 (bourbon barrel) · Veneer $2,950–$6,775 |
Cooperages, flooring mills, export |
| Black Walnut | $145–$290/MBF | $500–$1,500/MBF | $1,500–$3,725/MBF Prime F1 · Veneer market $3,500–$8,775 (export) |
Veneer mills, fine furniture, export |
| Red Oak | $115–$250/MBF | $245–$520/MBF | $440–$720/MBF Veneer top $620–$800 |
Flooring mills, cabinets, export |
| Yellow Poplar | $105–$290/MBF | $285–$560/MBF | $410–$720/MBF Veneer top $510–$770 |
Pallet mills, millwork, packaging |
| Hard Maple | $155–$370/MBF | $310–$560/MBF | $510–$890/MBF Veneer top $710–$1,050 |
Flooring, butcher block, sporting goods |
| Cherry | $110–$275/MBF | $255–$410/MBF | $380–$510/MBF KY F1 · Veneer $510–$610 · PA Allegheny premiums apply |
Fine furniture, custom cabinetry |
| Hickory | $140–$275/MBF | $255–$540/MBF | $430–$710/MBF | Tool handles, smoking wood, flooring |
| Ash | $140–$275/MBF | $310–$610/MBF | $430–$920/MBF | Handles, millwork (soft market) |
What that means for YOUR logs (the per-log math)
Every price above is per thousand board feet — and an average log holds far less than people expect:
- A 14" × 10 ft log ≈ 63 BF Doyle → at $500/MBF sawlog money: ~$31
- A 16" × 10 ft log ≈ 90 BF → ~$45 at sawlog rates — but $315–$790 if it’s walnut-veneer quality
- A 20" × 12 ft log ≈ 192 BF → ~$96 at $500/MBF; $200–$690 at white-oak stave money
Two takeaways: mills buy by the load because single ordinary logs barely cover trucking — and grade moves value 10–40× more than size does. Scale yours with the free calculator, then grade with the AI Log Grader.
How mills scale & grade on the dock
When your load crosses the scales, the mill’s grader measures each log’s small-end diameter inside bark and length, applies a log rule (Doyle in most of Appalachia — which under-scales small logs, another reason little logs pay poorly), then deducts for sweep, rot, seams, and shake. Grade comes from the clear faces: veneer needs near-perfect wood, F1 needs 5/6 clear on the best three faces, F2 two-thirds, F3 half. The grade chart shows the exact NE-1 thresholds.
Your protections: know your grade before you arrive, ask for the scale sheet, and if the number feels light, get a second quote — listing free on JMLogMarket costs nothing and makes the market bid for you. Know which buyer type should even be seeing your wood.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sawmills pay for logs?
In the June 2026 Appalachian market, sawmills pay roughly $245-$900/MBF (Doyle, delivered) for standard #1-#2 hardwood sawlogs depending on species: White Oak $370-$900, Black Walnut $500-$1,500, Red Oak $245-$520, Hard Maple $310-$560, Yellow Poplar $285-$560. Low-grade pallet logs bring $105-$370/MBF, while premium veneer and stave logs run from $1,000 to over $8,000/MBF. Prices are per thousand board feet - a single average log is worth far less than the per-MBF figure.
How much is one log worth at a sawmill?
Scale it, then grade it. A 16-inch by 10-foot log scales about 90 board feet on the Doyle rule, so at a $500/MBF sawlog price it's worth roughly $45 delivered - which is why mills buy by the load, not the log. The exception is premium wood: that same-size log at walnut-veneer money ($3,500-$8,775/MBF) is worth $315-$790. Grade free with the AI Log Grader before assuming either way.
Do sawmills pay more for delivered logs?
Yes. Published mill prices are usually delivered-to-mill; if the mill sends a truck or buys roadside, hauling comes out of your price. Standing timber (stumpage) runs 30-50% below delivered for the same reason - felling, skidding, and trucking all get deducted. If you can legally deliver a full load yourself, the hauling margin is yours to keep.
Why did the sawmill grade my logs lower than I expected?
Mills scale and grade on their own dock, and defects you didn't count - sweep, seams, rot, oversized knots, metal stain - all knock a log down a grade or into pallet class. Protect yourself by grading before you sell (the free AI Log Grader applies the same USFS NE-1 rules mills reference), asking for the mill's scale sheet, and getting a second quote when the number feels light.
Related Reading
Know What Your Logs Are Worth Before the Mill Does
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