Buy & Sell Hardwood Logs in Ontario
Connect directly with loggers, sawmills, and lumber buyers across Ontario and the Great Lakes region. Sugar Maple, Yellow Birch, Red Oak, Black Cherry and more — free to list, no commission.
Market note: Sugar Maple (hard maple) demand stays firm — Ontario and Québec mills are supplying flooring, furniture, and a steady export channel; Québec producers (e.g. Groupe Savoie) have quoted veneer-grade sugar maple near $780 CAD/MFBM and prime sawlogs around $700. A softer Canadian dollar continues to favour Ontario exporters shipping to U.S. Northeast mills, though recent U.S. tariff discussion on Canadian wood is adding uncertainty (recent reports, not a firm quote). White Ash markets remain soft as emerald ash borer salvage works through the region. Full 2026 market outlook →
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Buyer’s Field Guide — Ontario
- Specify grade upfront. Ask for NHLA grade (FAS, F1F2, #1 Common) or USFS log grade (Grade 1–3) to avoid disputes on delivery — both are widely used across the Great Lakes region.
- Confirm scaling method. Ontario sellers may quote on the International ¼", Doyle, or Ontario Scaling Manual basis. Know your scale — Doyle reads low on small logs vs. International.
- Sugar Maple colour matters. For flooring and furniture, confirm sapwood share and lack of mineral streak — white, clear hard maple commands the premium.
- Ask moisture content. Air-dried vs. green lumber significantly affects your drying cost and mill input pricing.
- Know your load limits. Confirm Ontario MTO axle and seasonal weight limits (and any reduced-load periods) for your haul route before contracting.
- Get multiple quotes. JMLogMarket shows multiple active sellers — compare 2–3 sources before committing on larger purchases.
Maximize Your Load Value — Ontario Sellers
- Sort veneer logs before you sell. A clean, large-diameter Sugar Maple, Yellow Birch, or Red Oak log can be worth several times more to a veneer buyer than to a sawmill. Always separate and price them independently.
- Keep hard maple clean and white. Tight, white, defect-free sugar maple is the premium product — don’t mix it with stained or mineral-streaked logs that pull the whole load down.
- Post specific listings. Include species, estimated MBF/m³, log count, length/diameter range, and region. Vague listings get fewer calls.
- Export access adds value. A softer Canadian dollar makes Ontario logs attractive to U.S. Northeast mills and overseas buyers — mention rail or border-crossing access.
- Time your sales to the cut. Hardwood harvest peaks on frozen ground (Dec–Mar); selling fresh-cut, well-stored logs into spring mill demand can lift your price.
- Never accept one offer on premium wood. Veneer mills, export buyers, and domestic sawmills all pay different rates for the same log. Get at least 2–3 bids.
Ontario Hardwood Price Reference
Representative delivered-to-mill ranges in CAD $/MBF (International ¼" basis). Compiled from Ontario MNRF Crown timber / stumpage pricing, published Québec mill prices (e.g. Groupe Savoie), Natural Resources Canada forest-product data, and Northeast-U.S. comparables. Prices vary widely by region, buyer, diameter, and grade; standing-tree (stumpage) value is typically 40–60% lower than delivered. This is a planning reference only — always confirm current prices directly with local buyers.
| Species | Veneer / Premium | #1–#2 Saw Log | #3 / Pallet | Key Buyers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Maple (Hard) | $700–$1,400/MBFClear white veneer · QC mills ~$780/MFBM veneer quoted | $400–$750/MBF | $150–$300/MBF | Flooring, furniture, export |
| Yellow Birch | $600–$1,100/MBFSelect / veneer grade | $350–$650/MBF | $150–$275/MBF | Furniture, cabinetry, flooring |
| Red Oak | $500–$850/MBFVeneer / select | $300–$550/MBF | $125–$250/MBF | Flooring, cabinets, export |
| Black Cherry | $500–$900/MBFSelect / veneer · colour-dependent | $300–$525/MBF | $125–$250/MBF | Fine furniture, custom cabinetry |
| White Oak | $650–$1,300/MBFLimited Ontario supply (S. Ontario) · cooperage/export premiums | $325–$650/MBF | $125–$250/MBF | Cooperages, flooring, export |
| Basswood | $300–$550/MBF | $200–$400/MBF | $100–$200/MBF | Carving, millwork, shutters |
| Soft Maple | $350–$650/MBF | $225–$450/MBF | $100–$225/MBF | Furniture, pallets, millwork |
| White Ash | $350–$700/MBF | $250–$450/MBF | $125–$225/MBF | Handles, flooring (EAB-soft market) |
* CAD reference ranges, planning use only. Actual prices depend on log diameter, grade, region, scale (International ¼", Doyle, or Ontario Scaling Manual), and current demand. Veneer logs are often quoted per log or per m³ by individual buyers. Get multiple quotes on any premium species.
Browse by Species
Tap any species for current prices, grading, and active listings.
Top Hardwood Listings
See all →JMLogMarket is expanding into Ontario — here are some of the best logs and lumber on the marketplace right now. Be the first to list Ontario timber.
Best Time to Sell — Seasonal Guide
Peak demand months by species in Ontario.
Based on typical Ontario / Great Lakes market patterns — hardwood harvest peaks on frozen ground (Dec–Mar). Actual conditions vary by year. Read the 2026 market outlook →
Ontario Timber Regions
Regional overview — species, access, and major mill types by area.
Algonquin & Ottawa Valley
Renfrew, Pembroke, and the Algonquin highlands. Classic tolerant-hardwood country — Sugar Maple, Yellow Birch, and Red Oak on managed Crown forest. Strong sawmill and veneer presence.
Haliburton & Bancroft
Haliburton Highlands and the Bancroft area. Premium hard maple and birch from private woodlots and Crown land. Hub for select-grade hardwood loggers.
Muskoka & Parry Sound
Mixed tolerant hardwood across the Canadian Shield edge. Sugar Maple and Yellow Birch dominate; access to Georgian Bay shipping and southern mills.
Southwestern Ontario (Carolinian)
Norfolk, Middlesex, Elgin, Chatham-Kent. Canada's deciduous zone — the rare home of Black Walnut, White Oak, and high-value Red Oak from farm woodlots.
Eastern Ontario
Lanark, Frontenac, Leeds-Grenville. Maple and oak from managed woodlots; close proximity to Ottawa, Montréal, and U.S. border buyers in New York.
Grey-Bruce & Bruce Peninsula
Hardwood woodlots across Grey and Bruce counties. Sugar Maple, Beech, and Birch. Active community of farm-woodlot sellers and portable sawmills.
About Ontario Timber
Ontario is one of the most heavily forested jurisdictions in North America, with roughly 70 million hectares of forest — about two-thirds of the province — and some 27 million hectares of managed Crown forest. While the northern boreal forest is dominated by softwoods, the province's commercial hardwood resource is concentrated in the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence forest through central Ontario and the Carolinian (deciduous) zone of the far southwest. Sugar Maple is the signature species, alongside Yellow Birch, Red Oak, Black Cherry, Basswood, and ash.
Ontario's hardwood economy runs on two supply streams. Crown timber is allocated to mills through Sustainable Forest Licences and priced via the province's stumpage system, while private woodlots — especially across southern and eastern Ontario — supply a large share of the highest-grade veneer and sawlogs. Markets include domestic flooring, furniture, and cabinetry manufacturers, plus a strong export channel: a softer Canadian dollar makes Ontario hardwood attractive to U.S. Northeast mills and overseas buyers.
Prices vary sharply by species, grade, and region. Québec mills (e.g. Groupe Savoie) have published veneer-grade Sugar Maple near $780 CAD/MFBM with prime sawlogs around $700 — useful comparables for eastern Ontario. Yellow Birch and Red Oak select logs typically run several hundred dollars per MBF below clear maple, while standing-tree (stumpage) value is generally 40–60% below delivered prices. For the authoritative provincial figures, the Ontario MNRF Crown timber pricing data and Natural Resources Canada forest-product statistics are the canonical sources. The ranges on this page are a planning reference — always confirm with local buyers before you sell.
Ontario Hardwood Species Guides
Deep dives on pricing, grading, and markets for each major Ontario species.
Ontario Hardwood Logs — Frequently Asked Questions
What are hardwood log prices in Ontario in 2026?
Representative delivered-to-mill ranges in CAD: Sugar Maple veneer $700–$1,400/MBF and sawlogs $400–$750/MBF; Yellow Birch veneer $600–$1,100/MBF and sawlogs $350–$650/MBF; Red Oak veneer $500–$850/MBF and sawlogs $300–$550/MBF. Actual prices depend on diameter, grade, length, and regional demand — check live Ontario listings on JMLogMarket for current asking prices.
Where can I sell hardwood logs in Ontario?
You can list logs free on JMLogMarket and buyers contact you directly — no commission. Ontario’s hardwood buyers include flooring, furniture, and veneer mills across the Ottawa Valley, Muskoka/Algonquin region, and southwestern Ontario, plus export buyers; a softer Canadian dollar keeps U.S. Northeast mills active in the Ontario market as well.
What are the most valuable hardwood species in Ontario?
Sugar Maple (hard maple) leads the Ontario market — veneer-grade logs top the price table and demand stays firm from flooring, furniture, and export channels. Yellow Birch is a strong second, followed by Red Oak, White Oak, and Black Cherry. Clean, large-diameter, defect-free logs of these species command the premium.
Are prices shown in Canadian dollars?
Yes. Canadian listings on JMLogMarket display prices in Canadian dollars (marked C$), and the price reference on this page is in CAD per thousand board feet (MBF), delivered to mill. U.S. listings are shown in USD.
Is it free to list timber in Ontario?
Yes — the Free plan includes one listing per month with no commission and no transaction fees; buyers contact you directly. Paid plans ($10–$75 USD per month) add more monthly listings and better placement. Posting takes a few minutes: species, quantity, price, location, and photos.
Log Hauling & Transport
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Hardwood Log Prices by Species
Species-by-species price references, grading, and markets — applicable across Ontario and the Great Lakes region.