On Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 9:06:30 AM UTC-5, dpb wrote:
On 7/8/2020 8:27 AM, Sonny wrote:
Chestnut is not indigenous here in Louisiana and only the past 10 yrs or so did I become aware of or understand the plight of the chestnut trees. With little research, I thought Chestnut lumber was very desirable and pricey. Now I suppose my thinking is not quite right, that maybe Chestnut is not so desirable.

You guys up north more in the know, is reclaimed chestnut not so desirable after all? Googling prices, I find many sources where prices range from $10-$20 bd/ft. These prices convinced me not to be so eager to bid on this latest IRS auction.

Reason I ask: The auction closed yesterday, had lots of different reclaimed lumbers listed. I watched for a week or so, wondering how things would sell. Initially I considered bidding, making a trip to NC if I had won a bid(s). I focused on the Chestnut lumber. I didn't bid, thinking the prices would skyrocket, since I assumed it was so desirable. Seems most of the Lots sold for roughly $2 bd/ft for reclaimed Chestnut. Lot 204 sold for about $2.50 bd/ft.

I'm thinking these are really cheap prices for rare(?) lumber. I suppose I'm not educated enough to have been aware, but I think I would have bid on several of the Lots if I had some sense the prices would have been this low.

What's your take on reclaimed chestnut in general and are these prices, as it sold for here, average prices?
https://www.irsauctions.com/lots/?pg=details&id=23491

Sonny


Chestnut is a wonderful wood to work and is quite desirable...most of
the what you're seeing high prices for is either from beam construction
or some is from fallen logs. Generally those will also be graded and
in normal hardwood random sizes with wider boards. That drives the
price way up.

The lots I saw were all either flooring or flooring blanks it appeared
of 4" and 8-ft or under. Also was clearly not graded or if had been had
been sorted through and what's left in the auction is the ends -- some
good looking pieces but quite a bit with large knots and other defects.

Also, you have no idea what's inside a strapped bundle like that with
only a few pictures of the top layer -- folks aren't going to bid highly
on a pig in a poke...

I agree that if you've got a use for the sizes and can tolerate the
grade of 1C or so, it went pretty cheaply in comparison. But, can't
compare directly to graded, known material from a regular source.

BTW, many of the reclaimed lumber places I've seen online not knowing
where your searches took you look to be quite pricey and to be living
off the green cult rather than being really market-driven pricing.

Pretty much everything you've said makes perfect sense. I had not evaluated it that way. Thanks.

It would be good if I could inspect the lumber. I've gotten pretty good at "repairing" defected lumber, especially for my generally rustic type projects. I'm of the mindset, though, that I can make almost any salvaged lumber look good for almost any project.

Sonny