Live Oak tree farm??

[RiverRat1]

Are live oak trees worth anything? I was looking at a property and one of the selling points was a 3 acre live oak tree farm they planted 6 years ago.

Never heard of that before. Anyone know what they are worth? What do they sell, the wood?

[johng]

This drought might put you in business if those tree are irrigated.

[canny]

We purchased 15 live oaks last year to plant along our driveway at our hunting place.

[temple droptine]

I have an ex coworker that sells them here in Temple. I think he was getting about 30-50 bucks a tree between 2 to 4 inch caliper trees. There could be some money in it. How big are the trees, and are they irrigated? Also, are they in pots or in the ground where they would have to be scooped?
cb

[JLively]

I know that whenever we (company I work for) cut down trees to build a new facility, we are required to plant a quantity of "replacements". You may have a customer base in commercial construction/landscaping.

[Humper]

In Dallas, balled live oaks go for some good money based up the trunk size...

$200 - $1,000 per tree retail.

Here is an example.....

http://www.tree-land.com/tree_price_list.asp

[RiverRat1]

I have an ex coworker that sells them here in Temple. I think he was getting about 30-50 bucks a tree between 2 to 4 inch caliper trees. There could be some money in it. How big are the trees, and are they irrigated? Also, are they in pots or in the ground where they would have to be scooped?
cb

They are 1.5-4" about 2500-2600 of them

They are in the ground all in neat rows. And yes they are irrigated.

[temple droptine]

They are 1.5-4" about 2500-2600 of them

They are in the ground all in neat rows. And yes they are irrigated.

You could be sitting on some money then.

cb

[ground level]

You could be sitting on some money then.

cb

Especially if you have someone to dig and move them and have this as a sideline business.

Tim - check this one out - http://www.cedaroakstreefarm.com/

[RiverRat1]

Yes, if you could sell them all in a few weeks. And had something to dig them up. Now if one could get 200 each that may be worth it.

I did not know people grew live oaks to sell like that so was just curious.

[Sackett]

There are more Live Oaks in tree farms than all other trees, combined. You "could" make some money but unless you have the equipment (bobcat, tree spade, etc....) you won't make much, if even enough to make it worth your time. What you could do is see what the local tree wholesalers would give you for them. Let someone else come in wit a tree spade and do the work. FYI, a 4" Live Oak would be considered a 100-gallon tree and typical retail cost for one tree is $300-$450 and usually half purchase cost to plant.

[RiverRat1]

Here is the property in case someone is interested. I was just curious.

http://www.landsoftexas.com/texas/?detail=&inv_id=986063

[Razorback01]

You will probably have a good crop to replace trees lost to the drought, just don't try to sell/transplant this fall/winter. Late winter/early spring is the better time. May even wait a year.

[Bubba]

Have a Tree Company although I have had it on the back burner for a few years. The bigger trees if you sold them to someone to dig expect around 75 each.Little trees 50 maybe. Depends on how they look and have been taken care of.

[macoop]

Be careful transplanting trees this time of year and especially with a drought and excessive heat. You probably want to transplant after the tree goes dormant (winter).