Black Walnut Tree Value Calculator: Enter Tree Info to See Real Price

Georgette Kilgore headshot, wearing 8 Billion Trees shirt with forest in the background.Written by Georgette Kilgore

Forestry, Trees and Tree Planting | October 3, 2024

Woman looks at a Black Walnut tree with a dollar symbol on it along with a black walnut seed pod and black walnut tree leaves while holding a black Walnut Tree Value Calculator to measure Black Walnut tree value price.

A Black Walnut tree value calculator is an effective way to measure your tree’s worth accurately.

Many times when trees need to be removed, the cost can be deferred or reduced when the value of the wood is known.

In fact, there are many providers who will do free tree removal in exchange for wood, so having a way to measure the worth of a tree can be a big help.

This board feet calculator can tell you how many boards the tree will provide, from there, you can simply see the real worth by checking current market prices.

This Black Walnut tree value calculator article will tell you everything you need to know.

How Much Is a Black Walnut Tree Worth?

The Black Walnut is an enormous tree, highly marketable for its precious timber. If you are growing some for nuts, that’s fine, but many homeowners chose to have them removed.

However, you want to get a great deal by knowing your tree’s true worth.

The most important consideration when selling a tree or any other product is that it relies on the market’s demand and supply forces. You will fetch more from your black walnut if it has a high demand in the market; thankfully, the tree is highly sought-after for furniture making and flooring.

This is a key opportunity to utilize a tree in a way that some of the stored carbon will remain stored as furniture or flooring.

The tree is currently worth $5- $10 a board foot but can go higher sometimes. Similarly, a mature, well-cared-for black walnut of about 20 inches can go for $700- $800 or more, considering several factors.1

What Are the Factors Affecting Black Walnut Tree Value?

The selling prices for different types of trees vary based on their species and individual features. Several factors determine the result of the Black Walnut Tree value calculator, especially its size.

Its diameter and height set the price, and you will likely reap more if you have a massive mature tree that produces more boards. Generally, a tree measuring 14-26 inches across may yield about 50 feet of board and, consequently, a dollar more per inch increase.2

Low angle shot of a Black Walnut tree with its dark, heavily ridged bark and green leaves.

(Image: Maxime Laterreur11)

You also consider the veneer rating or the tree’s quality because there is more demand for better and more expensive boards. Buyers check for damages, knots, or other imperfections that reduce the wood’s quality and will go for darker wood types.

Trees growing densely in the woods with a slower growth rate tend to have darker timber.

Besides the tree’s features, other unrelated factors also impact the pricing. For instance, a buyer will set the cost depending on the distance to the plant, the harvest size, and other local regulations.

How Does a Black Walnut Tree Value Calculator Work?

If you are looking for a buyer for your trees or want to know how much money you can get after someone cuts your tree, you should know how to use the tree value calculator. It is the simplest way to approximate the value; otherwise, unscrupulous buyers could exploit you.3

Your tree’s value depends on its type, size, and other related factors, and a calculator puts this in perspective. You only have to enter your tree’s data to determine its worth. The process requires only a few steps.

A general calculator will ask you to pick your tree type, but the step is unnecessary for specific Black Walnut tree tools. Next, you enter the tree’s circumference, which is its size around the trunk. Secondly, you will fill in its height and click to find the dollar estimation.

How Does the Black Walnut Tree Value Calculator Determine What’s My Tree Worth?

Like any other software that helps you calculate values online, the black walnut tree value calculator does all the calculations for you. Instead of manual computation, it is a special modification where you only need to enter the relevant details and find accurate results in seconds.

Screenshot of Utah State University website page for publications with yellow arrow on what is a tree worth.

(Image: Michael Kuhns12)

This software requires the tree’s height and circumference since they are the major determinants of a plant’s value. The system also uses a primary value, a pre-generated factor from tables that helps convert the data to cost.4

The tool uses the equation:

Tree value= basic value * circumference * height

In most cases, the circumference is in inches, the height in feet, and the value in dollars. Your data, therefore, depends on the specific tool’s needs. Otherwise, mixing up the information will lead to inaccurate results.

How To Sell Your Trees for Timber

If it is your first time trying to sell, consider alternate ways to sell your trees for lumber. It comes in handy if you have multiple Black Walnuts and want to get the most out of them.

The first step is to seek professional advice from foresters.

Image of three short Black Walnut timber in a woodcutting platform.

(Image: sadie_stone13)

They are experts that guarantee more earnings since they have experience selling various trees and know the ins and outs of the market, from the wood grades to details about potential clients. Together, you can select the best trees to cut down, the ideal harvest method, and details about the volume and total value to expect.

Foresters can help you inventory all the trees, and you can use this report to get the right price. The following is some information found in inventories.5

  1. All the types of timber and their prices- each product fetches a different price.
  2. The tree sizes- generally, larger trees are more expensive than small ones.
  3. The timber species- some tree types are more valuable and have a higher demand than others, hence more lucrative.
  4. The timber quality- the better the quality of your wood, the higher its price point.
  5. The timber volume- the more timber to harvest, the more your earnings.
  6. Proximity to the market- transporting bulky trees can be tasking and pricey, and it is common for local millers to pay more.

Could That Tree in Your Backyard Could Be Worth a Lot of Money?

The Black Walnut is one of the most valuable trees, given its various uses. They are ideal for harvesting or growing for aesthetics, and it is common for the government to get involved in protecting them.

Close up image of a Black Walnut tree with its dark, heavily ridged bark, fruits and green leaves.

(Image: Hans14)

Lumbers love dark timber, perfect for furniture making and creating other wood projects like flooring, and will pay handsomely for them. Some dedicate their land to growing more of them to help fetch more money from companies.

Even a single black walnut is worth a lot of money, given that the species grows enormous. You can care for the one growing in your backyard and sell it for a lot of money if it grows massive and is a perfect high-quality tree without blemishes.

Black Walnut Tree Value Calculator: How Much Are the Trees in Your Yard Worth?

Everyone wants the best prices for trees growing in their home. You can use a Black Walnut tree value calculator to determine an accurate estimate or find a professional to help. It is vital if you want to remove it for personal reasons or are seeking compensation for unlawful cutting by a third party.

However, note that the trees growing in yards are less lucrative than those in the woods or plantations. Moreover, those in dense forests have darker woods, perfect for forming veneers, and are not usually tampered with by nails and other foreign objects.6

Additionally, yard trees are harder to remove if fences and power lines are nearby, making cutting quite costly. While the black walnut is relatively more valuable than other species, its size and wood grade influence its price. Therefore, if you have a small tree in your yard with many defects, it may not be worth a lot.7

What Is the Value of Growing Trees?

Planting projects are not only for the environment or aiding in climate justice efforts; you can also make it a fulfilling career given how valuable they are. You can manage a tree plantation If you want the highest return on your investment, especially softwood species with fast growth rates.

They have short rotations of 5-20 years, unlike hardwoods making them more attractive to investors. Alternatively, if you are okay with waiting to earn more from your plantation, you can invest in valuable hardwood trees for their veneer quality.

Additionally, 90% of softwood plantations are grown for pole production, and you can generate profits in three cycles, short and high fences, and telephone posts.8

Another reason to grow trees is for land reclamation; it may be an unattractive investment, but governments can pay to rebuild lands ravaged by fires and other calamities. If considering investing in tree plantations, you may ask how much is your money tree worth.

The following is a table of cost of mature trees per cubic inch, and you can tell which species are more valuable.

Chart that shows the cost of mature trees per cubic inch.

Tree type Basic Value Dollars
Cedar $3.15
Beech $1.06
Black Ebony $55.75
Black Walnut $3.85
Douglas Fir $1.05
Image of Huge Cedar tree situated on a valley in winter.

(Image: sadie_stone15)

Tree type Basic Value Dollars
Elm $1.35
Eucalyptus $2.1
Mahogany $15.16
Red Oak $2.15
Rosewood $11.12
Elm tree situated in an open field.

(Image: 1201916)

Tree type Basic Value Dollars
Maple $2.44
Teak $8.88
White Oak $3.53
White Pine $1.85
White Ash $2.58
Wide shot of huge maple tree with its hues of orange and red leaves.

(Image: Aaron Burden17)

How Much Money Is an Acre of Timber?

The worth of an acre of timber varies greatly based on several factors, like the tree’s age and species. The value can range from $900 to $1800, and the rate goes up if the trees are decades old, high-quality, and high in demand.

Clearcut timber is usually more lucrative for each acre, given the trees’ average size and how much material is available. Many investors opt for clearcut when trees are more than 26 years old because it means maximum timber quality.

However, clearcut involves removing the entire timber from the land, providing pulpwood and chip-n-saw wood, even for mature forests of more than 26 years. This mixture of products will significantly impact the timber’s price per acre.9

Factors Driving the Price of Timber

A common question from first-time investors is, how much can you sell trees for? To determine how much an acre is worth, it is crucial to understand that demand and supply are the main drivers of the price; if there is low demand, your timber’s value will decrease and vice versa.

Your location, buyer, nearness to the plant, the harvest volume, and the timber required in your region will influence the demand. If the conditions are favorable, you will likely reap more per acre. The tree’s quality is also important since some species will stay valuable all year round.

For instance, the black walnut is a top choice for buyers, given the quality of the veneer it produces. It also has a high demand in the furniture industry and manufacturing of other wooden items. Therefore, it will be quite lucrative to own a plantation to increase sales volume.

How Much Are Oak Trees Worth?

As a 5.5 billion industry, the Oak tree is one of the most valuable trees to grow in the United States, especially in the East. The northern red oak, chestnut oak, scarlet oak, and black oak species are the most popular out of the 90 types in the country, but the white oak has the highest demand.

An oak tree’s value varies based on the species, the wood’s quality, and size, whereas rare, high-quality massive trees are more lucrative. The tree can rate up to $1.20 per board if it is high quality; hence the bigger it is, the more expensive it will be.10

The northern red was trendier in the 90s, but the demand gradually reduced, and now the white oak is king. Previously, red oak was famous for its luxurious, stylish cabinets, but today, people prefer lighter oak colors like the white oak species.

Is Cutting Down Black Walnut Trees illegal?

Removing Black Walnut trees is not illegal, unless otherwise prohibited by the current law.

In some counties across the U.S., the removal of black walnut trees is prohibited by law, so always check with your local county and state tree removal laws to the ensure that it’s okay.

How To Determine the Value of Mature Trees

There are several accurate ways to help you determine the value of your tree, whether you want to cut one growing in your yard or are considering investing in a plantation. The fastest and simplest way is to use a tree value calculator.

You only need the information about its type, height in feet, and circumference in inches, and you feed the data into the software and click to calculate its worth instantly. Alternatively, you can find an arborist or a forester skilled in calculating tree values and writing full inventories.

Hiring a third party comes with a fee and would be more economical when dealing with more trees. Alternatively, you can call your insurance company and ask for a tree appraisal. Remember that you will need proof of the tree’s age and size if seeking compensation.

How Many Board Feet in a Tree?

Knowing how many board feet in a tree is vital in estimating its total yield, whether dealing with a single or plantation. The lumber in the US is measured as 144 cubic inches or 12 by 12 inches of a board which is an inch thick. You can use several methods, but the following is the simplest.

1. Measure the tree’s merchantable height (H).

2. Find the (D) diameter of the tree at approximately 3-4 feet from the ground (about the height of kitchen countertops).

3. Subtract 4 inches from the diameter of the tree to account for bark (d).

3. Use a board feet calculator method, such as the Doyle version, and calculate.

Planting trees helps the country’s effort to solve the climate crisis, but besides that, trees are also a viable income source. Valuable species like the Black Ebony, White Oak, and Black Walnut are some of the most sought-after timbers.

Lumberyards use this wood to sell materials for furniture, veneers for flooring, and other woodwork. However, if you are a first-timer and have no idea how much your black walnut costs, you can use some accurate tools to determine its value.

The simplest and fastest way to go is to enter details like the tree’s height and circumference into a black walnut tree value calculator, which will give you the exact value within seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions About Black Walnut Tree Value Calculator

What Does a Black Walnut Tree Look Like?

The Black Walnut has a dark, rugged bark with vertical ridges and usually grows to a massive height. It also has large compound leaves with numerous leaflets, and the most easily noticeable feature is its hanging green spherical fruits that enclose black nuts.

What Is the Black Walnut Tree Price?

The Black Walnut is one of the most expensive and lucrative trees to sell, thanks to its high-quality dark wood. The tree ranges from $5- $10 per board foot, although it can cost more depending on other factors. In most cases, your 20-inch tree can fetch you $700- $800.

How Do I Calculate the Value of a Tree?

You can calculate your tree’s worth using a tree value calculator that requires you to enter its height and circumference to get results immediately. Otherwise, you can seek professional services from a forester or arborist or call your insurer to get the tree’s appraisal.

How Do You Use the Black Walnut Tree Value Calculator?

The tree value calculator is the simplest software to get instant results; you only need the correct measurements you feed into the system. The tool will multiply the tree’s height, circumference and basic value (a constant) to determine its worth.

What Is the Carbon Footprint of Timber?

Timber has the lowest carbon footprint, unlike other building materials like metals and concrete. Interestingly, each dry ton produced takes away 1.8 tons of CO2 from the air, which remains locked inside, aiding in offsetting greenhouse gas emissions.

What Are the Most Valuable Trees To Grow?

If you want to invest in the tree planting industry, you should know the most lucrative and high-demand species that will fetch you more money. The best tree types that guarantee high ROI include fruit trees, black ebony, maple, mahogany, black walnut, bonsai, and white oak.

Read More About Black Walnut Tree Value Calculator

References

1MK Timber. (2022). Black Walnut Tree Value: What to Know. MK Timber. Retrieved December 23, 2022, from <https://mk-timber.com/black-walnut-tree-value-what-to-know>

2Steven, M. (2022). How Much Is a Black Walnut Tree Worth? (Explained). MaterialSix. Retrieved December 23, 2022, from <https://materialsix.com/how-much-black-walnut-tree-worth/>

3Beyer, G. (2023). Walnut Trees. Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved December 23, 2022, from <https://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/forestry/walnut_economics.pdf>

4Zaborowska, L. (2021, November 12). Tree Value Calculator. Omni Calculator. Retrieved December 23, 2022, from <https://www.omnicalculator.com/biology/tree-value#how-to-determine-the-value-of-mature-trees>

5USDA Forest Service. (2022). Forester (GS-9). Forest Service National Website. Retrieved December 23, 2022, from <https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5411452.pdf>

6Precision Landscape and Tree. (2022). Are Your Woods Worth Anything? Precision Landscape and Tree. Retrieved December 23, 2022, from <https://www.precisiontreemn.com/tips/are-your-woods-worth-anything.html>

7Cassens, D. L. (2007). Hardwood Lumber and Veneer Series. Purdue University. Retrieved December 23, 2022, from <https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-278-W.pdf>

8Tree Plantation. (2000). Tree Value Calculator. Tree Plantation. Retrieved December 23, 2022, from <https://treeplantation.com/tree-value-calculator.html>

9Michigan Forests Forever. (2022). Clearcutting, is it necessary? Michigan Forests Forever Teachers Guide. Retrieved December 22, 2023, from <https://mff.forest.mtu.edu/Balance/Clearcutting.htm>

10Stephen A. Chilcote Land and Timber Consultant. (2022). How Much Are Oak Trees Worth? Stephen A. Chilcote Land and Timber Consultant. Retrieved December 23, 2022, from <https://chilcoteforester.com/how-much-are-oak-trees-worth/>

11Maxime Laterreur. (CC BY-SA 4.0). Resized. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved from <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Juglans_nigra_en_automne.jpg>

12Michael Kuhns. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved from <https://extension.usu.edu/forestry/trees-cities-towns/urban-forestry/what-is-a-tree-worth>

13A. Drauglis. (CC BY 2.0). Resized. Flickr. Retrieved from <https://flickr.com/photos/85463968@N00/3542257521>

14Hans. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/de/photos/schwarznussbaum-baum-parkbaum-61599/>

15sadie_stone. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/photos/tree-cedar-bark-nature-forest-1870524/>

1612019. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/photos/camperdown-elm-tree-landscape-316360/>

17Aaron Burden. Unsplash. Retrieved from <https://unsplash.com/photos/Bn2rzIYM53g>