FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Grain prices are down, but prices are moving up for another Indiana crop: Trees.

That is according to the annual Indiana Consulting Foresters Stumpage Timber Price Report, which relates a higher number of timber sales this year and prices for most hardwoods reaching pre-recession levels.

High-quality trees – such as larger oak, walnut and hickory – sell extremely well. The average high-quality stumpage price is $591 per 1,000 board feet. That is up from $478 in 2013 and similar to the 2008 average price.

"And my impression is, prices on the high end have only gotten stronger since we surveyed," said Tom Crowe, a consulting forester based near Fort Wayne who coordinates the survey report. The report, published in September, reflected prices through April.

Rising stumpage prices are supported by a strong global demand for high-quality hardwoods; Indiana sends high-end hardwood timber and veneer boards to Asian and Middle Eastern markets. But there is newfound price strength for lower-quality timber, indicating some broader economic recovery.

"Demand for low-quality timber has been very strong this year, particularly if the timber is near the mill or if good access is provided," stated the report.

That indicates more demand for lumber used in construction and remodeling, as well as strength in the manufacturing sector – the lowest-quality trees are used for pallets. For average-quality stumpage, average prices improved to $377 (per 1,000 board feet) compared to $338 last year.

The average price for low-quality stumpage improved to $235, up from $203 last year. Prices for average and low-quality stumpage are the third-highest since 2000, the survey’s first year.

Strong demand continues for black walnut and hickory; the higher quality and larger the logs, the better. Foresters also report strong demand for quality and quarter-sawn white oak logs. Both hard (sugar) maple and soft maple sell well, with hard maple prices improving.

Red oak markets are more volatile. "Red oak is up overall, but prices are bouncing around quite a bit," said Tom Wolfe. Black cherry prices are improving, though not yet to past price levels more desirable to the industry, he said.

The overall rise in stumpage prices comes even with lower ash prices. "There’s definitely a whole lot more ash on the market than ever before," said Crowe.

That supply comes from landowners harvesting ash trees attacked by emerald ash borer (EAB) before wood quality deteriorates. Ash average prices are also affected, as ash trees are harvested that show lower wood quality from borer damage.

Since first arriving in Indiana in 2004, EAB has been confirmed in many counties. The insect’s larvae kill ash by feeding on and girdling tree branches and trunks. Since dead trees produce lower-quality timber, many older and mid-sized ash in affected areas have been harvested.

The publicity around EAB has highlighted how good forest management can combat tree health issues, said Crowe.

"Forest health issues make professional advice even more important, to get an unbiased update on the current status of each threat as it relates to your property," he explained.

A complete copy of the survey report is available at www.indianawoodlands.org