Posted: November 17, 2025 | Forestry Economics
The North Carolina standing timber market through the first three quarters of 2025 delivered a clear message to landowners: value is shifting from low-grade trees to high-quality sawtimber. This period was defined by exceptional strength in sawtimber markets and a continued decline in pulpwood values, creating both opportunity and risk for landowners managing standing timber assets.
The big winner this year was sawtimber, the high-quality wood used for lumber and construction materials. Across North Carolina, mixed hardwood sawtimber (+8.73%) and pine sawtimber (+7.48%) both delivered strong, consistent price gains through the first three quarters. In Western North Carolina, the market was even stronger—pine sawtimber surged over 18%, making it one of the best-performing timber categories in the state.
However, not all sawtimber markets were stable. Oak sawtimber, which traditionally commands some of the highest standing timber prices, experienced sharp volatility. Prices swung dramatically between quarters, resulting in net losses across the western half of North Carolina and flat results in the east. This trend indicates that oak sawtimber prices remain unpredictable, adding an element of risk for sellers.
While sawtimber gained ground, low-grade pulpwood products fell sharply. The most significant decline came from hardwood pulpwood, which suffered a 17.61% price collapse statewide. This points to weak demand or potential oversupply for the wood used in paper, cardboard, and other basic fiber products.
Pine pulpwood held steadier overall, buoyed by regional differences. Eastern North Carolina saw an 11% price increase, while Western North Carolina recorded a 12% drop. This geographic split highlights the fragility and localized nature of the pulpwood market, where transportation costs and mill proximity can dramatically affect value.
The market in 2025 was clearly divided by geography. Western North Carolina experienced a broad upswing, particularly in sawtimber products, while the eastern half of the state encountered mixed conditions. Though Eastern Hardwood Sawtimber remained relatively stable, Pine Ply Logs—used heavily in plywood manufacturing—declined by more than 10%, underscoring that not all high-value wood products benefited equally.
In short, 2025 has been a strong year for selling sawtimber, but a difficult one for landowners relying heavily on hardwood pulpwood or other low-grade materials. For sellers, now may be the time to capitalize on favorable sawtimber conditions, while exercising caution in lower-value categories that remain volatile.
This analysis is based on data provided in the North Carolina Standing Timber Price Report (3rd Quarter 2025), published by the NC State University College of Natural Resources, Extension Forestry, and compiled using Timber Mart-South data. The full statewide report includes quarterly stumpage prices for pine, oak, and mixed hardwood sawtimber, as well as pine chip-n-saw and pulpwood.
You can view the full report at https://forestry.ces.ncsu.edu/.
Timber prices can vary significantly based on numerous factors—location, species, product type, accessibility, and distance to processing mills. Consequently, general price reports may not precisely reflect the value of any particular stand of trees. For accurate standing timber valuations, landowners should seek professional assistance from a consulting forester.