Posted: February 27, 2026 | Industry News
As we’re well into 2026, 2025 was a year that clearly demonstrated how regional differences can shape timber markets across North Carolina. Quarterly standing timber price data showed a sharp contrast between Eastern and Western markets, with each region favoring different products. For landowners, the year reinforced an important lesson: what you’re selling — and where you’re selling it — matters.
While some categories showed steady performance, others experienced dramatic swings between the first and fourth quarters. The result was two very different market environments within the same state.
Western North Carolina proved to be the stronger market for high-quality hardwood and sawtimber throughout 2025. Prices for oak and mixed hardwood sawtimber in the western region remained more stable from quarter to quarter and consistently outperformed Eastern markets.
Oak sawtimber averaged approximately $7 per ton more in the West compared to the East. Mixed hardwood sawtimber followed the same pattern, averaging about $5 per ton higher in Western North Carolina. This stability gave landowners selling quality hardwood a more predictable pricing environment.
Pine sawtimber was one of the few categories that remained relatively consistent statewide. Average prices hovered around $31 per ton in the West and $30 per ton in the East, showing minimal regional difference compared to hardwood markets.
While Western North Carolina led in higher-quality hardwood, the same could not be said for low-value wood and pulpwood. By the end of the year, Western markets experienced a sharp downturn in these categories.
Between the first and fourth quarters, pine pulpwood prices in the West dropped approximately 44 percent. Hardwood pulpwood declined roughly 36 percent during the same period. These declines significantly impacted landowners focused on thinning operations or managing lower-quality stands.
Eastern North Carolina, however, told a different story. The fourth quarter brought substantial gains in pulpwood pricing. Pine pulpwood rose approximately $6 per ton, representing a 53 percent increase compared to first-quarter prices. Hardwood pulpwood increased about $3 per ton, or 51 percent, over the same timeframe.
On an annual average basis, pine pulpwood prices in the East were roughly 26 percent higher than in the West. Hardwood pulpwood prices averaged about 14 percent higher in Eastern North Carolina compared to Western markets.
The 2025 market emphasized the importance of product class and geography. Western North Carolina provided stronger opportunities for landowners selling higher-quality hardwood sawtimber. Eastern North Carolina proved more favorable for those moving lower-grade timber, particularly pine and hardwood pulpwood.
Mill demand, regional processing capacity, and transportation costs all play a role in shaping these outcomes. For landowners, understanding local conditions and timing harvests accordingly can make a meaningful difference in overall returns.
As we continue through 2026, monitoring quarterly price trends remains critical. Timber markets are dynamic, and what held true in 2025 may shift again. Careful planning and regional awareness remain key to maximizing the value of your timber asset.