As of today’s post, the most recent quarterly timber stumpage price data available from Penn State University’s quarterly Timber Market Report is their “Second Quarter, 2025” release. We like to periodically analyze the Penn State reports and offer commentary and insights related to the trends we see, in hopes it provides our readers some value for their future decision making.
The following six charts illustrate the recent improvement we’ve observed, along with historical price trends for hardwood timber stumpage, using data from Pennsylvania University’s quarterly Timber Market Report. While several species are featured in Penn State’s report, we’ve focused on the six with the largest commercial impact on our region’s solid wood products industry. We noted the following regional and species trends:
- Comparing 2nd quarter prices to the 1st quarter of 2025, notable trends and movements are as follows: oak stumpage prices increased slightly in the southern half of the state, and decreased slightly up north; cherry prices fell in all parts of the state except the southeastern counties; hard maple prices fell in the northeast and southwestern counties, but have settled near the northwestern counties’ price; soft maple price movements were mixed; and yellow-poplar prices fell in the western part of the state and increased in the eastern counties.
- Comparing the 2nd quarter 2025 prices to the 2nd quarter of 2024, we see a few noteworthy year-over-year trends: prices in the northeast were generally 20-30% lower in early 2025 than the same time in 2024; in the southeastern counties, the 2nd quarter 2025 prices were slightly up compared to the same time last year for all regionally important species except soft maple; in the northwestern counties, year-over-year price movements were mixed, seeing reductions in cherry and the oaks, while prices increased for the maples; meanwhile, in the southwestern part of the state, the 2nd quarter 2025 prices were generally down compared to the same time last year for all species
Please keep in mind, that some quarter’s survey results contain very few responses. When that happens prices may appear volatile simply because of the small sample size. Also, despite the various quarterly and annual trends outlined above, high quality timber continues to attract strong interest from bidders throughout the regions of PA, NY, and WV, where we offer timber sale and land management services. It’s also important to note that the value of your unique stand of timber may differ widely from these multi-county averages, discussed further above. Pricing for your specific property’s timber is subject to ever-changing, highly-localized markets.
To read the full Second Quarter 2025 timber market survey on Penn State Extension’s website, click here.
For local, customized expertise regarding your unique property, we encourage you to work with one of our seasoned foresters. Contact us here. We can help.
