DEAR SUN SPOTS: My property has a lot of poplar and pin cherry trees that I’d like to have removed. Would they be valuable to loggers feeding biomass boilers or those who make wood pellets? Thank you for all you do. — Looking for Sunlight, Greene

ANSWER: Sun Spots started the research for your question with a call to the arborist who does the work on her 15 acres. Dale said that while there is a market for biomass wood, such as what you have, that the price is such that it is unlikely to cover the cost of cutting and removing the wood.

Dale said that he takes brush, small trees and the “slash” (leftover branches from cutting down a large tree) to local transfer stations, which take (and hopefully sell) the wood to biomass businesses. The transfer stations he uses don’t charge him for this, but he said some do, most notably Augusta.

He said that there is a limitation on the size of the wood you can drop off for this use, usually five inches in diameter.

Sun Spots called your transfer station and spoke to Bob, who said they do indeed take the brush. They have two outlets. They take some to KTI Bio Fuels LP in Lewiston. Some of the other wood is chopped and sold as mulch. Bob said they don’t charge residents for dropping off brush and clean wood. (This does not include wood that has been treated, such as painted, pressure treated or wood composites.)

Sun Spots called KTI to see if they’d buy the wood directly from you, but was told they actually charge residents to drop it off.

Sun Spots also looked into the wood pellet industry. She called Maine Woods Pellet Co. in Athens and was referred to the trucking company, Linkletter and Sons, that handles the pellet company’s wood purchases. She talked to Jean there, who said they do buy wood from individuals, but that there has to be a sufficient quantity for it to be cost effective to send out the logging equipment. She said generally there must be at least 10 acres of woods, although if they happen to be in an area they might log a smaller area.

The pellets are made out of both hard and soft wood, and Jean said there is no kind of tree that they won’t use.

You didn’t specify how many trees you have, but Sun Spots is guessing from your question that it’s probably not enough to cover the labor of cutting and hauling away the trees, especially if your trees are small and there are only a few of them. If those caveats don’t apply, you could call a logger and get his informed opinion.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Sunday, Aug. 14 (rain date Aug. 21), a picnic will be held at the Togus Veterans Hospital. Usually there are 200-plus antique and collectible cars as well as 200 to 300 motorcycles that parade in about 10:15 to 10:30 a.m. for the enjoyment of the the patients, staff and on lookers.

The lunch will be barbecued chicken or hot dogs and hamburgers with the fixings. Each person is asked for a donation for the meal, which goes to the recreation fund for the veterans living at Togus.

Everyone is invited to honor both the veterans at the hospital as well as those that attend. If you would like to go directly to Togus and not get tied up in the parade, you may join the group in Lewiston, leaving Marden’s parking lot at 8:30. Bring your friends and loved ones to enjoy the celebration.

Please remember to be respectful of the veterans and the vehicles and motorcycles brought for everyone to enjoy. — Deb Desjardins, [email protected]

DEAR SUN SPOTS: To the lady who found my black purse at Taber’s on June 25, thank you. There should be more people like you in this world. — No Name via email

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to [email protected].