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A friend of mine who’s about 200 miles away called me last night ’cause he heard about some black walnut a farmer wants to sell. Tree fell down recently. Diameters range from 16″ down to 6″, lengths of about 4 feet. I need to pass along info to my friend so he can ask the right questions and determine whether it’s worth going out to look at and bargain for the wood — he’ll have to do it, as I can’t get over there. Of no help is the fact that I’ve yet to attempt my first log-to-usable-lumber venture! Perhaps y’all would be willing to help.
Here are my questions to you experts:
What’s the minimum diameter likely to be worth messing with? I’m thinking that 6″D = firewood.
Evidently there is some central rot (sapwood, I guess) in the tree. Is that likely to kill any chance of the outer wood being good for lumber?
I think it’s a pretty fresh fall, but what would be the maximum “downtime” you’d consider? Weather is cold and relatively dry over there, some snow.
What’s a reasonable price to pay for the raw wood if it’s moderately good stuff? If there’s burl available?
Any other pertinent questions?
b THANKS!
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I think the farmer should pay your friend to get rid of it for him. If it fell down of it's own accord, then the whole thing is probably rotten and not worth a plug nickel. 16" diameter would leave little heartwood and if the center is bad, then there is nothing left!
Walnut heartwood can last a long time on the ground.
*Yeah, I'm with Mike on this one.The minimum diameter for me would be 12" and that bark would have to be near perfect.Time? This time of year a couple months tops and I'd look very closely at the log ends for checking. It's a shame the the log was bucked out at 4 foot lengths, another demerit.A reasonable price would be free. If the tree was a yard tree I'd pass on it altogether. Yard trees have a funny penchant for eye bolts, nails, insulators and other things that can destroy sawblades at the mill.Lee
*The mills are paying about 30 cent a bd. ft. standing. (figuring about 30% waste) they wont touch anything less than 12 inches and less than 9 foot long. (by the way the small end determines the diameter) yard trees or fence line trees are worthless to them. You have firewood.
*I've forwarded your comments on. I was not terribly optimistic about this from the get-go, and was also disappointed the pieces were so short. Thanks.
*If you like to turn there may be a few nice pieces .Frank
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