I have just recently finished building a house here in SW MO & we had to clear a lot of trees to get the lot ready. I have them stacked up in a corner of the property, thinking I will take them to a sawmill someday & get lumber made. I was wondering what size of log is the minimun for decent lumber? It is mostly red oak, with some walnut & hickory (I think). It may be that the most useful thing I could do is make firewood.
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Replies
A No. 1 saw log is usually 13" and better (chest high), you can saw smaller logs but ...
C.
I'm certainly no expert and others more knowledgable than me will probably chime in BUT---someday is not a good plan. In most cases the logs are best gotten to the mill (or vice-versa if that's an option) as soon as possible after falling. Once they start to check they will deteriorate quickly.
Best of luck; I hope you get lots of great wood out of them!!
Regards,
Mack
"Close enough for government work=measured with a micrometer, marked with chalk and cut with an axe"
A few years ago I had to fell two ash tree's out back in my woods. They produced about 6 or 7 butt logs 8' long and maybe 12" in diameter. I took them to a friend who was paying a guy to bring in his Wood Mizer band saw to cut up some other logs. I paid $60 for my time with the saw to cut up my logs. The resulting lumber was of very high quality and is worth several times more than I what I have into it. Plus there is the satisfaction of making something from your own tree's.
I agree with the other post indicating the need for speed. If you can't get them to a sawmill right away, you might consider tossing them into a pond to keep them from drying out and end-checking. But do keep them clean. Mud, gravel, or the like is hard on blades when planking them out.
Hey
A lot of unknowns in your question. 10-12" butt dia is about my minimum. But then with those species perhaps you have some figured or tight ringed logs smaller than that. Never know for sure until you open it up......If you have a large bandsaw in your shop you can have some cut into 3-4" thick flitches for slow drying for future re-sawing. Not everything needs to be 1" or square edged. Air dried is a nicer final product if you have the space and patience anyway. As others indicate don't let it sit on the ground or stacked too long in any case. Wish you were close by and I would drag my mill over and help you solve your problem. Check around with buddies to see if someone they know has a portable mill...
Have fun!
There is a mill over by Chadwick they might be able to give you some feed back on this question. As soon as it warms up a few degrees go over there and check them out, have a chat with them. I do not know the name or number of the place, but it is right on the highway easy to find. Good luck.
If it is HICKORY.. Split NOW when still green wood! Just split for what arrives to you!
Hickory is a wonderful wood for whatever.. Especially for chairs..
No, I usually use Oak for chars. Hickory for laminated archery bows..
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