Cherry milling help

[MorningW00d]

Hey guys i'm not real familiar with milling, only tree removal. I have several nice straight cherries i was thinking about taking to a local guy that does some milling instead of making them into firewood. basically i don't know whether people mill the wood as soon as it's cut or wait for it to dry. Also, how much money are they worth approximately(i think they go by board foot but i really don't know)? The trees are about 24" at the base and i'm here in western Pennsylvania. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[smokinj]

Hard to say whats it worth grade is everything. Selling it is another as well. Cherry around here is going for 5.00 a board foot. But that plained dryed no checks.

 

[Mad Professor]

I had trees bucked like that and skidded to the road, local mills offered cordwood prices. That when I brought a logosol mill....


Anyway, leave things standing until you need them. Immediately upon bucking the logs end coat them with anchorseal. Cherry will tolerate standing on the ground bucked longer than a lot of species, the sapwood can be completely rotted but the the heartwood will be fine.

I Flat saw cherry and try to edge out the sapwood of all wane, the heartwood is where it is at. You can leave sapwood on then edge it out later

 

[Timberframed]

Years ago I worked with a logger in Central PA. Some of the cherry harvested was milled for cabinet/furniture grade stock. Some was firewood. Some, however, was select veneer grade making a $200 dollar log worth $3,000 or more! Some of the world's finest Cherry veneers come from (or used to) the PA wilds. I can't tell you from here if it is or isn't. Only a veneer guy can. Try these guys [Thorwart Veneer and Export Logs] Chances are slim but ya just never know. There was a veneer mill in MD back in the 80's one of 10 in the world. Whether it still operates I don't know.

 

[MorningW00d]

Thanks a lot for the help guys. I'll try to find a couple people local to compare prices. I just don't want to get screwed out of money.

Years ago I worked with a logger in Central PA. Some of the cherry harvested was milled for cabinet/furniture grade stock. Some was firewood. Some, however, was select veneer grade making a $200 dollar log worth $3,000 or more! Some of the world's finest Cherry veneers come from (or used to) the PA wilds. I can't tell you from here if it is or isn't. Only a veneer guy can. Try these guys [Thorwart Veneer and Export Logs] Chances are slim but ya just never know. There was a veneer mill in MD back in the 80's one of 10 in the world. Whether it still operates I don't know.

I went to their website and they're only 2 hours northeast of my house. I'll definitely keep them in mind and contact them when it comes to cutting time, because it looks to be some real nice cherry. Those veneer prices would really help with all these college expenses, or a 440 magnum haha.

 

[Timberframed]

That's what I was thinking. Welcome to the site. TF

 

[Timberframed]

By the way. Don't fell them and call them days after. They need to be there the day they fall. He will then take a spray bottle with a solution in it (Which I will not disclose the contents-organic and harmless to the surroundings) and hit the but. Look at it...pause.. and then tell you in a minute if it's good for veneer or not. Be wise to this! I saw one log in the wild go for $10,000. Could have been firewood. Our job in a way is to conserve and cycle it back. Those of us that are conscientious about it anyway. You young guys out there with big ass brand new chainsaws that think after reading this you're going to jump on a wagon and hit gold like they tried to do in the 60's and 70's with the Atlantic Big Bluefin Tuna, forget it and forget it now! Just sayin' TF

 

[MorningW00d]

I'll read up on the process so i know what he's looking for when he does that spray and hit thing. Right now i only have a 445, but strive to be the kid with an 880 and cuts 2 trees a year. Can't take money to the grave. Thanks for the help!