how do i harvest a tree for milling?

[izod]

I had a nice sized red oak go down some time last week and I want to try and get it milled. I would prefer to wait till this fall or winter but it's blocking my main trail so i want to try and get it out of the way sooner than later.

The base of the trunk is a little over 6 feet for the circumference and measuring down 20 feet it drops to about a 5 foot circumferential. The trunk is over 28 feet long to the first split and is fairly straight.

What i'm unsure about is what lengths i should go about cutting it up for someone to mill. I tried searching the forum a little but have no idea what i should be searching for. anyone have some suggestions of reads on this type of issue?

Thanks for the help.

View attachment 243804

 

[Dave Boyt]

Do you have plans for the lumber? If so, that would be a factor. Generally, cut even-foot + 4", from 8' to 16' ( 8'4", 10'4", etc.). The butt (bottom) log usually has the best quality lumber. For a 28' log, I'd go with two 10'4" logs (bottom logs) and an 8'4" log (top log). Other options: two 14'4" logs or a 16'4" and a 12'4" log. Good luck. You should get some nice lumber out of it.

 

[gemniii]

The base of the trunk is a little over 6 feet for the circumference and measuring down 20 feet it drops to about a 5 foot circumferential. The trunk is over 28 feet long to the first split and is fairly straight.

What i'm unsure about is what lengths i should go about cutting it up for someone to mill. I tried searching the forum a little but have no idea what i should be searching for. anyone have some suggestions of reads on this type of issue?

You should first find who is going to mill it and what they want for lengths.
Take into consideration how you/they are going to move it.

I see a tiny green lawntractor.

An 11' log will weigh about 1500lbs Timber and Lumber Calculators at WOODWEB .

Sad to say, but for 1 nice tree < 2' DBH you might have trouble getting someone to come mill it. And like Dave wrote - think thru the end result. If you want a 16' mantlepiece, you'd better have a 17' piece.

 

[discounthunter]

the butt looks to have rot in it. how far up it goes will reflect on the quality/quantity of wood.

 

[Mad Professor]

As it is off the ground in the shade let it be until you are prepared to mill it.

Get someone with some experience to buck it up as that is a lot of weight still in the air.

Have some anchorseal handy to endcoat the logs as soon as they are bucked. As mentioned buck a little longer than the boards/beams you want. If there is rot, start bucking at the bottom and take off chunks until you hit solid wood.

Talk to your miller as to how close he can get to mill things and/or where to have the logs staged.

May want to find an experienced hobbyist miller as 2-3 logs is a small job and you might be able to trade wood for milling.

Lots of good firewood in the top.