Looking for someone near Houston, TX that can mill a monster oak ~ 60+ "

MarshMonster · Dec 1, 2014

I work for a real estate developer and we bought some property in the central business district. In the middle of the parking lot is a huge oak tree. It's at least 60" across-possible more. I'd like to mill the trunk so that we can have some furniture built for the clubhouse of this future multifamily site, as well as have a cross section to show how old it is for educational purposes. Seems to me it's too large for a traditional portable band mill, but if there is one we can set up on site and mill without having to transport these gigantic logs.

Any recommendations or suggestions?

MarshMonster · Dec 1, 2014

This is some really bad pictures. The first is from a distance and shows the crotch height. The second gives an idea of the base size.

Jim Timber · Dec 1, 2014

Two problems off the top of my head - first is that is likely hollow in the middle of the trunk. Second, that's an urban "yard" tree and it might have all kinds of metal in it and a sawyer is going to charge you for any blades/chains they wreck.

Since the tree is being removed anyway, you should get an auger bit about 3' long and bore in horizontally just above the ground and see how deep you get before it punks out.

You'll probably get some nice wood up in the top, so I'm not trying to discourage you from pursuing milling it. There's not much straight growth on that tree, which will pose other problems for a sawyer. It would be a job for someone with a chainsaw mill, if you can find someone willing to do it.

TPA · Dec 1, 2014

It's a typical Texas live oak. You will not see anything spectacular as far as grain structure. You will also have many issues with warping and splitting while drying.

betterbuilt · Dec 2, 2014

Don't get discouraged. It's a large tree. I've milled a few similar logs with varying results. I milled one in Syracuse,NY that was so full of metal I only got one slab out of it. ruined three chains and walked away defeated. That being said I've milled other yard trees that you would have guessed they would be full of steel, concrete, Etc and never hit anything. It's really hard to say without trying. I'd give it a go, if I was closer.

SDB777 · Dec 5, 2014

Right now, I'd say the biggest problem for the milling of this tree......it's still standing. Looks to be a parking lot? Are you removing the tree and the parking lot to build something? It's a really nice tree, and if it's not dying and provides shade for a parking lot in Texas, and you're not putting a building in that spot...I'd think the value of a shaded parking lot would generally be a 'selling point'?

Looks like you're going to need a professional arborist to come in and take the tree down(you stated business district, not sure how close everything else is to the tree, because big on bottom typically means too tall to just drop). Once the arborist finishes, you'll need to seal the ends of the pieces you want to have milled(I'd use AnchorSeal).

I'm sure there is someone in the Texas area that is close.
If it were me, I'd have to inspect the tree for metal, and then draw up an agreement concerning metal that get found(breaks my stuff) and a cost for set-up/milling cost.

Scott (good luck with your project) B