Question about milling big log

[cj7jeep81]

I cut down a tree for a buddy of mine at work. It is some type of oak (thinking a burr oak or something similar). Diameter at base is 63", and the log is roughly 8'. Doesn't get much smaller at the top, but it is some. We've been working on cutting up all the branches into firewood, but not sure what to do with the trunk.

I'm using a stihl 460 for the bigger work. We'd really like to mill it into lumber (my dad does a lot of woodworking), but not sure what to do with this. I don't think the 460 could handle it, but would be open to the option of buying a bigger saw (if I could sell this one to fund it).

Would it be worth buying the equipment to mill something like this up? I have no idea what the slabs would be worth, but if we could cover our costs of buying the mill/saw upgrade, we'd consider it.

Tree has some rot in the base, but it only goes a couple feet up, so assuming the rest of the tree is pretty solid.

Thanks for any help!



View attachment 258702

 

[Dave Boyt]

My first reaction is "more firewood". It will not be economically feasible to convert the log into lumber UNLESS it has sentimental value that makes it worth more to the owner. If you want lumber from it, my advice is to quarter the log with your chain saw. I've done similar logs by standing them on end, then cutting down (see photo). The quarter logs can then be cut on a sawmill. You should get some nice quarter-sawn boards that way, but your investment in time will be high. Don't try to slab it. With that big hollow in the middle, it won't be worth it. The log in these photos are only half the size of yours, but it should give you an idea of what to expect. I normally wear chaps, but it was 104 degrees that day!

 

[DaltonPaull]

If you can find someone with a wide slabber or large CSM you could cut some awesome conference table sized slabs, possibly incorporating some of the crotches up above.

 

[brookpederson]

I vote Firewood. Looks too rotten for my taste.

 

[discounthunter]

you might get some nice figured chunks from the section with all the trunks attached. but i think slabs arent going to be do ible from the looks of that main trunk.

 

[Jim Timber]

I also vote quarter sawn, but I'd noodle it up first to see what's junk.

The top of the trunk will have some great figure for sure, but I agree with the skepticism on how much is rotted out based on that stump. Maybe you'll get lucky and it won't be cored out too high up, but I'd plan for a lot of damage.

 

[cj7jeep81]

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like its not worth the investment to buy all the stuff I'd need to mill it. My dad has enough firewood for probably 2 years so far with what we've got, so I was hoping it would be good for something else

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Just quartersaw it like Dave did above, then draw lines where you want a board out and free hand cut to the line with what you have.

Many years ago, i did exactly that to get the boards i wanted. It was easy cheeeep lumber!

SR

 

[cj7jeep81]

Just quartersaw it like Dave did above, then draw lines where you want a board out and free hand cut to the line with what you have.

Many years ago, i did exactly that to get the boards i wanted. It was easy cheeeep lumber!

SR

I really don't have any way to stand this thing up, and I know I don't have anywhere near the skill required to make a fairly straight cut that long (and from both sides).

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Cut 4' off the end, if it's rotted for 4', you can cut it on it's side of stand it up to cut it just like Dave did.

Just snap a chalk line on it and cut 3 inches deep on the line, then cut 3" deeper on the line until you get to the center. Roll it over, snap another line and start over.

Sure it takkes practise, but doesn't everything that's worth doing??

You can do it! Just give it a try, and you will have some boards to work with...

SR

 

[cj7jeep81]

We'll see when I get back out there. Still have a few more branches to cut off now that we got it off the stump. Its been a lot of tree to work with.

 

[TreeGuyHR]

Hi cj7:

Too bad i couldn't get these Ponderosa pine logs to you. I cut into my profit margin quite a bit on a crane removal of two beetle-infested trees -- it took an entire day to cut these (and more) into firewood, which the guy's neighbors carted away.

Let's see if I can get a pic here:

View attachment 260977

That's an 084 with a 42 in. bar; just long enough.

 

[qbilder]

I'm with Dave on how to mill it. That looks rock solid & great color for quartered boards. Wide slabs not so much. That rot will go much farther than you see so slabs are not a great idea. The boards you'll get from quarter sawing will be stunning and wide. There's as much work in firewood as there is in quartering it & having the quarters milled.