Very Large White Oak

[B-Edwards]

This White Oak fell last year about 20 feet past my property line. I fugured someone would get it for firewood but when I spoke with the owner he had told all who asked "if you get any of it you get all of it". I have been in tree work for twenty years and know you need to be cautious cuttung this thing up. It is very close to the property line and people have to cross my property to get to it. So I told the fellow I would take care of it as I have equipment there and holes to put the stump in. The tree is right at eight feet in diameter at chest height but it is also hollow at the bottom and has been struck by lightning. I am guessing the tree is around five hundred years old + -. I want to get some boards out of it as I am building a house within a few hundred feet of the tree. I know I can get a few logs out of some branches but no-one here has anything that can touch the trunk .

Wanted to ask you guys for any ideas or suggestions. The tree falling was like someone dieing to me. We dont have many trees like this left around here and I'd like to use some of the wood to do something to honor the tree. I know it sounds silly but thats what I want to do. I appreciate any ideas or suggestions. Thanks

 

[B-Edwards]

I do some saw carving also (not that good) but keep that in mind. I will also post this in the carving section.

 

[Manuka Jock]

Pit saw it :biggrinbounce2:

 

[mtngun]

Nice tree.

Well, what kind of equipment do you have and how much are you willing to spend ?

An Alaskan with a 6 foot bar would prolly do the job. But, I don't have 6 foot bar, and they are expensive, so I'm not going to buy one.

So.......if the tree were mine, I'd quarter it with my 36" bar, either freehand or with a mini-mill. Once quartered, it could be milled with conventional tools, either an Alaskan or a bandmill.

That's a big project. Just limbing, bucking, and turning the logs -- without anyone getting hurt -- will be a major accomplishment.

The giant tree is probably more trouble than it is worth, from a dollars and cents perspective, but it would be cool to build your house with local materials that would otherwise go to waste. Take lots of pictures. You'll have a nice story to tell your grandkids.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Brmorgan]

Pit saw it :biggrinbounce2:

opcorn:

I'd hate to do it but would love to see it! Too bad trees don't grow as depicted in that painting/engraving/litho or whatever it is.

What you need is the mint 090G posted by Beefie just recently. It would make short work of that monster. Honestly to mill it I'd be tempted to leave it sitting up on the big limbs that are holding it up already and mill it as-is, unless there's some major advantage to turning the log(s). Having said that it is on your neighbor's property, so he might not want you making a big mess of sawdust there. Looking forward to whatever you do with it; that's a mammoth tree.

 

[gandrimp]

I have a tree about the same size still standing on my dads farm thats needs to come down. Hated to see it die.
You'll have a rootwad that will be hard to move, but at least theres no dirt on it.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Those are the size logs swing mills were designed for. Find a swinger, and he will mill it for you...

Rob

 

[RVALUE]

This White Oak fell last year about 20 feet past my property line. I fugured someone would get it for firewood but when I spoke with the owner he had told all who asked "if you get any of it you get all of it". I have been in tree work for twenty years and know you need to be cautious cuttung this thing up. It is very close to the property line and people have to cross my property to get to it. So I told the fellow I would take care of it as I have equipment there and holes to put the stump in. The tree is right at eight feet in diameter at chest height but it is also hollow at the bottom and has been struck by lightning. I am guessing the tree is around five hundred years old + -. I want to get some boards out of it as I am building a house within a few hundred feet of the tree. I know I can get a few logs out of some branches but no-one here has anything that can touch the trunk .

Wanted to ask you guys for any ideas or suggestions. The tree falling was like someone dieing to me. We dont have many trees like this left around here and I'd like to use some of the wood to do something to honor the tree. I know it sounds silly but thats what I want to do. I appreciate any ideas or suggestions. Thanks

I would agree, that is a very large (presumably) white oak.

 

[mikeb1079]

i'll second sawyer robs idea, try to find a swingmill operator in your area. try posting to the nearest craigslist. a tree that special should generate interest. i don't know what saws you have, but if you have a 100+cc saw, there's an 8 foot bar on ebay now for just over $200. either way, it would be really cool to make something out of a tree like that. as you said, there aren't many of those around anymore. keep us posted.

 

[Brmorgan]

Those are the size logs swing mills were designed for. Find a swinger, and he will mill it for you...

Rob

Yep, I think he can get it done:

 

[BobL]

What you need is the mint 090G posted by Beefie just recently. It would make short work of that monster. Honestly to mill it I'd be tempted to leave it sitting up on the big limbs that are holding it up already and mill it as-is,

I reckon very big logs like this should be sitting firmly on the ground before putting a mill near them. Even on the ground something this big will probably need 3-4 ft of scaffolding to be able to reach it with a CS mill, but if the tree is laying on it's limbs that scaffolding might need to be 2 or 3 times higher again. Handling a big CS mill up and down that height is not easy. The worst thing is if that sucker moved while it was being milled . . . . .

 

[gemniii]

Looks like a good spot for a CSM GTG project.

 

[little possum]

Wow that tree is HUGE.

Where at in NC are you, I may could lend a hand if you needed help.

A CSM would be about the only way to cut that one up wouldnt it? I know ol circle mills have a limit, and my buddies mill they cant run anything over 36" diameter.

 

[julian 1973]

I'd try to quarter it first then get it to a bandsaw mill and get as many quartersawn boards out of it as possible.

 

[B-Edwards]

I have an 084 and 066 for saws but a three foot bar is the largest I have. Equipment , have a skidsteer that I can probably turn the log with as it would turn downhill. I will have a large track hoe this summer to handle the stump so its not a problem. I can make a pile of sawdust there that also is not a problem. I am at liberty to do pretty much anything I want, as a matter of fact the fellow told me to use the property as it were mine. He knows I'll take better care than he does and I surround it. I am not sure how much sound wood is there buy I do know the very bottom is hollow or has decayed wood. This is going to be a challenge I know. I have been busting my brain trying to figure out things to do with the wood. If hollow on up the tree then maybe it will be easier to maybe get some quartered stuff or at least make a pile of firewood. I have thought of things like making a bench out of a solid piece, huge flower pot, bottom of a fake well, but those are things that wont last. I appreciate all the replies and if you have anymore please lets hear them. Thanks again.

 

[little possum]

Best advice I have is be careful messing with that tree.
And make sure to get lots of pictures when you tackle it.

You dont really know what you can do with the wood until you get the first cut made. Or at least find a place that isnt rotten.

Any chance it was around a old homeplace?

 

[logging22]

Big tree. Have fun with that.

 

[DRB]

If it is 8 feet across as it looks like it is. You have got to cut a few slabs for a table top. Even if it's up the tree aways to get away from the rot 50" across with lots of character knots would be cool.

You have the 084 all you need is a 6 foot bar an Alaskan mill and have fun for a few days.

I would set up my 088 and go at it if I had the chance.

I cut up a large Ponderosa Pine last year for table tops but now I am also thinking of one piece interior doors as well.

Be careful cutting that tree up as the branches are going to be like cutting down small trees and if things start to move you are likey going to get hurt.

 

[little possum]

If I had a mill set up for my 72" Id definitely try to come help.
Table tops would be awesome

But plenty of firewood in there too

 

[huskyhank]

Where in North Carolina are you?
I'd love to help cut a big tree like that if you're on the western side of the state.