black walnut tree for free - how to harvest

I recently bought Lonnie Bird's "The Bandsaw Book" in anticipation of getting a bandsaw for myself. It's got some information about milling raw logs. I skimmed over that section since it's not in my immediate future, but he built a sled to mill logs.

Hopefully you'll get some links to good info online.

-Greg Vaughn

Bob wrote:>50 feet tall, 10"-12" trunk at the ground, 7"-8" 15 feet up. Straight as an

Save as much of the rootball and above (at least a few feet) as you can in one piece. Seems like there's the most desirable part. Build a sled to run the rest of it through your bandsaw. Figure for some quartersawn pieces! (Lucky dog!) Tom Work at your leisure!

If you want maximum yield, have a sawmill do the job.

The increased yield will more than offset the sawmill cost.

Lew

With a tree that big, the pounds quickly become tons. This is not a job for an amateur. Here in Maine there are plenty of small sawmills that will be glad to load the tree on their truck, take to the mill, cut as directed and deliver the wood to you for drying. I had a similar situation six years ago, the wood is still under cover drying. Dave

Agree - Unless your are equipped to handle it this might turn into a back and bandsaw breaker. If you are going to try it yourself get at least one able-bodied helper.

Check local yellow pages for saw mill or hardwood dealer. A dealer might be able to send you to an area sawmill. You might even find someone who can kiln dry it. Otherwise clear some space for long term air drying. The wife might not agree but at some point you might bring boards inside (good dry, heated basement?) for stacking. Remember, each board should stacked and spearated from others to allow air to reach all surfaces.

I'm no expert, but I have done a couple of trees in this fashion. With that in mind...

First of all, it's a lot of work! This stuff is HEAVY and unwieldy!

As soon as possible, within HOURS, you should coat all end-grain cuts with a sealer. I have been using paraffin dissolved in mineral spirits, but there are several commercial products on the market. They are rather pricey. From what I understand, latex paint is the least desirable product to use, but it is better than nothing. Asphalt/tar based roofing products are usable as well, but make a huge mess on your tools. This is necessary to reduce/eliminate cracking and checking of the wood. There is an interesting PDF available from the US Forestry Department (FPL-GTR-118) at:

Other interesting things to read at:

After this is done, you can relax somewhat and cut the remainder at your leisure - within reason. Keep the cut sections out of the direct sun, off the ground, and watch for insects and fungi.

Make a jig that will hold the uneven lengths of trunk flat on the bandsaw. This can be as simple as a 2x6 screwed to the side of the log, shimmed with door shims to level and secure. Then with outfeed and infeed tables, cut these heavy suckers into planks with a good, clean 5/8 x 3TPI hook & steep-set raker blade. Timberwolf makes a good one designed for green wood. Ceramic blade guides seem to work well here, as they tend to rake the sap and muck from the blade while cutting - in addition to keeping the blade aligned and temperatures down.

Your method of cutting is up to you, you can try to read the grain and slab into the most desirable grain, but after you try cutting one of these, you'll probably be glad to just get it over with... ;-) Quarter-sawn, Flat-sawn, it's all up to you and how much effort you want to put into the job!

If the wood is of some value, you might consider using a commercial sawmill. They can do a good job much faster, and with less waste.

FWIW,

Greg G.

Thanks for all the great tips. I have secured a pickup truck but no able bodied helper. Hopefully, I can lean and slide the logs into the truck. I do have a heated, humidity free basement that should be adequate for air drying. The owner informed me he already cut the trunk at the places I had pointed out that I would cut it. Damn, I hope he did it right. Oh well, it's free wood and it's walnut. Going over there Saturday with my chainsaw. I offered to clean up the residue in exchange for the wood.

Bob

I have had several trees cut down on my property that I wanted to make into 1" thick boards. Turns out that there is a guy that has a portable saw mill in my area. He pulls it behind his pickup truck and charges a very reasonable rate. Look in the Yellow Pages or ask around the lumber yards or wood-working stores to find out if there is someone in your area who would do the same.

Rich Durkee