Storm: What to do with downed Red Oak Trees.

[KRBrouwer]

I am in the process of doing something similar. I found information on Craigslist (services, then search sawmill). The going price seemed to be 25-40 cents per board foot. The individual with a portable mill would not come out for less that 10 trees, and 30" diameter was the largest he could handle. The other individual could pick them up and cut them at his mill. I have about six eight foot sections that are from 24 to 30" in diameter and was hoping to have beams for fireplace mantels cut from them for my three sons to use when they have a house built.

Ken

 

[ruralruss]

Don't know where you are in Indiana but Edinburgh has (had) a veneer mill. They might be able to help. I spent my first 23 years in SE Indiana.

 

[GLyford]

A couple of weeks ago a storm downed 5 big oak trees on my property. I would sure hate to make firewood out of these trees

I have a lumbermill near me that has a 4' diameter red oak log 12' long as a conversation piece in front of their office. When I asked them about it, they said that as soon as the tree is down and starts to dry out, that beetles and other bugs are drawn to it. The log had been down for a few weeks and was pretty much guaranteed to be "wormy" oak at best and not worth their time and electric bill to saw. They said the only way to prevent that was to put up a sprinkler on the log the moment it was down and keep it wet until it got to the mill.

If you're after commercial value, firewood may be your best bet. If you're just doing it to have wood to play with and don't mind the wormy look, then there's no harm in having someone come out with a band mill...but they may not want to work for a share of the wood--you may have to pay them cash instead.

If you just wanted to experiment, how about setting up one of those chainsaw "alaska" mills for a few boards and see what you get?

 

[Kapnfriday]

Our cabin has red oak flooring that is called cabin grade due to extensive worm holes and other defects. I think it looks great - we get a lot of compliments on it. That said, red oak is very nice to split. Love the smell.

 

[dave1949]

Our cabin has red oak flooring that is called cabin grade due to extensive worm holes and other defects. I think it looks great - we get a lot of compliments on it. That said, red oak is very nice to split. Love the smell. View attachment 276973

Looks nice. I like wood with character too.

 

[Furu]

There are a lot of us out here with portable mills. I am certain that you can find one in your area. I am a bit far away to help.

 

[edlegault]

If that red oak is the same as the red oak here in Kalifornia, then it makes real good bar-b-q wood at $350-$400 per cord. :licking:

 

[crbr]

Thanks for the pictures

 

[indianaEPH]

I fold a portible mill operator that would cut these trees up. Now I have to figure out what to cut them into.....lumber or cabin logs.

 

[dave1949]

I fold a portible mill operator that would cut these trees up. Now I have to figure out what to cut them into.....lumber or cabin logs.

Food for thought.

http://www.esf.edu/scme/wus/documents/WoodSpeciesGuide.pdf
Expert advice: Choosing the correct wood species p5 - LogHome.com
log cabins: types of wood to use? - WOODWEB's Forestry Forum