200 year old oak down.

[johnking]

I have had part of an oak fall from the neighbors property onto mine. The oak stradles the property line so I figure what fell on my property is mine. Correct me if I am wrong. This oak is at least 200(probably much older) years old and has a large amount of branches(tree sized). I would like to sell or make lumber for my future home rather than fire wood. Who do you call and what is the process? I will post pics later.

 

[sdboers]

Look in the classifieds or google for a portable sawmill in your area. Much easier to bring a portable mill to the tree than the other way around. A portable mill and operator will likely cost you $40 to $70 an hour with a minimum fee. I recommend finding a bandsaw mill.

Flatsawn is the easiest to do and will produce the most useable lumber. Think of projects you have in mind and get the lumber sawn accordingly. I generally like to have it sawn at 5/4.

You will need to dry the lumber before using it. Rule of thumb is 1 year of air drying per inch of thickness. You could also pay to have it kilned. Either way - you will want to acclimate it inside you house as a final step before building with it.

You can check out 301 Moved Permanently for my lame personal woodworking site. Click the "It's Milling Time" link on the left to see pics of the process.

Below that is a link called "making wood" which I put together to explain to some friends the steps to turn rough cut lumber into useable wood for furniture.

Sean

 

[dave1949]

What portion of the tree is legally yours depends on your state laws. Here, it doesn't matter where it falls if it was on the boundary, it is still jointly owned by you and the neighbor.

 

[kf4uda]

What portion of the tree is legally yours depends on your state laws. Here, it doesn't matter where it falls if it was on the boundary, it is still jointly owned by you and the neighbor.

Same here.

 

[fordmantpw]

I have had part of an oak fall from the neighbors property onto mine. The oak stradles the property line so I figure what fell on my property is mine. Correct me if I am wrong. This oak is at least 200(probably much older) years old and has a large amount of branches(tree sized). I would like to sell or make lumber for my future home rather than fire wood. Who do you call and what is the process? I will post pics later.

Really? Where I'm from, we discuss with the neighbor to work something out. We don't worry about whose it is, we worry about who can use the wood or who has the tools to clean it up. Geez!

 

[mikehaugen]

Really? Where I'm from, we discuss with the neighbor to work something out. We don't worry about whose it is, we worry about who can use the wood or who has the tools to clean it up. Geez!

I agree, same here...

But I understand we can't choose our neighbors and some are more stubborn/greedy than others and that's when laws need to be considered. I've been lucky with my neighbors so far.

 

[fordmantpw]

I agree, same here...

But I understand we can't choose our neighbors and some are more stubborn/greedy than others and that's when laws need to be considered. I've been lucky with my neighbors so far.

Yeah, I guess you are right. Some people are just jerks. I have been very fortunate as well with our neighbors as well.

 

[LD1]

NOt sure what the question is concerning??

Are you ask "Who do you call and what is the process?

Are you asking about the legal mater of who owns the wood?

OR are you already assuming it is yours and asking about the processing/milling of the wood?

 

[ultrarunner]

Really? Where I'm from, we discuss with the neighbor to work something out. We don't worry about whose it is, we worry about who can use the wood or who has the tools to clean it up. Geez!

Here you would have to pay to have it haul to the landfill/recycling center...

Sad State when a heritage oak falls out on field and no one wants it...

 

[JimRB]

Construction lumber is made from trunks. Firewood is made from branches. From that generalized statement I believe the reason is branches have grain that lends itself to bend and twist while the trunk wood tends to stay straight. It took me a while to find an article to support my theory. Stephan Woodworking - Trees and Lumber