Is this pecan log worth anything?

[tallyho8]

Reading N80's post about his pine log inspired me to ask the forum if my pecan log is worth anything. I hate top just cut it up for firewood if it might be usable for some other purpose.

It is about 24 feet long and roughly 18" thick. There is a slight bend at the 12' mark and cutting it there would leave 2 relatively straight 12" pieces.

Many people think it is the very best wood for BBQ and smoking but I have plenty of smaller pieces for these purposes.

I would rather give it away than cut it for firewood but I won't advertise any free pecan wood on Craigslist because when I do I have people calling me all day long wanting to know if I will deliver it and stack it for free also.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I wish it was mine, but I live too far away... It would go on my BSM in a heart beat!

SR

 

[Einthewoods]

Find a wood chipper you can borrow or rent....put the chips in gallon zip lock bags or reused plastic shopping bags for a couple bucks each. I'd buy several from you if I saw it on the side of the road for sale.

 

[dstig1]

As lumber? I don't see a good long clear length without branches. Doubt it is worth much as lumber unless you can mill it yourself and work around branches and defects. And then that still doesn't make it valuable as in for-sale, but lumber that you can use for "free"

 

[Doofy]

Darn! Mouth was watering, thought this was a food thread.

 

[TnAndy]

As lumber? I don't see a good long clear length without branches. Doubt it is worth much as lumber unless you can mill it yourself and work around branches and defects. And then that still doesn't make it valuable as in for-sale, but lumber that you can use for "free"

I'd agree...too many side branches to make it much in the way of lumber from what I can see. Might have a saw log down at the end toward the cane patch. Like hickory, it's close cousin, it's a very hard wood....hard on saw blades and other woodworking tools, but often makes very pretty lumber with a lot of streaking between the heart and sap wood.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Pecan is wonderful for woodworking, and makes beautiful furniture or trim. It's sort of a cross between Walnut and Oak; it nearly as hard as Red Oak, but it works like Walnut, at least the indigenous stuff around here. And...it is excellent BBQ smoking wood; I use it in combination with Black Jack Oak and Mesquite. It's a good substitute for Hickory.
It will get borers in it if it sit around very long though.

 

[2ndhalf]

Darn! Mouth was watering, thought this was a food thread.

Ha Ha me too ... mmmmmmmmmmmmmm Pecan logs I love em... Honey I'm running to TSC for something! : )

 

[/pine]

...It's a good substitute for Hickory....

FWIW...Pecan is a hickory...and is my favorite for smoking fish and meats...

 

[2LaneCruzer]

FWIW...Pecan is a hickory...and is my favorite for smoking fish and meats...

I'll go along with that. The Hickory nut and the Pecan are different varieties of course, and the wood, at least around here, is a bit different. Hickory is much harder and more fibrous, at least as far as woodworking is concerned, and look a bit different when finished...both are similar for smoking though. I use Pecan more than Hickory, primarily because I have made use of local sources of Pecan...Hickory is hard to come by here in the central part of the state.

Have you ever used Black Jack Oak? I use it a lot; usually a mixture of Mesquite, Black Jack and Pecan. Don't use fruit woods much, although they are available. They are rather mild in flavor and don't contribute much when you use Mesquite.

 

[/pine]

I'll go along with that. The Hickory nut and the Pecan are different varieties of course, and the wood, at least around here, is a bit different. Hickory is much harder and more fibrous, at least as far as woodworking is concerned, and look a bit different when finished...both are similar for smoking though. I use Pecan more than Hickory, primarily because I have made use of local sources of Pecan...Hickory is hard to come by here in the central part of the state.

Have you ever used Black Jack Oak? I use it a lot; usually a mixture of Mesquite, Black Jack and Pecan. Don't use fruit woods much, although they are available. They are rather mild in flavor and don't contribute much when you use Mesquite.

Roger that...I am not familiar with "black jack oak"...I find pecan a little sweeter than typical hickory, like to mix it with oak for pork...I like to use post oak for smoking brisket but it is harder to find here than other species...will look for black jack...

 

[Sawyer Rob]

One of the HUGE misconceptions is, you have to have a clear branch free log to make good lumber!

I have worked with the "so called" defects, to make beautiful furniture...

SR

 

[Timm250]

The bark on the log in the picture looks like white oak. All of the pecans I have seen around here have a dark bark similar to walnut.

 

[TnAndy]

Used to work in a furniture factory for a bit. They made and sold a lot of 'pecan' furniture. I would wonder "who would cut down a good nut tree like pecan for lumber? " That question was solved when I was sent to work back in the 'rough end' for a while....where the raw lumber comes in the door and is worked up into pieces.

It came in the back door as hickory, and left the front door as pecan. Pure magic between those doors....

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Roger that...I am not familiar with "black jack oak"...I find pecan a little sweeter than typical hickory, like to mix it with oak for pork...I like to use post oak for smoking brisket but it is harder to find here than other species...will look for black jack...

Quercus marilandica - Wikipedia

 

[/pine]

Quercus marilandica - Wikipedia

I will remember this, thanks for mentioning bj. oak...like post oak it is scarce around here but does exist...got all the hickory, white, red and chestnut oak I want but I have to buy pecan chips it's not common here in the mountains...in FL I mostly used buttonwood and pecan...until buttonwood (black mangrove) became protected.

 

[EddieWalker]

A guy about an hour North of me has a mill and posts on Craigslist all the time with different woods for sale that he has cut into slabs. I have no idea what he pays for the raw logs, but if you figure out that he needs to make a profit on them, I would guess he gets them for as little as possible.

Mineral Stained Pecan Plank Set - materials - by owner - sale

 

[2LaneCruzer]

We have a local saw mill that will pick up logs...I think they must be dressed first...haul them to his mill and process them for a 50/50 cut. You come pick up your half.

 

[tallyho8]

Well, it sounds like my log is not worth anything except for firewood. I wouldn't mind giving it away if someone wanted to come get it. But if I had to deliver it I would have to charge $1 a mile both ways.

I don't need any more firewood because I just cut down 3 large pecan trees and this one is the smallest one.

 

[EddieWalker]

It's always free to put an ad in craigslist. I tried giving away trees and nobody would show up. I got a few calls, but it was all just a waste of time. Now I don't even bother, I just burn what's not needed for firewood.