Sawing Pecan?

[AJ]

Hello All,

I've got some pecan logs, probably about 1000 bf or so, that I need to saw up.  Several are pretty large, 24" or better.  

My plan is to saw them and get them loaded into my solar kiln (or at least whatever will fit), but I'm not sure what size to saw them.

I'll use some of the wood myself, may try to sell some of the rest.  I was thinking of sawing most of it 4/4, and some 8/4.  How wide can I leave the boards without incurring too much cupping?  And, can both thicknesses be loaded at the same time in the kiln?

Thanks for any help,

Andy

[oakiemac]

Is Pecan the same commercially as Hickory?

[AJ]

From what I understand, it's all sold as the same.

Andy

[OneWithWood]

Let me ask it a different way.  What is the difference between pecan and hickory?  I always thought pecan was a type of hickory.  You know, like mockernut, bitternut, shakbark, etc.

[Tom]

Pecan is a smoother brown in color whereas hickory is creamy colored with a browner heart and areas of red and brown streaks.  They are both about the same to saw, tough, and the woods work the same in the shop.

Borers like the sapwood so promptness in drying and perhaps some insecticide is warranted.

I've cut hickory and pecan as wide as the log will stand in 5/4 and gotten good results.  I wouldn't cut it any thinner than 4/4 and would even want that on the fat side.

[solidwoods]

I would flat cut it 1.125" on the mill scale. Best sides up/down and flat saw it.  As wide as you wish. Stack it on the bottom of the stack, sticks 1' apart.  Other thickness if you have a plan on its use. No plan, just mill/sell on spec?  Make it 4/4.
I wouldn’t saw around the heart (box the heart), just flat cut.
When it's 6-8% mc call a cabinet shop and step aside.  Surrounding objects may be in danger from the vacuum created by it's disappearance.
JIM

[Ron Wenrich]

There are 2 types of hickory - true hickory and pecan hickory.

True hickories include shagbark, carolina, shellbark, mockernut, red, and pignut.

Pecan hickories include pecan, bitternut hickory, and water hickory.

It all gets sold as hickory lumber.

[Fla._Deadheader]

I agree with Solidwoods.
Before we left Arkansas, I had about 1200 ft, air dried in
the shop loft. I called one of my old customers, a Dr. that had a small furniture shop started. He paid well for all of it and asked if I had more.  It had a slight pinkish hue
 It was all 5/4 and about 8"-15" wide.

[AJ]

OK guys,

Thanks for the advice.  I've sawn about a fourth of what I have, cut it to 4/4 and put it in the kiln.  I believe I'll cut the rest at 5/4, I think I should have some 14-16" wide boards.

How well does this air dry, and how long will the logs keep without degrading?  The ends are sealed, but it sure is hot right now, and they're in full sun.

Thanks,

Andy

[LeeB]

what i have cut air dried fairly well. don't let the logs set in the hot sun too long as it will change the color. not really blue stain but similar. it also gets hard as rock the drier it gets. my favorite wood. LeeB