Lightning Killed WP

[Good Dogs]

New to the forum and green.
We have a nice 45 + acre wooded tract from which I hope to harvest timber for the construction of a home and outbuildings. Last summer a white pine dbh +/- 38" was struck and killed by lightning. Does not appear to be split, but plenty of bark and some slabs blown off. Any reason to not attempt to harvest the tree for the timber? Obvious concern is safety for the sawyers. Not going to try that one meself.

[WDH]

Pine usually degrades fast when standing on the stump, at least down here in the South, with all the beetles and borers that attack the tree once it is stressed (i.e. lightning), and they serve to hasten its demise.  I suspect that a standing pine that has been dead for a year is too doty or degraded for good structural lumber.  You might be better served to try and make furniture out of it if the wood still seems relatively sound. 

[Good Dogs]

Thanks. Guess there is no way to tell for sure w/o dropping the tree. Planned to use it for trim, cabinetry and possibly flooring depending on the condition.

[pineywoods]

Good Dogs, be extra careful dropping that tree. Lightening killed pine can be un predictable. It's usually very brittle and hinge wood likely to break off. ie the tree's likely to fall in directions you didn't plan on. As for sawing, expect the butt cut to be hard and prone to making bandsaws dive and climb. On the good side, don't be surprised if you find some beautiful red streaks in the lumber...