Trouble getting logs

[ForestMan]

I have been having trouble trying to find logs.  I have some mesquite on my land that is down and ready for the sawmill, but beyond that I will have to find a reliable source.

My partner was in town today and noticed some heavy equipment and some pecan trees thrown into a dumpster.  He whispered to his wife, "Hey, it looks like they are just throwing that away.  I wonder if we can get that." 

She encouraged him to go ask about it.

He did.  They were glad to give us all of it.  They were going to have to pay to haul it to the dump.  It is a grove of pecan trees and some walnut trees mixed in.  He will be taking several trips with his gooseneck trailer to pick it all up tomorrow.  They have heavy equipment on site, so loading will be no trouble.

I don't know if this sort of thing happens a lot, or if we just got lucky.  Has anyone else gotten free wood like this before?

[ely]

personally i would have opted for the heavy equip. over the pecan logs but thats just me.
welcome to the furum.

[sigidi]

Welcome to the forum Forest man

That's the way to do it mate, can't harm asking and quite often you are doing them a favour getting rid of it. Just keep ya eye's open and don't be afraid to ask - they can only say yes or no...

[bandmiller2]

Forest guy,ask local tree service co's they chip the small stuff but many have to pay to dispose the big stuff.Talk to them most are more than glad to exchange alot of logs for some lumber they need, most will deliver.Frank C.

[Cedarman]

You have to take good luck where you find it.  Everyone's happy.  Don't look too excited or they might start thinking that free was too cheap.

[Chuck White]

I'd say you just...plain....got lucky. 

But hey, that's the way it goes.  When it rains, it pours. 

[metalspinner]

Yep, no harm in asking... I ask alot.

But I get many more "No's" than "Yes'".  Sometimes, I believe tree services think you are getting rich by the sweat of their brow.  We all know that isn't true.  But that doesn't change their mindset.  A few understand and are willing to get involved with you.  But be careful what you wish for.  You might have to take lots of junk to get the jewels.  Beggers can't be choosers.

[ForestMan]

No doubt.  I'm greatful for what we got.  Turns out, they have all the equipment there onsite and were able to take the limbs off and load it for us, so all we had to do was show up with the flatbed and they loaded nice logs on for us.  Now that's service!

[sigidi]

Forest man, thems the breaks - sometimes you get terrific ones like that, other times you'll get ones where you have to do a heap of work for a free log and you finish the day thinking "that was a lot of DanG trouble to get that!"

[Engineer]

I don't ask very often, but when I do, I say that I will take anything - good sawlogs, junk wood, limb wood or chips.  I can use it all and that's all that matters. 

[sdunston]

ForestMan, You have to move to the great northeast were the logs are aboundet and the taxes we pay will have you begging for gas money
Sam

[ForestMan]

Here is a load of our free pecan.  Will be picking up a second load today.  Nice.

[beenthere]

Anxious to see some pics of how those "logs" open up on the saw. When will you be doing it?

[ForestMan]

The logs are free.  I'm not complaining. 

My sawmill is scheduled to be picked up toward the end of this month.  I suppose it will be early March before I am able to saw them.

My brother-in-law in the Army (stationed in Louisiana) will pick it up on his way back to San Antonio for leave.  He is a Blackhawk helicopter mechanic.  He will be picking it up from the new Woodmizer Texas location in Kirbyville. 

I will see my LT10 for the first time at the end of this month.

[ForestMan]

We got our second free load of pecan logs yesterday and they have already asked us to come back on Tuesday for another load.

I don't have pictures of the second load, but I was told the logs are big and straight and about 20' long each.  I would love to see the logs.

If we can't saw them all up right away, I have heard there is something you can paint on the ends to preserve them.  What is that?  How much is it, and where can you find it?  Thanks.

[Engineer]

Anchorseal.  UC Coatings, in NY.  You can order direct from their website.  Bailey's also has an end sealer which may be the same thing, I don't know.  Either one will work well.

[ForestMan]

Ok, thanks.

[ForestMan]

We decided to go with an extra bed extension.  We need one more to cut the logs that will make our timber frame home, but will have to save up and get that another day.  At least the first extension will allow us to cut up to 18'.  That's already not bad.  A second extension will let me cut to 25'.

[ForestMan]

I made my final payment to Woodmizer today.  I now am the proud owner of a Woodmizer LT10 with a 10 hp engine, an extra bed extension, and a few blades to get me started sawing. 

It should be delivered tomorrow by my brother-in-law.  I'll post pictures in a few days.