The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: MTU Husky on February 28, 2011, 03:31:28 PM

Title: Red Oak Logs
Post by: MTU Husky on February 28, 2011, 03:31:28 PM
I have an oppurtunity to get some free red oak logs. The tree will be cut down this coming weekend and is about 15" in diameter. What length logs would you cut? Would it be better to cut 8'-0" logs or keep the logs as long as possible. Or do a combination depending on shape of the tree?
I just don't know what log length would work better in the local market.
Title: Re: Red Oak Logs
Post by: ely on February 28, 2011, 04:27:03 PM
from 8'2" to 10'6" works great, unless you are looking for something longer then plan accordingly.
Title: Re: Red Oak Logs
Post by: Brad_S. on February 28, 2011, 04:32:40 PM
What ever size you settle on, always add 4-6 inches, never cut exactly on the even foot mark.
I prefer 12' 4-6" myself. It gives me more flexibility when grading boards to still get minimum areas. It also lets me cut a short section off for that guy who just wants a 3-4 foot board and still leaves me a potential FAS board.
Title: Re: Red Oak Logs
Post by: pnyberg on February 28, 2011, 05:50:47 PM
Assuming that you are going to be milling this for your own use, and you've got nothing particular in mind for the lumber, my approach would be to let the tree decide.  Once you've determined how much usable trunk you've got, divide it into some number of logs of equal length.  There's no reason to think this needs to be done in anything resembling 2' increments.  If cutting the usable trunk in half give you two logs 8' 9" or 7' 3" long, what difference does it make that it's an odd length?

The reason for creating equal length logs is that building a stickered stack of lumber is a lot easier if all your boards are about the same length.

My $0.02

--Peter
Title: Re: Red Oak Logs
Post by: red oaks lumber on February 28, 2011, 05:59:11 PM
peter hit the nail right on the head, keep your lenghts the same.
Title: Re: Red Oak Logs
Post by: wannasaw on February 28, 2011, 08:08:56 PM
First congrats on the find but then I would go with the tree/logs being the dictator because at a local large hardware conglamorate an 8'x10" is 45.00 So if you need more than you saw this is what the extra runs would cost. If... you can use what they call boards with your own... Squeeze every inch and good luck.
Title: Re: Red Oak Logs
Post by: bandmiller2 on February 28, 2011, 09:12:31 PM
Husky,how long and heavy a log can you handle and transport.? Its best to have a purpose or buyer before you cut.Most of the oak I cut goes to trailer and truck beds and racks.I cut mostly 1" and 2"  8',10',and 12'. Frank C.
Title: Re: Red Oak Logs
Post by: Knute on February 28, 2011, 09:21:04 PM
I saw most of my red oak 8'-8"". Since I am cutting mostly my own logs and work alone, 8' stuff is easier to handle and I have no trouble selling it.
Title: Re: Red Oak Logs
Post by: tyb525 on February 28, 2011, 09:55:17 PM
I almost always cut my logs to 10' 6" when possible, because my mill can only cut 11'. I only cut shorter if there is a good section that wont make 10' 6". I haven't had too many people looking for anything over 10'. I think anything longer would be used primarily for construction. I'm a woodworker and I rarely have a need for anything over 6', but I try to cut everything the same length, it's much easier to stack.
Title: Re: Red Oak Logs
Post by: woodmills1 on March 01, 2011, 07:28:09 PM
I also say let the tree decide, but in a different way.

each tree will tell you where to cut it based on knots, rot, sweep, or other flaws.

don't stretch an 8 to a 12 if the last 4 feet have more flaws all around(unless you have an order for 12)

dont cut all 8 if the thing is round straight and clear for 12 or 16(unless your order is for all 8)

I have cut over 600MBF on the mill and sold more than that in logs since getting the blue ox

my bottem line on sold logs has been increasing, even thought the yearly volume is nearly the same, because I am beginning to "see" the good parts of the tree and cut accordingly