Need Advice From Cedar Expert

[dail_h]

   I backed into a shot of cedar logs today,problen is one of them is rotten-hearted. Big ole thing,about 30 india.but a lot of wood around the rot I want to try splitting as for post,then have Mr Spruill saw it 1/8 for woodweave.Am I wasting my time and energy? The rest seem ok,one dead and dry,two more still standing,the farmer is going to cut them for me this week.

[Fla._Deadheader]

Unless you have lots of cedar available, I would saw whatever the thing would make. At 30", there should be a lot of sound wood, I would think.

[Oregon_Sawyer]

I don't know if I qualify as an expert, but I cut alot of cedar.  Last weekend I cut a log truck load of cedar.

I cut a cedar with center defect like this: I  cut it just like I would any other log.   I cut each side and then cut one side down untill the defect starts to show.  Then I turn and do the same on the other sides.  At that time I see if I can cut the defective end off and still have a usable short log.  If not, burn pile time.

Loren

[Kevin]

I see a substantial amount of heart rot in the cedar I cut.
Most can be milled but some aren't worth it.
On a large log I'll make one flat surface and use these for small light duty bridge stringers back in the bush because the sapwood is good.
I use the flat surface to nail the deck on.

[Percy]

Im no expert on Cedar either but when I get a large butt that is rotten in the center, the sound wood around the rot is usually clears($). If you can split it,and putt each half/quarter/whatever, you get all vertical grain clears...they lovem around here.

[Jeff]

Maybe cedareater will stop buy and tell ya'll how to cook what you dont saw. ;D

[dail_h]

It's always food time here on theFF :D :D :D Thanks guys

[Tim]

The wife wants to open a restaurant Jeff... If your cedreater has any published recepies, she'd be interested in buying the book... Might help me get rid of my sawdust pile to boot...

[ARKANSAWYER]

  Percy is right that it is good to saw them as the side wood is clear.  Some times it runs the whole way and others just a little.  It is a crap shoot but often worth it.   I would saw them all.
ARKANSAWYER

[dail_h]

   Spent a good part of today working on the cedar logs. The butt of the first log was already split,so I finished it into 4 pieces,3 on the first load. Second tree got 3 good 8 ft logs and a short.After I got here and unloaded found fence in butt.Returned to finish first tree got two more logs out of top.I gave out of steam befpre I finished.Tomorrow will try to get last logs and any bits that might be valueable for turners or carvers