Eastern Red Cedar, doing my Homework

shelbycharger400 · October 30, 2012, 09:50:23 PM

This was a low grade log, did a 4 in thick mantle, a 2 1/2 slab, and a 3 1/2 slab, now its clear for the first 6 feet, Its 9 feet long Its 17 at the small end, 20 at the big end.
Its 7 + inches thick so brings to the question. I know I can cut it down to 3-4 inches above the bunks . I was thinking instead of splitting this one in half and making 2 mantles, that Id do 2 slabs at ~~2 1/2~~ checked it would be able to 2 slabs at 1 3/4, its 4 inches at bottomed out right now, leaving roughly a 3 in mantle on the bottom. . Beings its as large as it is, what should I charge. I have been getting $3-4 a board foot for 10 in wide and up, last biggest one I had was 16 in wide. O, and this is leading up to a nother biggins with less rot out back.

Magicman · October 30, 2012, 10:30:22 PM

Do you want some more of those "empty logs" ???

Red Clay Hound · October 30, 2012, 10:34:03 PM

Wow Magicman!

Was that a custom sawing job? If so, was the customer happy with the end product? ???

Magicman · October 30, 2012, 10:59:13 PM

Those empty logs were given to me to move after a saw job and I have had them stacked in my yard for several years, just where I unloaded them. There are many things that I should/could do with them, but I have not had time to scratch where I itch.

I picked up another saw job tonight and I just loaded my stuff on the truck today. That makes 8 folks that are ready and waiting on me. :-\

Okrafarmer · October 30, 2012, 11:08:18 PM

Most of my ERC around here are solid in the middle.

LeeB · October 31, 2012, 12:25:36 AM

They would make some neat drums.

Solomon · October 31, 2012, 12:28:39 AM

Red Ceder is abundant and plentiful here. I have charged tree guys to dump it on my property and accepeted hollow logs along with nice solid ones. Its not so bad being in the city. There seems to be a small marginal market for everything. The only drawback is , you have to deal with everything and be very shrude. As everyone in the city is.

Just another Picture of another project I got myself into. Pole Barn for my neighbor.

1woodguy · October 31, 2012, 03:08:21 AM

Magicman,
I'm curious are those rotted or did the big black ants hollow them?
Haven't seen any quite that bad
I have noticed that a lot of the cedars here that are over 24inches seem to have rot several foot at base
If your loading by hand I reckon they are easier to load ;D
If they were mine I wouldn't waste them I would get some red dye and mix up some concrete add alittle rebar and just fill in the hollows....... After it sets up I could saw out some nice heavy slabs :D

Cedarman · October 31, 2012, 07:44:41 AM

The wood has to be rotten for carpenter ants to move in and hollow the soft wood out. They will not remove solid wood.
I have 4 truck loads of junk cedar logs. We are slabbing, drying, and grinding them into sawdust for specialty markets.
$4.00 a foot is a nice return.

POSTON WIDEHEAD · October 31, 2012, 08:03:12 AM

I usually take the hollow logs and make flower pots. They sale fast.

metalspinner · October 31, 2012, 08:04:49 AM

I wouldn't mind a trailer load of hollow cedars like Magicman has. They would make good planters. Cut either crossways or lengthwise. Smaller ones about 10"-12", would be good for window boxes. A metal bracket would need to be fabricated for a windowbox, though.

Looking at the biggest one on his trailer, I can see pedestals for a table or desk. The desk pedestal could be cleaned up inside and drawers added. If your careful, the original face of the log can be used for the drawer fronts.

The larger ones can also make cool shelving units - ripped in half, cleaned up inside, and stood vertically. Shelves and lighting can be added. I know several people that would love that sort of thing. One is a rock and fossil collector. ;) There are many, many cabins in this part of the state, too.

Magicman · October 31, 2012, 08:23:13 AM

Or make Stumpkins. LINK

POSTON WIDEHEAD · October 31, 2012, 08:26:00 AM

Quote from: Magicman on October 31, 2012, 08:23:13 AM
Or make Stumpkins. LINK

I enjoyed that link Magic. I have never seen stumpkins.
But I think I see them in the future. ;D

Solomon · October 31, 2012, 09:54:30 AM

Quote from: POSTONLT40HD on October 31, 2012, 08:03:12 AM
I usually take the hollow logs and make flower pots. They sale fast.

Thats good idea! I hadn't thought of that. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in my eyes.

Cedarman · October 31, 2012, 10:31:25 AM

Now you guys are thinking like I do when it comes to cedar. There is a whole lot more than just lumber in them thar logs.

shelbycharger400 · October 31, 2012, 04:48:42 PM

I didn't think of twisting this post as to what to do with the hollow ones

But I enjoy seeing what people are doin and makin money at it!
A hobby is a lot more fun when their is some recovery.

I have 3, more logs at 16 ft, but they are 8 to 10 in at the butt, and hollow, I know what im doin with those

;D L
Light backedge, light top edge, Full log mantle !

Hey magic... as long as theirs 4 inches thick for meat, and 2 in wide or more, Id cut n sell. I see a few mantles and slabs in those smaller ones

POSTON WIDEHEAD · October 31, 2012, 04:53:43 PM

Quote from: Solomon on October 31, 2012, 09:54:30 AM
Quote from: POSTONLT40HD on October 31, 2012, 08:03:12 AM
I usually take the hollow logs and make flower pots. They sale fast.
Thats good idea! I hadn't thought of that. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in my eyes.

I usually put a round cedar bottom on them also. You can even put in a little potting soil and some blooming flowers and maybe add a Cedar birdhouse on a Cedar pole.....the Ladies will buy it in the spring......at your price.

1woodguy · October 31, 2012, 07:54:47 PM

Now I have some ideas!!

VT_Forestry · November 01, 2012, 06:56:21 AM

Drill a hole in the side of those hollow logs, slap a board across the top and bottom and you've got yourself a bird house

okmulch · November 03, 2012, 08:02:29 AM

Here is what I use some cedar for around Halloween.

Kansas · November 03, 2012, 08:45:09 AM

A few things about ERC. In a pasture or ravine, the biggest ones tend to have either ingrown bark, or be hollow. The ones that grow up underneath them that have the small stick branches are about always good. If they are planted in a windbreak, which they do in Kansas, you cut down a few, and if they are hollow, about all will be hollow. And that always seems to run up the tree, not just for a few feet. If you cut down a few and they are solid, chances are virtually all will be solid.

thecfarm · November 03, 2012, 09:01:52 AM

Flower pots with the people that come to The C Farm for veggies and baked goods I could and do sell. Mantels and indoor tables-furniture,I better have them under cover, or they would rot before they would sell.

okmulch · November 09, 2012, 09:34:32 AM

Well I had to make a pumpkin out of left over cedar cut offs for Halloween, so now I have Christmas taken care of also.

My wife had me make five of them to donate to some of her ladies groups and church for raffle.

1woodguy · November 10, 2012, 04:47:28 AM

I agree with what Kansas said at least in this area,when we hit big clumps of cedar most all the ones with the thumb size branches are solid
Bad thing is we cut or pushed tons in the past and piled burned them but at the time we were just clearing
In one area lots of nice walnut and oak
It would be nice to be able to go back in time and keep all the better logs

Cedarman · November 10, 2012, 07:06:58 AM

By my estimate there are about 2 billion board feet of cedar sawlogs mixed with the hardwoods and down in the gulleys and "canyons" in Oklahoma. According to a study done several years ago, cedar is encroaching on 760 acres per day. Just in Ok.
Woodguy, you may have burnt some good ones, but there are still a beau coup more left.
Look at the plumes of smoke in the sky when conditions are right to burn the cedar piles.