34' Long Red Oak Log - Any value full size?

[eashworth64]

Hello, Dennis from Terrific Timbers is coming to cut for me Friday/Saturday.

We have a whole bunch of red oak to cut, but one log remains to be cut to proper length for milling

It is 34 Foot long Red Oak long that is 34" Diameter at the fat end and 28" at the tip.

Is there any value to anyone full length?  It is very straight as well.


 

Here are some pics of the other logs Dennis is milling..  We have a lot to do...



  

 

[Magicman]

I am sure that it would have extra value to someone somewhere, but transportation would be an issue. 

[Jay C. White Cloud]

Hi Eashworth64,

Timber framing companies will often buy logs of this type for special projects, but you have to market/sell them before you cut them down, not after.  Transport is the other issue with logs this size.  They are expensive to move, and fashion into timber stock, and the value is in the fashioning, more so than the wood timber itself.  In other words, in most cases, you are going to get the same market bf price whether the log is cut into 8' or 16' bolts, as would you leaving it in the entire log length.

Regards,

jay

[eashworth64]

Thanks for the input, these trees were already down due to Sandy, so no choice on marketing up front.  I think unless someone tells me otherwise by Saturday, Dennis and I will mill in 8' or 10' lengths due to the weight of the logs...

[Jay C. White Cloud]

Hey Eashworth64,

You should cut them up to there best bolt length they will yield for the grain of the stock you plan to take out of them.  Get them end sealed as soon as possible, as has been said within two hours of cut can make a big difference, but anytime is better than not at all.  Good luck.

[Corley5]

In my area 10's pay more than 8's and that goes for all species be it hardwood, softwood or pine.

[tyb525]

What will the lumber be used for? For woodworking, you rarely need anything over 8'. For rough construction and 2x's, It's nice to have longer lumber.

[eashworth64]

I was going to quarter saw the logs as wide as possible to yield the highest value lumber.  The largest logs are 36" in diameter, so they are all cut 8'6" to keep the weight down.  If we cut them 10', we are pushing the limit on the mill to raise up into place.

With all the logs we have ready to go, there should be 1,000's of board feet by the end of Saturday

[Jay C. White Cloud]

I believe your idea of 8'6" bolts quarter sawn, will give you the best product from these logs.  Maybe a few but logs cut into slabs will be of worth, but you won't know unless you open them up first.

[Ianab]

To the right person they are worth more full length. Just it's a specialist thing for large timber frames etc.

Have a look at this post.
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,61982.0.html



But it's a matter of finding that person at the same time that you have the log...

Ian

[Jay C. White Cloud]

To the right person...

Hi Ian,

That "right person," in lies the rub of it.  Trying to market such large stock, then transport, usually entails a pre-milling acquisition of the logs.  This is not a common or easy market here in the states.  Do you find it easier in New Zealand, and for what purpose are they most commonly used in such large size?

[snowstorm]

it might make a keel for a boat

[Magicman]

A 36' Oak log over 8' in length is very difficult to load.  Then after you get that baby on the sawmill, it is difficult to turn.  Then you also have to "move it over" in order for the blade guides to clear the log for sawing.


 
This was a 14' X 34" Red Oak.


 
My end tong chained to the log clamp thus utilizing another hydraulic cylinder helping to load that bad boy.


 
Lowered side supports and an "insurance board" allowed the log to be slid over for sawing.

Of course it took both the log turner and the two plane clamp working together to turn it.

[mesquite buckeye]

If you set the wayback machine to 1880, they used 90-100 foot clear, hewn timbers (one piece) to run the length of barn roofs in their timber frames. That was some nice timber.....

My uncle still has 40 acres of it near Oak Harbor, OH. 30 never cut, 10 last cut to build their barn, which is still standing, in 1879. There are trees 6 ft thick and 140-150ft tall, but the interesting ones are maybe 14-18"dbh, no branches for 80-100ft. Mostly oak, ash, hickory, maple. Very cool.

[Dave Shepard]

 

In my area 10's pay more than 8's and that goes for all species be it hardwood, softwood or pine.

So what kind of wood is pine, if it's not a hardwood or a softwood? :D

[mesquite buckeye]

In my area 10's pay more than 8's and that goes for all species be it hardwood, softwood or pine.

So what kind of wood is pine, if it's not a hardwood or a softwood? :D

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