Bow in small fresh cut beams

[fishfighter]

Knew this was going to happen, but I'm cutting some red oak 2.5"x 6"x14' beams. I want to keep the live edge and the trees I cutting these beams are about 16"-18" at the butt ends.

The question is, with a arch from cutting the pith center(tension), that would go to the up side. Will in time, will they lay back down? Or should I just cut the arch out now? These beams will not support any weight but themselves.

Oh, fresh fell trees

[sigidi]

They won't straighten and eben if you cut the sawn edge straight they will still bend. Leaving the natural edge means you've left the sapwood on and that is where the tension is.

[fishfighter]

Thanks, kind of knew that was going to happen. Firewood pile for that cut. Pulled 4 21/2" slabs and before splitting them, guess I will pull some sap wood off.

[Brucer]

Usually you can get away with sawing the arch off. Just remove the absolute minimum wood.

[fishfighter]

14' and the arch in the center was over 1". ;D

[mesquite buckeye]

Those beams are ideal. We call them prestressed. Load them up with lots of weight, like a roof and they become perfect. ;D 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

[deadfall]

Those beams are ideal. We call them prestressed. Load them up with lots of weight, like a roof and they become perfect. ;D 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

We're talkin' some serious specialty wood here.