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Drying cedar logs

Started by Rah244, December 11, 2017, 12:45:31 PM

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Rah244

I'm a beginner, so bear with me, but about 6 weeks ago I cut down 5 cedar trees, up to 24" in diameter. I saved the logs thinking I would like to mill them into boards/posts and use them for some projects. How long do I have to let the logs dry before I mill them? Thinking about buying a chainsaw mill. They are stored outside, but up off the ground several inches.

Ianab

Generally you want to mill logs green, then dry the boards. Its easier cutting and there is less risk of degrade like rot and splitting. But don't be discouraged as cedar is both easy to cut, even when dry, and durable. So your logs will last a long time, and should still make good boards.
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drobertson

Yea, Ian pretty much laid it out, dry boards not logs, unless you plan on building a cabin, with basically a pure log form. and even in this case, allowing the logs to dry out is not a bad idea before doing some minor surface preparations to even out the courses.  Lots left to the imagination as you left it in your original post.. fact is options galore, with mistakes to be made for sure, and they only add to the adventure,,get ready!
only have a few chain saws I'm not suppose to use, but will at times, one dog Dolly, pretty good dog, just not sure what for yet,  working on getting the gardening back in order, and kinda thinking on maybe a small bbq bizz,  thinking about it,

Magicman

Adding your location to your profile will help with answering questions.  The answer would be the same but there are many different species and subspecies of Cedars.

Oh and Welcome to the Forestry Forum.
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Chuck White

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, Rah244!
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WDH

Down here, if you let cut cedar logs sit for a long time, the surface will crack and check pretty deep into the log.  The first boards on all faces will all be ruined.  Best to cut the boards out of the logs as soon as possible after felling. 
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Southside

Welcome to the Forum,

As the others said, dry the boards, not the logs.  With Eastern Red Cedar you will begin to loose sap wood if the logs sit long enough, which can be quite a bit of the log in some cases, also ants and other insects will find a nice home in fallen logs, more so than in sawn boards.  Another factor to consider is that some wood will begin to decay and or stain if it remains in the log form.  In some cases this can be a good thing, such as spalting in a big, ugly, crotch maple log, not such a good thing in 20" clear white oak.  Enjoy sawing!!   
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KFhunter

I've been cutting w.r cedar from a burned area, the fire killed the trees almost 2 years ago now so they're dead and standing. 

Would it make anything other than barn poles and split rail?

moodnacreek

Can you put them in a pond ?  If not maybe stand them up.  Putting them off the ground may dry and split them faster then if left directly on the ground. The colder the storage the better.

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