Identify tree via bark?

[ponytug]

Not had time to deal with these fallen trees but have a question....

if they are cut to logs and taken out to be sawn.... would there be any merit in cutting them in 8' lenghts.... 12' lengths... 15' lenghs?

I know a board foot is a board foot.....BUT, these are long and clean so getting a 12' clean board is more difficult perhaps than an 8' clean board. We'll have means of transporting them to someone (handful at a time type thing) so my question is, would there be higher value cutting them longer or not?

I'd hate to cut things to say, 10' lenghts only to find out I could have gotten 20% more (made up the number) had I made them 15' lengths.

Assuming that these are mostly oaks, I would second @JJT's suggestion of going for 5/4 planks rather than 2bys. If you are planning on furniture making, I would do some 21st, but only some. Make sure you paint the ends to reduce splitting and checking! Whether a 15' board is more valuable to you would seem to hinge on whether you can use a 15' board. In general, I would go for longer is better if the wood looks to be clear, but if you are cutting a 14' down to an 8' board to use it and trashing 6', it is hardly a "win" in my book.

I dealt with oak joists and wall supports, and I would not wish that on anyone. Every single nail needed to be pre-drilled. Ditto screws. That gets old, and slows everything way down.

If you are hauling the trees to sell them to the mill, as long as the mill will take and as long you can make them and get them there would be my answer. On the farm, they used to skid 22' out of the woods on to the farm saw mill. It made for better siding boards (long), and long 2bys for rafters.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Egon]

Let the sawyer decide on how to cut the logs to get most quality lumber out of a log.

length, width, thickness, flat sawn, rift sawn or edge grain.

 

[Richard]

Another 'please educate me' question....

Tools at hand:

Chainsaw
100+ hp tractor (has drawbar but no crossbar for 3-point arms)
90 hp backhoe/loader

I'd like to take tractor or backhoe as shallow into the woods as necessary. Use a chain or cable to extract logs out. Pulling them out with either machine.

I currently have 25' section of grade 100 square link chain which gives an excellent bite to a log. One end has a choker, other a fixed hook. Chain is 3/8th's inch.

Been wondering....would it be better to buy say, 100' length of chain so I can drag it into woods and use it to extract a log or, get 100' of cable to do same?

Given I've already got 3/8 inch chain... I like the idea of using it to bite on the tree then connect something to pull it.

I see cables fraying and frankly, limited future use. I can always use a chain....can cut down to more friendly lengths but, it's likely going to be a pain to manipulate.

So....

cable or chain?

what size?

 

[Egon]

You may end up breaking a 3/8 chain.

Cable and blocks should work well.

 

[ponytug]

If you do use chain, have a look at how to use chain safely. Catastrophic chain failures tend to be associated lots of injuries.

Personally, I would look at some of the newer plastic (HDPE) cables that are very tough and strong; I just would not use them as the choker.

All the best,

Peter