Putting fresh cut lumber under cover to dry

[@logjammin084]

Any idea how long the trees you’ve milled have been down? Maybe won’t have to wait as long for them to dry?

[@TheChainsawLama]

Good point LogJamin that Douglas fir has been down for over a year a least probably more, and the Cedar for many years. I was planning to buy a wood moisture meter from Amazon to check. What's your experience with fallen trees? Any suggestions? Thanks for sharing friend

[@logjammin084]

@@TheChainsawLama so what I’ve come across with fallen trees is they’re wildly different hahaha. The trees that have been blown over by wind are generally the best as they were healthy when they went over. If there was enough top or root flair to keep it off the ground or cut to mill quick generally zero difference then if I cut it down. I do find more fractures in trees that have blown over. Trees that die standing and then fall can be just as solid or barely passable for firewood. If they are solid I do sometimes find crazy staining which I think adds character and color and do like. I find no matter what getting the bark off sooner than later helps keep the bugs from speeding up the rotting process. Even after milling I try to strip bark if I’ve left it live edge slabs.

[@TheChainsawLama]

Thanks so much for the advice that is very helpful. This one has interesting staining as you mentioned. The Cedar is amazing it could have been down for 10 years but the timbre is so sound! @@logjammin084

[@logjammin084]

@@TheChainsawLama when it comes to building you’re on the right track with wanting a moisture meter. But one thing I always keep in the back of my mind is how did pioneers 150 years ago build beautiful homes? They surely didn’t have time to dry timber? Wood does shrink as it dries so if that’s taken into consideration, like doing batten board siding to anticipate the gap that will form while it dries you could find ways to start building right away. Things that need moisture free wood like cabinetry or flooring maybe cut first to start drying while you build other things where green lumber will work.

[@TheChainsawLama]

Wow! I am gaining a lot of insight from your experience, thanks again! @@logjammin084