blow down maple ?

Mike

Is the tree an actual maple or is it box elder type maple. If it is a box elder type it makes very good firewood and can be used for excellant turning.
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The wildest grain will be near a branch outlet or possabley at the base very close to the root (which also is the hardest part of the tree). Very nice grain can be achieved by the way it is cut into lumber. A good sawyer will have a good idea how to cut it. Cutting box elder into lumber is not a good idea as it very unstable, and always wants to twist bend or worp.

Also, if the tree was blown down there maybe a lot of stresses put on the tree before it layed down. there maybe a lot of very small cracks in to wood that may not show up until the wood is dry.

What ever you do..good luck

Alby….Canada

Tree branches don't make good lumber because they have too much internal tension from growing sideways. Save the thick branches for turning or firewood, and cut the main trunk up for lumber. You will usually get some curl in the wood in the crotch and near the roots. You might be lucky and get some curl in the main part of the trunk but it's hard to say until you open that log up.