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Has anyone had a yard tree sawn into lumber?

4K views 12 replies 10 participants last post by  roman 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I recently came across a black walnut log around 30" X 8' that was almost cut up for fire wood. A friend called me to ask if it was worth anything, but after talking to our local sawmill I was told that if it was a yard tree they won't touch it for fear of nails. He pointed me to a nearby Amish sawmill down the road. I was planning to give him something for the log to defer the cost of having it cut down. My question is what will this thing cost me to have sawed up and what is a reasonable price to pay for the log? Sorry I don't have any pics of the log. It was funny when I went over to look at the log he had two people offer to buy pieces of the tree that were cut up on the ground he wouldn't take any money from them and one guy got a nice crotch piece, he has since had a few people ask for the log. Woodworkers are everywhere looking for that brown gold!
 
#2 ·
This is going to be a short response because I am tired tonight from milling yard trees all day…Keep looking for a mill that will saw it for you. Will it have nails in it ? Probably. Is that a deal breaker ? Heck no. I have milled a few thousand walnut yard trees in the last few years, some of the most beautiful wood a guy would ever hope to see. (and yea a couple nails). As far as your questions about price. I would try to get the log for free first. The market price for walnut logs has plummeted. I get them delivered here for $0.40 bft on average. A 30" x 8' log should yield 330 bft, so that delivered would be $130. If I had to go to a bunch of trouble (labor) to fetch it maybe $50. As far as milling rates they vary, I have heard $0.25 bft-$0.50 bft. I charge $0.35 bft, so about $115. Plus a sawyer will charge for a ruined blade, not all nails ruin the blade though. A new blade costs $20.

Do what you want, but don't get in a bidding war with the other guys eyeballing it. If they want to get crazy and offer big money…let them.
 
#4 ·
GRAB IT. You will love the results. You will kick yourself forever if you don't.

My sawyer will charge $65/hour for 2 men and the saw. No charge if he dulls a blade. $30 if he ruins a blade.

Get the log, seal the ends, cut into flitches, sticker, and weight down the top. In your country, a kiln is the prefered process. Allow 6-10 weeks. If air dry, one year , assuming 1" thick boards.

Go-Fer-It
 
#6 ·
Tinman, it looks like you have the answers you are looking for so no need to go further with more of the same. Daren Nelson seams to be right on target. One thing that might help though is do a search on "Google" I typed in " calculating board feet in a tree" and an endless supply of info was at my finger tips. Hope this helps . One more thing about yard trees, $ IN THE BANK
 
#7 ·
Thanks for the help,If I get the log I'll let you know how it went. As for getting in a bidding war I totally agree I've seen it happen with other things to many times, as he is a friend I don't mind giving him something for it, but not more than it's worth.
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
Darren gave me very wise consel on a yard tree last year.

Go for it. With the nice work you do you need more wood like the Masters needed more blank canvas. You do some really nice work, I really like the walnut table with the leaves. 100 years from now that will still be beauty in someones home.

Thank you again Darren.
 
#9 ·
We charge $60 if the person wants the whole tree. Alot of time though the person doesn't want the intire tree and then we cut the log and give the person every third board. Depending on how bid the log is that can be a nice little stack'o'lumber. A sawyer who wont cut a yard tree is probably not someone you want to have to deal with anyway. I mean all it takes is a metal detector and any milwright worth his salts will have one.
 
#11 ·
Trees that grow "in the open" like a yard or pasture will most often branch lower, where as trees fighting for light at the top of the canopy will shoot straight up making for longer/better lower logs. The trees in the open grow faster vs in the dense forest where they grow slower. The ones fighting for space/light/food have tighter grow rings because of this slower grow. Twisted trees happen in the open or in the forest. A twisted tree makes less stable lumber usually. I am speaking hardwoods here, what I have the most experience with.
 
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