downed logs to lumber

—hello Campbill; ....so first question that comes to my mind is, when you say, ”portable lumber mill”....what are you talking of….?

—bandsaw
....or….
—chainsaw

Thank you.
GODSPEED,
Frank

-- --frank, NH, http://frank.wordpress.com/

interesting question. I often see standing dead tree and have wondered if they could be used for lumber.

I sawed a standing dead pecan once. The wood was sound, but instead of the nice light white and browns with other colors mixed in, it was pretty much light gray throughout. This tree had been dead a while and the bark was falling off. Based on the tags you added to the listing I’m guessing you are asking about oak, cherry and maple. I would guess the heartwood should be fine on all these but the sapwood may have changed to gray. It is certainly worth the risk to try one of each especially if they have not been dead long. You can always just open it up and scrap it if you don’t like the color on one. Good luck with it and post some pics after it is sawn.

Trees are like a box of chocolates …. you don’t always know what you’re going to get.

-- arborial reconfiguration specialist

What Catspaw said ;) Only one way to find out…go for it ! A tree is not really going to dry much standing dead (unless it has stood for a decade or so) If they look sound when you bring them down get busy milling.

-- Urban logger, http://nelsonwoodworks.biz/

Frank, It is a bandsaw portable mill with plenty of power as I know the wood will be very hard.