Drying whole logs, for a while

[ScottyM]

Greetings from NC.  I have managed to collect around 20 pieces of red oak, cherry and pecan that range from 16" to 20" in diameter and from 4 to 6 feet long.  I was looking to buy a Timbery M100 mill in the near future but our AC went out today so that may have to go on hold for a while. Can't convince my wife that the mill is more important than the AC, go figure!  Anyway, I have coated the ends with Titebond  II to reduce/prevent checking while I figure out the mill situation.  With all that said, is it ok to let the logs sit for a few months (or maybe longer) under cover prior to milling?     

[Southside]

Keep them off the ground and they will do fine.  Really don't need AC for the next several months..... :D

[mike_belben]

The ends will dry faster than the innards and some logs will crack or maybe bust apart.  I havent tried it, but if your ends get direct sun i would consider shading them to slow down this imbalanced end drying issue.  A loose tarp or plywood, tin, garden cloth, truck bed liner etc.  But keep airflow available or mold for sure. 

If they sit in the dirt with bark the bugs will eat the cambium and trail up the sap wood in the first 6 months.  With bark removed and off the ground youre in pretty good shape for a year.  Mushrooms will get the outer half inch or so in a year.

Some spoil is a lot more tolerable in big logs. Spindly little things arent worth clinging to unless you plan on making dunnage and ties out of them.   A terrible looking log can make a fine tie.   

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

I would AnchorSeal the log ends.

[scsmith42]

Hello fellow NC'er!

You should be ok.  Logs do not spoil as fast when the temperatures are below 50 degrees F.  I would not suggest tapping your stack though, as that may retain heat and humidity and cause a mold problem.

If you don't get a sawmill purchased by next spring you can always strike a deal with a miller.  There are quite a few FF members from NC.

Scott