how long can trees lay before sawing

log lineman · April 16, 2011, 07:43:15 PM

I am new member on the forum but have been reading it for a while. My question is I have got a lot being cleared for a cabin and I am saving all my Poplar to saw later how long can it lay 10to12inchs off the ground and be able saw it later I have coated the ends with coolseal.

Dave Shepard · April 16, 2011, 08:09:20 PM

Welcome to the Forum. I can't advise on the poplar, sorry.

beenthere · April 16, 2011, 08:29:00 PM

log lineman
Welcome to the forum.
What do you want to make out of the poplar logs, assuming they are yellow poplar?
How large are the logs?

log lineman · April 16, 2011, 09:37:01 PM

I guess they are yellow poplar it is Nc. they range from 16 to 30 inchs I was planning on using it for framing and siding not the best choice for siding but it is free and all of it will be under the roof of a covered porch plus I will put a sealer on it.

WDH · April 16, 2011, 10:06:54 PM

It is getting to be summer and they will stain in summer in NC. I would want to saw them in 3 or 4 weeks if you want the wood to be white/natural color.

I cut some pine a week ago and left the boards stacked against each other standing on the side of the barn. I moved them today and they were already blue-stained.

Jasperfield · April 16, 2011, 10:51:53 PM

Where in NC are you?

log lineman · April 17, 2011, 09:09:42 AM

Jasperfield I am in a little place outside of Franklin called Nantahala I dont live there we live in south Ga. just have a lot there hoping to build a cabin on it. where are you located in Nc.?

WDH · April 17, 2011, 08:30:36 PM

Logman,

That is beautiful country where your lot is.

Magicman · April 17, 2011, 10:53:55 PM

First, Welcome to the Forestry Forum log lineman. After Hurricane Katrina, I sawed Poplar for a couple of years that had lain in the woods with the root ball and limbs keeping it off of the ground. It was "off color" but it was used as siding and would be allowed to weather anyway. As long is it has no ground contact and will not be splattered with rain runoff, it will serve well as siding without any sealer, etc.

I have also sawed many Mbf of poplar framing lumber but it will not meet grading specifications. Of course, that is a whole 'nother subject.

There is no sealer on this cabin's Poplar siding. It was built in 2006 and the siding is now a weathered silvery color.

ljmathias · April 19, 2011, 07:02:18 AM

Yellow poplar in the weather degrades pretty fast- "dry" rot eats it up plus it gets spalted and discolored pretty bad. Why not have someone cut it up now when it has more value, then sticker and stack, put a tin "roof" on it with lots of air space and let it get dry for use? I love working with it- cuts like butter when it's green and air dries nicely to give beautiful lumber. But then, you gotta do what you gotta do....

Lj

log lineman · April 19, 2011, 10:41:17 AM

yes that might be what I have to do find someone local to saw it for me I was just hoping if it would keep for about two years I wood saw it myself but I will let someone saw it before I let it go to waste.

tyb525 · April 19, 2011, 11:07:52 AM

It works great for siding, as long as it is kept off the ground.

If you keep the logs off the ground, they should keep pretty well for a few months, although they'll be discolored.

beenthere · April 19, 2011, 11:41:25 AM

Quote from: log lineman on April 19, 2011, 10:41:17 AM
yes that might be what I have to do find someone local to saw it for me I was just hoping if it would keep for about two years I wood saw it myself but I will let someone saw it before I let it go to waste.

That would be a good move, and then you can be more confident that you will have the lumber from your wood. Two years can slip to more very easily. And two years is beyond the life one could expect for the y. poplar logs.

Jasperfield · April 19, 2011, 09:57:49 PM

Log Lineman,

I'm in Luck NC, about 30 miles (by air) North Northeast from Balsam Gap. Just barely in Madison Co. from Haywood Co.

This week I'll be in the Nantahala Gorge for some continuing engineering education hours at the NOC center.

I'm thinking you're place might be at Nantahala Lake or Village. I've surveyed all over that country, and had hangers at Franklin and Andrews.

This Summer you'll be about 20-25 degrees cooler than South Georgia. I believe you'll really like here.

Knute · May 01, 2011, 09:37:11 AM

I sided my garage with poplar about 8 years ago and it is working fine. Sawed the boards 5/8" thick and air dried. Logs were cut in January and milled in July with no problems. This is in Wisconsin where it would not be real warm untill June.

Magicman · May 01, 2011, 03:38:41 PM

I sawed Poplar Friday that had lain for a couple of years. The sapwood was rotten, but the heartwood was solid and still held it's colors. The customer was very satisfied.

log lineman · May 05, 2011, 06:07:39 PM

I have been out of town working on the tornado restoration in Alabama or I would have responded earlier thanks for all the advice it was alot of help when you are just learning it is nice to have a place to turn to get advice when you need it.