Harvest/Milling ash during warm months??

[joejeep]

I was told recently by a tree removal friend of mine not to harvest ash to mill when sap was flowing in trees during warm months. Claims it will crack like crazy. Any truth to this.

[buzywoodliff]

I think all of our ash is standing there dead.... Standing by to see what others have to say.

[WDH]

No.

[beenthere]

X2 what WDH says...

[chep]

 

  In my personal experience, .ash splits checks a lot more in the warmer months then in the winter. We try to use flitch savers asap on the landing. When that duty was neglected for to long the logs checked. Any more then a few days.  Even logs that had grown on flat ground and had pretty even growth rings still checked quick.
  We cut white ash mostly and I am not sure why my experience is different with ash, but it is...even this little guy checked right off the stump, this is from fall by the way, not hot weather just a creamy tree. Couldn't help myself

[joejeep]

The only time that I did try milling ash was during dead of winter.. Cutting 8/4x12s for my uncle. They were splitting as I stacked them. Didnt get one use able one.

[Ron Wenrich]

I've sawn ash all year long.  Some logs split, some don't.  I've noticed the same in hickory.  I've also seen it in oak, though not as pronounced.  We end up putting S hooks in the veneer logs to prevent further splitting. 

From a sawing perspective, I'd rather have the log split along its natural stress points.  That way I know where the defect lies, and I can saw around it.  If I saw through the defect, it will become apparent when the the board hits the deck, and splits.  Or you dry it, and it splits. 

I don't think sap flow is the issue.  It's the nature of the wood.

[sandsawmill14]

maybe the because of my location but the ash doesnt check much worse than other hardwoods but it is very brittle. I had 1 thats was about 22" dia with a little sweep in  it break into 3 pieces when it hit the ground and if 1 ever falls across a stump or another tree top it will break. I just saw them anyway but do get some odd length lumber sometimes  I dont know which ash it is but looks like cheps pic

[Magicman]

From a sawing perspective, I'd rather have the log split along its natural stress points.  That way I know where the defect lies, and I can saw around it.  If I saw through the defect, it will become apparent when the the board hits the deck, and splits.

Thanks Ron.  I have tried to emphasize this point several times recently. 

Watch for natural checks and open the log accordingly.  The initial face opening will determine the quality as well as the quantity of the log's yield.  Some species are much more susceptible to natural checks; Cherry, Ash, Tulip Poplar, Cypress, and Oak to name a few.

[red oaks lumber]

ash is one of the lowest m.c.of any tree so,it dries alittle faster than trees with a higher m.c.
i try to saw logs from oldest to newest as to the time they have been in the wood yard

[WDH]

Ash usually has a lot of growth stress in it, at least down here.