Sassafras trees for lumber

[REGULAR GUY]

Howdy all, The weathers breaking and it's good, no grrrreat to be out again. I got a Sassafras tree, 20" dbh with about 20' of good log with little taper. Is there any good usage for this?  Thanks in advance. Regular Guy

[Birchwood Logging]

It makes real pretty lumber back when we used to saw we sawed some made a set of kitchen cabinets out of it for a customer I also have made musical instetments out of it a really good tone wood 

[hackberry jake]

I have used it for outdoor furniture, trailer decking, and fence posts. It is fairly rot resistant.

[NMFP]

Works well for interior paneling, furniture and cabinetry.  Machines fairly easily and can often be used for drawer boxes, backer boards of cabinets and other small items depending on clarity.  Saw it up and put it out for sale.  It will sell because depending where you are, it might be rare to someone.  The only way to know what to do is try it and see what happens.

[Brian C.]

Lumber is on the soft side. I have built a couple of small items. It has a nice aroma as well. Easy to work with as well. Fairly straight grain.

[Brad_S.]

Like Brian said, very nice aroma.
Very strong grain pattern. Restorers sometimes use it as a passable chestnut substitute.

[Magicman]

I have sawn much that was used as wall paneling.

[Cedarman]

All of our bathrooms have cabinets and trim from sassafras.  A beautiful wood.  We made thick  6" wide trim.  Recommend it.

[Jimmy Mc]

I is a good wood for building aircraft out of. Straight grain light and strong. I use it for the boxes on my horse buggys. When I was a kid I would build kits with Sasafras crosses.

[REGULAR GUY]

Thanks all for your replays.  If I sawed it 5/4 for thickness, what would be the better length and widths for resale? Thanks again, Regular Guy

[hackberry jake]

8' 6" is a pretty common length. The width would be determined by log size. I would probably cut it into 4/4 and 8" wide. The rest of these boys are going to say wait for an end use so you know what size to cut.

[Brad_S.]

Saw for grade and don't worry about width. The log quality will dictate what the width will be.
I too would saw 4/4 (1 1/8").
I have very few people ever looking for 5/4.

[dboyt]

Sounds like a lot of tea!  Good sassafras logs are hard to find.  Traditionally, sassafras was used to make canoe paddles, because it has such a good strength/weight ratio.  It is a very durable wood, and dries to a very nice honey-brown color.  I've got some quarter sawn sassafras drying that I plan to try for instrument soundboards.  It would be nice for any furniture or paneling.  I cringe to say it, but it would make great trailer decking-- almost as good as walnut.

Ooops, just noticed that this is a duplicate thread and that most of what I wrote has already been posted.

[ely]

I would offer, furniture or wall boards.

[Magicman]

Because of it's resistance to insects and rot, it was also used as sills under buildings. 


 
The two longest axe hewn timbers shown here were barn sills that I recovered.


 
They are the closest ones here being washed.


 
After sizing on the sawmill,


 
they were used as my step risers.


 
For the lower as well as the upper steps.  Sassafras is good stuff.

[REGULAR GUY]

I ain't been back here for awhile.  Wanted to thank all for the replays. I'll saw it to 4/4 and see what I can get for it. Thanks guys again.  Regular Guy

[Tony]

    Made a couple of longbows out of sassafras, pretty good bow wood, too.

     Can't find any trees on our place over 8" dbh, don't know why!!!


                                                   Tony  8)

[scotthelms]

Also called Poor Mans Chestnut