The Forestry Forum

Got some pine that has been on the ground for almost a year now and have been cutting it into 8x8's to get it stacked. Have been thinking about cutting enough of em for a cabin up north of the bridge... (not the big one but the little one in Houghton). Anyways, befor winter set in, I noticed that some of them had discoloration in the sap wood.  Some of em even had a little bit of white mold type stuff growing on them. whats the concensious on whether or not the stuff is worth useing in a structural manner, or should I just be cutting it as 1 inch and use it for odds and ends?  I kinda think that if it stays dry it should be fine, but better to think about it now rather than later.

I would think that just mold won't affect the structral integrity, but it might be a prelude to rot which definately will. Can you mill the logs and then keep the wood under cover? That might be your best bet.

I keep it covered after being cut... not concerned with mosture right now because it is 0... which is actually kinda warm for what it has been... even when the stuff is covered it still develops the discoloration... don't mind the color variation... just dont want to start building a log place and have to start replacing portions because they were already rotten... idealy I will be able to cut enough so that I can pick out the bad ones...

Norwiscutter,
If the discoloration is blue or bluish grey, you can safely ignore it.  This discoloration has almost zero effect on the strength of the wood and it will stop advancing once the wood is dry.  If the discoloration is brown, then you have deterioration and should use it only for places where structural strength is not as important.  Parts of the log without discoloration will retain their strength when dried.   Red pine will get blue stain in it within weeks of being cut if not sawed up quickly in summer, and will start to decay within a year or two.  White pine will discolor, but it takes a bit longer for it to decay.  Jack pine is between the 2, I think.

If the white mold is on the end or outside of the log, it just signals that you need to take care of the log soon.  If it shows inside the log as you cut, the log has serious problems and you may have trouble finding a use for that wood as it will be very weak.

I'd probably do a scientific test, saw out a 2X6X8 and supprot one end.  Then walk up the board to the middle.  If it didn't break, you have a strong one.  Beware of knots in the board though.  Knots weaken the board and may give a false sense of the strength of the lumber.