The Forestry Forum

I am milling hardwood maple and red oak to build horse stalls. (Taking the over-mature trees...NOT the good stuff!) I have been cuttin 12ft long, 29-33inches wide, 1.2 inch thick slabs.I have sealed them as soon as they were cut. How long do they need to dry for this non technical and not very precise operation?

The other question is I have found a few where they were tapped for years..20-30 holes found in the foot or two from the base. The tapped trees seen to color the heartwood and make a really intereting "flame" like effect up the tree. Anyone ever make tables or benches taking advantage of that pattern? If I was to try to make a few tables and benches how do I need to dry & prep the wood?

I sell wood to the horse set as green lumber, and I think they put it up right away. I rarely sell it wider than 12 inches though because a large board that has been nailed near the edges will split as it shrinks. Here in New York, the drying season is pretty much over. Wood will dry somewhat in the cold, but rather insignificantly so until April/May.

You can use the wood for tables and benches. How dry it needs to be depends on where you will use it (indoors or out) and the construction methods you plan to use (rustic or fine furniture). Your choices right now are air dry till late next summer, air dry in a heated environment for several months, or kiln dry. Air drying slabs that wide under cover (in a garage or shed) may be the gentlest method. There are many Menonite kilns in your area that dry lumber (too) inexpensively.

Weimedog,

I can be a little slow on the up-take, so I just now got your poly ticks joke.  :D :D :D

Can tell you're an Up Stater. If we didn't laugh, we'd probably all become homicidal. ;D

I seem to recall reading somewhere that the tapped wood was very desirable or sought out possibly for the reason you stated...........Like high dollar stuff :)

Found this guys web page.

http://www.moosemaple.com/

Among other things he is making tables etc out of tapped maple. Might be a few ideas there.

http://www.moosemaple.com/portfolio/stool4-lg.jpg

Sometimes there is no difference between 'defect' and 'feature'  ;D

Ian

  A good person to ask would be BBTom . He has a maple syrup operation and cuts some of his  older trees into lumber . Maybe send him an IM  if he doesn't respond to this thread .