Mill or Don't Mill

[pezrock]

This log is sitting in Westchester County, NY and I don't know what it is. I started selling slabs just recently and I am relatively new to this. So I'd like some help from anyone that can offer it. What is it? Would you mill it? Is the effort not worth the value? The diameter is about 28" at the small end and 36" at the large end which I will have to trim to 30". I don't have a machine to load onto my trailer. Just a winch to shimmy it up and some left over muscle from my high school football days.  <

 

 

 

[Ljohnsaw]

Welcome.
Where in Westchester co.?  I grew up in Croton.  Looks like maple to me.  Probably get some great figure with the crotch and the branches.

[doc henderson]

the vines on the bark may be old poison ivy, so use caution if allergic.  It is a tough one with out the proper equipment.

[terrifictimbersllc]

Worth it is a relative term. I'd mill it for myself if I wanted some more maple. If that one appeared next in my customer's log pile I would assume he'd get some nice boards from it. 

[Old Greenhorn]

Welcome to the forum, I see this is your very first post. You say you are new to milling, so yes, mill it. These are the logs you learn things on. You never know what's inside until you open it. I don't see any info in your profile such as mill type, location, or any of that stuff which helps folks give you better answers. Filling that in will help. Looks like a soft maple to me, but opening it up might help with your skills development on the mill either way. If nothing else, some thick slabs for garden benches or a workbench near the mill can be handy to have.
 Bets of luck with it and welcome to the forum. I am just a bit north of you in Ulster county.

[Chuck White]

Welcome to the Forestry Forum, pezrock!

[cutterboy]

Yes, mill it! It might make some beautiful slabs. On the other hand it might not. Either way it will be fun.

[Gere Flewelling]

Looks like a Rock Maple /Sugar Maple to me.  Being a butt log it might have some tap holes in it.  Hopefully no grown over spiels.  That is pretty hard wood compared to soft maple.  Keep it covered up after you mill it to keep it light in color.  Should make some interesting slabs.  Good luck!

[Nebraska]

Welcome, post pictures when you are done.  Milling is a slippery slope,  winches, skid steers, tractors, kilns and more chainsaws are a few things that some how kind of start appearing.  Good luck with your journey.

[sealark37]

You won't know until you do it.  Don't depend on those teenage muscles.  Assorted blocks, levers, jacks, chains and straps will assist your winch to load.

[pezrock]

Welcome.
Where in Westchester co.?  I grew up in Croton.  Looks like maple to me.  Probably get some great figure with the crotch and the branches.

Hello, 
Harrison, NY. Thank you, Maple seems to be the consensus. 

[pezrock]

Thanks for all the responses. I will try and grab it next week and I'll post photos when I am done.