Harvesting Fire Stricken SYP

[MMann]

In light of the direction another one of my posts is going, I thought I'd get the pros involved.  I am new (green) to milling and was planning on harvesting trees that died in the Texas 2011 Labor Day wild fires in order to build my home.  As stated in my post on the sawing and milling page, I have been under the impression that I had about a year to havest SYP after it has died.  With that said, I also figured the trees didn't die right away, and might have held on for a few months until the shock took its toll.  It's been exactly 1yr 3mo since the fires.  Another assumption was that since the trees were lightly scorched at the base and didn't burn, they would still be good.  I know I am doing alot of assuming, but short of getting the real world experience, that is all I can do.  A forum member that replied to my post mentioned that the wood may not be suitable for structural use.  He also mentioned termites. 
How do I determine if the wood is structurally sound? 
Is it obvious, or do I need to have it tested? 
How can I treat it for termites and pine beetles? 
I use Demon WP around the house, will that work? 
What other concerns should i have?

Thank you for you help,
Matt 

[beenthere]

Cut a tree or two down and buck it up. You will be able to see what the wood looks like, as well as see if the tree broke up during the fall. The answer to your question right quick. ;)

[MMann]

Simple enough!  Thanks beenthere.

[beenthere]

If you get a chance to saw some up, then make some tests pieces like some 2x2's or even 1x1's about 2' long. Bridge them across some blocks and stand on them to see if they break. If they do and the break is a long splinter-type break then that is better than a break straight across the fibers (which would be if decay is in early stages of breaking down the wood). Make some test pieces from known live trees the same way and compare the results. Drive some nails in the different live and dead wood to compare the wood strength as well.
Hit the ends of the logs with a hammer and listen for the ringing sound for solid wood vs. the dull hollow thud of decayed wood.
There should be a number of clues once you get a tree or two down. Weight of the pieces is one of them.

Getting timbers that will pass for beams may be trickier, unless you can set up something to evalutate their strength.

[WDH]

We used to use the "knife" test on standing dead SYP.  You stick the point of a pocket knife in the wood, and it if penetrates with any ease, no good.  The wood should be hard and resist the penetration of the knife.  Also, like Magicman said in the other thread, if the log breaks as it falls and hits the ground, no good. 

The bugs are an issue before the wood is sawn because of what they do to the wood, not after it is sawn into the lumber.  The bugs cannot survive in the drying boards.  (note: this is not the same for hardwoods, unfortunately  ).

[MMann]

WDH, when performing this highly technical knife test, should the bark be removed from the test site?

[WDH]

Yep.  Many times the bark is already gone anyway.  If not, it usually peels off easily (because of said bugs  ). 

[MMann]

Thanks for the advice WDH.
Matt

[tempforce]

i'm working on the same fire kilned trees, a bit north of you. most of the trees i've brought down are still o.k.  i won't know for sure until i can get the mill and start cutting lumber...   hopefully i'll have enough lumber / boards to build a work shop / barn...

[MMann]

Tempforce, how far north of Bastrop are you? I actually got the mill set up yesterday and started milling. I stated with logs from the middle section of the trees so I can make my stickers and 6x6's to get my stacks off the ground. Once I get all of that done I'll start on the better logs for my structural lumber. I'm still hopeful! Keep me updated on all of your issues and successes if you can.
Matt

[tempforce]

i re-read your post.. i see you are dealing with cypress.. i have pine.... i brought down two skinny trees today that are junk..... so time is getting close. for my pine salvage ... your cypress will be different... hope you have good wood...
i'm 6 miles S.E. of bastrop... circle 'd' area..   is your mill portable ???  would like to come see it sometime... pm. me.. if you want to talk shop...

my '83' Ford Diesel Ranger hauling the fuel and tools..