Milling Big Red Oak, cut it down in 1998, STILL beautiful inside

[Ironwood]

Just wanted to share a very interesting day of milling on Saturday. We had some huge Red Oaks come down in a wind storm in 1998. Cut up most as bartops, several big (30-36")upper logs still laying on the tree line up on timbers. Well, decided I needed some roof decking and barn siding and I might as well whack'em up. So, brushed off the saplings and grass growin on them, and started milling, chainsawing actually as they were tight for the Timber Harvester. Well, unbelievably they were in outstanding shape. At one point  I had to stop the sawyer and had him mill off some bookmatched dining table boards, I got six beautiful 17"x 12' x 8/4 planks, with no heart and clear!!!!!! a little bug hole visible at one end but WOW I WOULD HAVE NEVER GUESSED! Also seems that most monster trees have some subtle curl as well, which these had. Now I just need to hide them from the wind and sun!!!

  Just wanted to share, I was totally amazed!

                         REID

[Rockn H]

Reid, that sounds like some nice lumber.  How about some pics. ;D

[Ironwood]

Still to busy to learn to post pics. Just envision, semi rift sawn, cathedral grain, semi-centered heart, clear. Did I paint the picture well? Reid

[Dan_Shade]

I've cut some nice wood that's been down here for quite a while.  Hardwood definately seems to last a while, especially if still hooked to the roots.

[dutchman]

Sounds like nice wood, Reid.
Cut up that Pin Oak Sat., made 788 bdf.
Cleaned up around the mill, all the slabs went for firewood.

[Ironwood]

Dutchman,

  I worked out a nice arrangement for my slabs, local tree trimmer whom I get logs from, cuts and takes them to a BBQ guy. I ended up with free ribs and chicken out of the deal, too bad my wife a vegetarian, it could be a regular weekend event otherwise. funny tale, as I am leaving the BBQ, I am hauling 6 pieces of 36'   hemlock 6X12's  (recycled bridge timbers) there are centered on my deck over 12' trailer. Fronts stick all the way to the bulkhead of my 12' truck bed, rear  is 12' over the end of the trailer (flagged of course), needless to say quite a sight, then I'm starving trying to eat half a chicken as I shift and manuver  for the  half hour trip home. WOW that was fun!!!!!!!!!! :

[rebocardo]

That is great. Myself, I have not had much luck with recent blown down red oaks, just the white oak.

[Ironwood]

Rebocardo,

  Yeah, I never thought. It was not connected to the stump. It was a huge top heavy healthy blowdown.  Just up off the ground in log form back by my shop. I did find the "wormy oak" look today as I pressure washed the slabs. I did a diluted bleach wash then pressure washed them. Very nice. I silmiltaneously photographed them as the curl is better pronounced the longer they are wet from washing. I tend to fuss a bit over the nicer things I find as i know if I had to pay market I couldn't afford them. Now just a SSSLOW dry.

                                   Reid