advice on walnut

[jdw]

I was in the right place at the right time the other day, a guy had just had a black walnut tree cut down. After talking to him he said if I wanted it to come and get it out of his yard. So I loaded it up and hauled it home  ;D My question is should I slab it or cut boards out of it? The butt log is about 30 inches and I'd say 10 foot to the fork. I've been asked alot about walnut but never had any. So which way is the best boards or slabs?

[Ron Wenrich]

Veneer quality?  If so, its probably worth more in the log.  All the walnut I cut was into boards, but I never sold any to the public.  We separated out the veneer and cut the sawlogs for the wholesale market.  Also, check for metal. 

[SawyerBrown]

I've had so many people want live-edge, I'd say go that way, I think you'll get a premium for it.  Our neighbors just had a dining room table built out of walnut, probably 2" thick, using live-edge on the sides -- beautiful with the contrasting dark heart wood vs the lighter sap wood!

Besides, it's much easier to trim the live-edge off than to stick it back on!   ;D

[esteadle]

Live edge sells better generally in Western PA.  I would try to cut it pretty thick.  I like to cut 9/4 (8/4 + 1/4" over) which allows for re-sawing down the line. When you cut them, mark the matching faces so that your buyer will know which one's match up when they are ready. And when you off-bear and stack them, treat them like the prize they are. We got $500 for 6 slabs of Green (not dried) Black Walnut late last year, about 2 days off the mill. I can't keep it in stock! Best of luck to you.

[Brad_bb]

What those guys said!  Just watch your pith.  if it's pretty centered and in your center slab, you can cut the pith out of that center slab to get 2 decent boards.

I had 2 6x6's that checked badly over the winter.  One checked completely in half! 

[WDH]

I would cut some of both.  9/4, wide, live-edge slabs can bring a lot of $ if they are dry.

[WV Sawmiller]

I would cut some of both.  9/4, wide, live-edge slabs can bring a lot of $ if they are dry.

WDH,

   Are you talking about KD or air dry? If air dry what moisture content are you suggesting? I have several hundred bf of mostly 8/4 and sell a few at a time. Many call and want it air dried longer. Since I don't have climate controlled storage I am not going to try to KD any of it. Just sell it little by little. Since I mostly target mobile sawing I am not in a rush to unload it.

[WDH]

Kiln dried to less than 10%.