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Thread: “Free” wood…

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Garland Tx
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    2,334

    Default “Free” wood…

    A couple of Pecan trees had their roots undercut by a stream and fell in a recent storm. We were offered these trees “Free…”

    Three old men and 3 days of hard work later, I’ll debate the meaning of “free”! The boles of these trees are 28”-30” in diameter and too large for our friend’s mill. We will have to trailer them to another mill, likely cost $200 -$300 to have them slabbed. The main portion of these trunks are 16’-18’ long… too long for our solar kiln. Sooooooooooo… Kiln drying is 50¢ per bd. Ft. per month. We’ll likely have $2.00 a bd ft in direct costs in these “free“ trees.

    Value is yet to be determined… we’ll know more soon. One tree appears to have fallen several years ago, and the tree will be worthless for live edge slabs, the other one may have a bee hive in it….
    SG

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Bell, Florida
    Posts
    409

    Default

    Starting a bee hive isn't cheep so you will have to subtract that from your cost as you got one with the trees.

    Pecan being a cousin of hickory you should have some beautiful slabs but if nothing else, use it while grilling your steak and chicken as it adds a sweet smooth flavor.

    Tim
    Tim Lucas Custom Woodworks
    www.TLCW.us

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Jasper, TX
    Posts
    536

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    I respectfully disagree about the worthless for live edge slabs. They sometimes look better without the bark, if that is what your thinking. And if it is not too rotten should have some beautiful spalting going on.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Piedmont, SD
    Posts
    728

    Default

    Nothing wrong with air drying, provided you have space and patience. Massive savings over kiln process.
    Yep - all it takes is a few trips to the woods with a chainsaw to appreciate the lumber truck delivering to your door. However, like most things in life - the really spectacular stuff will never land at your feet. In a year or so, your memory of this phase will fade, and all the possibilities with those stacks of slabs would make any of us giddy. Hang in there, think it through and you'll eventually be very glad you landed this lumber. (And likely swear you'll never do it again....!?)

    jeff

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Garland Tx
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    Default

    I guess I’m a glutton for punishment… The lady who gave us these trees just offered us a HUGE Osage orange (Bois d'Arc or Bodark for you Texans…). Normally, Osage orange is only available in short chunks, this tree will have planks big enough for a large table… or several of them!
    SG

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    7,832

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by steve_g View Post
    I guess I’m a glutton for punishment… The lady who gave us these trees just offered us a HUGE Osage orange (Bois d'Arc or Bodark for you Texans…). Normally, Osage orange is only available in short chunks, this tree will have planks big enough for a large table… or several of them!
    SG
    I've only seen it in chucks big enough for bowls so i would go by this slogan...

    "My name is Jimmy, i'll take anything you gimmie"
    Words of Wisdom:
    “Words that sink into your ears are whispered…… not yelled”
    “The biggest trouble maker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every morn’n”
    “The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth”
    -----------
    Just remember...when it's time for the hearse to pull up..there's no luggage rack on top!
    -----------
    The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it...Thomas Jefferson

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    Lakin KS
    Posts
    316

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    Well, there is very little in this world that is truly "free", but sounds like you are going to come out ahead. Pecan and Osage Orange nice!
    Tom Bachman,
    Drafting/Woodworking Instructor RETIRED!
    Lakin, Kansas

    2001 PRT4896
    https://i.imgur.com/xWEFfDk.jpg

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Marietta, Ga.
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    324

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    Hmmm... Pecans and Osage Orange, sounds like the start of a nice fruit salad....joe

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Hampton Roads, VA
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    1,128

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    Have you ever used a chainsaw on Osage? I don't know if that would be worth the pain and suffering. Think about it more like cutting steel than wood.
    "Once a person moves away from the computer and CNC some of the most important work begins." ~Joe Crumley

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Garland Tx
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    Default

    Khaos…
    Yes, I’m not going into this venture blind! I’ve actually seen sparks fly when cutting Osage orange at dusk! Will be ordering a carbide toothed chain before we tackle this tree! Recent rains have delayed when it will be practical to get to the field where the tree is. Even if I must wait till summer, it’s not going anywhere!
    SG

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