In my backyard there is an old plum tree that's about a foot in diameter that has some weird growths and diseases. Recently my mother has decided that it will need to get cut down because it is becoming a hazard (cracks forming in the heavy branches). As far as I have been able to tell from my time here in the luthier's corner weird growths and diseases (in trees of course ;) ) = cool grain, so I've been thinking that when it's cut down I should make sure that only the branches are severed from the trunk and the trunk cut off at the stump so I have the whole trunk intact (about five or so feet tall). My question is would I have to get it milled before I set it in a dry corner of the garage to dry for about a year, or do I let the whole log dry before getting it cut into usable board pieces? Also, will many large lumber retailers do the milling of the trunk for me or will I probably have to find a separate place for that? Thanks, once again, for any help! :D

I think that either Larry or Mr. Majestic would better answer this than I. I would *assume* that you'd want to slice it up, as it would take *forever* to dry as a whole log... but then, I've seen people say that if it hasn't dried for several years, it's not dry enough...

Kiln drying, of course, changes things...

Yeah, I thought that it would take forever to dry as a whole log, but I want to be sure. I'm more concerned about the means as to how I would get it cut; especially if I were to get it quartersawn. I do understand that it is a little more complicated than simply slicing up a a tree and stacking the planks in my garage for a year, but this is why I ask. :)

This is too big a subject to cover well in a forum. Many variables but the basics are:

1) Mill as soon as you can and as thin as you need but with extra to allow for shrinkage and smoothing later. The biggest problem here is finding a saw to do the job.

2) Seal the ends to keep moisture from escaping too fast.

3) Sticker well and protect from sun, rain, bugs and mold.

4) Develop patience. If you can't wait then find someone with a drying kiln who knows what he is doing.

Do all that and you will likely discover that it is cheaper just to go get material from a reputable vendor who has already figured out how to do this.

Greg N

Check with local lumber yards or exotic wood places. They might be able to cut or know where you can kiln dry it.

As nelson says, it's not a quick subject. You can probably search up anything that's been posted on it here at TB (it has been covered to some extent a few times) by searching on "anchorseal."

TBer T2W has post a few times something about this topic. He used to go to the forest in Canada y get back with his own pieces of ash or maple or whatever. Look for his posts.

Thanks for the advice everyone! Out of everything that's been stated, none of it is a problem at all (except the initial cutting), most of it is to be expected but it sounds like I would do well to try and find a book that touches the subject at the library.

Nelson Guitars - it would probably be more worth my while to just buy boards from a local woodshop, but how much cooler is it to have instruments made from the backyard you grew up in rather than just any old pretty wood? Besides that, it would be another learning experience. :)

how much cooler is it to have instruments made from the backyard you grew up in rather than just any old pretty wood?

Absolutely!

I highly recommend Hoadly's "Understanding Wood" to anyone who wants to understand wood. There is a great section on what happens to wood as it dries.

Greg N

There are usually at least one or two small saw mills in any given locality. Hit the yellow pages and you're sure to find one. They would probably be the best people to ask these questions of, since they are the ones you will most likely be dealing with.

There are actually six small to medium owner/ operator saw mills within about fifty miles of my house (Wisconsin, go figure) that I am aware of. I send lumber (trees that I have cut down) to two of them on a semi regular basis. Each one tends to do things just a little bit differently, but both prefer that I bring the logs to them within a week or two of them being cut down. What happens from there I really couldn't say, but the end result is always nice.

If you store this log(s) yourself, where are you going to keep it? You can't leave it outside in the elements, and even if you cover it you still have bugs to contend with. The garage is always an option, but do you really want to give termites a good reason to move into your garage?

I would suggest you find a reputable mill in your area, and let them deal with it.

Thanks again for all the valuable advice! I asked my woodshop teacher (which should have occurred to me to try first XP) and it turns out that a student's dad at my school works with a local mill, so I'm going to try to find him tomorrow and find out if I can work out something with his dad.