Oak tree down - what to do with the timber
Discussion
We’ve had an oak tree cut down (would have fallen if not taken down) just wondered what we could do with the wood
We’ve got tonnes of firewood, given a load to a neighbour but still got a lot left.
Would local wood turners be interested ?
Where would I find such people ?
I can save it all for firewood but it seems a waste when it’s such good quality
Other ideas welcome
AIUI, most people who are going to do anything useful with it can get enough from tree surgeons.
People will pay good money for kiln dried planks, but you need to think about that before chainsawing it into firewood lumps.
And the process of converting logs to good planks is not trivial.
I have used cut logs for edging raised beds and that kind of 'rustic' work.
People will pay good money for kiln dried planks, but you need to think about that before chainsawing it into firewood lumps.
And the process of converting logs to good planks is not trivial.
I have used cut logs for edging raised beds and that kind of 'rustic' work.
Need to find who has an alaskan mill locally.We had a big oak tree go down, we wondered the same thing and went down the route of having it planked, stored for seasoning then turned into some bits of furniture (side tables, book shelves, etc.) by a local joiner.
By the time we had done all that, the furniture cost about x5 what it would have cost to just buy from a shop.
If you can burn it, get it cut into rounds and hire/borrow/buy a log splitter. Given the cost of firewood these days, it’ll be the most cost effective use.
By the time we had done all that, the furniture cost about x5 what it would have cost to just buy from a shop.
If you can burn it, get it cut into rounds and hire/borrow/buy a log splitter. Given the cost of firewood these days, it’ll be the most cost effective use.
PhilboSE said:
We had a big oak tree go down, we wondered the same thing and went down the route of having it planked, stored for seasoning then turned into some bits of furniture (side tables, book shelves, etc.) by a local joiner.
By the time we had done all that, the furniture cost about x5 what it would have cost to just buy from a shop.
By the time we had done all that, the furniture cost about x5 what it would have cost to just buy from a shop.
I was thinking more along the lines of waney edge planking for a shed, but the world is the OP's oyster.If you’re going to try to offload it for craft purposes, be aware that the cut direction desired is sometimes different.
I have some slabs of various woods currently slow-seasoning, lengthways cut rather than cross-cut, and end sealed with a view that they can be used for something other than just burning.
Another option if you have enough for planks/worktops is to look for someone with a woodmizer portable mill. Whatever is produced is still then going to need to season, properly stacked, before it can be used.
I have some slabs of various woods currently slow-seasoning, lengthways cut rather than cross-cut, and end sealed with a view that they can be used for something other than just burning.
Another option if you have enough for planks/worktops is to look for someone with a woodmizer portable mill. Whatever is produced is still then going to need to season, properly stacked, before it can be used.
We had an oak tree cut down and asked the tree surgeon about the wood; he said people often don't want domestic tree wood because there are often nails in there, which obviously causes upset... Plus combined with how long it needs to be left for before it can be used to dry out (menopause brain, I can't remember the name when you leave fresh wood to cure... dry out.. whatever it's called!).
I thought he was telling fibs, and just wanted the wood for himself. About 2 weeks later in the other oak tree in the garden, I noticed an old nail poking out (decades old). I guess he was right !!!
I thought he was telling fibs, and just wanted the wood for himself. About 2 weeks later in the other oak tree in the garden, I noticed an old nail poking out (decades old). I guess he was right !!!
Wood for turning would get you the highest price - I've bought some and it's invariably seasoned, usually with a wax seal on the ends. If you turn unseasoned wood it will split as it dries out. So for best returns you'll need to put some time and work in, which you may not want to do.
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