Advice for my tree

[dng]

Hello

I have a giant Mullberry tree in my front yard that needs to be cut down, due to the fact that it is pushing in my foundation wall.  I was wondering if it is worth saving the stump and having it milled.  I know Mullberry is not really sought after, and im not too sure if anyone actually makes furniture out of it.  But I was hoping to make my dinning room table or a coffee table out of it.  The tree is about 26" in diameter, Im not too sure how old it is because we just bought the house a year ago.  I guess my question is, do you think it would be worth the trouble for a mullberry?  and how long would you have to wait for the wood to dry before using it?  I know its kind of a dumb question but I though it would be such a waste if it was just cut down and taken away. 

 

[Guy Ashley]

Hi dng

This link might help

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Uses_for_Mulberry_Wood.html

Regards

Guy

 

[lumbajac]

I'd get it cut down first and then check for rot before lining up a portable mill.  If the log looks solid, and the trunk is relatively straight, I'd say go for it and get someone with a bandmill over to saw it up... try to get someone reputable and who knows how to get the best cuts out of the log.  There are a lot of people out there now with mills who might not yet have the experience to maximize the log.  However, if cost is a huge factor, the inexperienced might mill it for you at low cost just to get some time on their mill.

Additionally, if there are any burls make sure you don't waste them.  You can get some really nice figuration from the burls or use them for turning.  Check out Milling the Monster Mulberry Burl for an example of cutting mulberry burl.

I've personally never cut mulberry as it's not a local species for me.

 

[dng]

Thanks for the advice guys.  After watching that video it makes me want to do that even more. 

 

[JEP]

As far as how long it will take to dry is dependant on many factors--temperature, relative humidity, airflow, geographic location, species of wood, and thickness of the boards.  The old rule of thumb of 1" per year fails to account for these factors.  Taunton Press has two good books on the subject --"Wood and how to dry it" and "Selecting and Drying Wood."  You can also search the web for articles by Gene Wengert (the wood doc) for reliable info.

I had some logs given to me that I had sawn with a portable bandmill.  It was a lot of work, but rewarding, especially when it came to build things from the wood.  I set up a kiln in a metal out building to dry some of my lumber.  I stickered and stacked the boards inside, set up a small box fan and a dehumidifier.  During the day it would get to 110 inside, then cool off to about 85 each night; RH ranged between 10-30%.  I easily dryed 4/4 walnut, maple, poplar, and pine to 8% moisture in about a month, after they had air dried after sawing for about 3 months.

Good luck!

Joe

 

[nickao]

See if the guy that cuts offers kiln drying. Its so much easier. They take the wood off site and store it, then bring it back. It may be worth it depending on your regional prices.

 

[dng]

Thanks guys, but unfortunately I live in the city and could not find a portable sawmill.  I did however find a place not too far that offers milling and kiln drying, so I will give it a shot.  I just need to find a way to transport the log with my corolla  [unsure]  If that does not work I guess I will just keep the burls and have the tree guys take everything else.  Do you guys think its worth it for mulberry?

 

[Neill]

Just a thought, but you might not need all that lumber.  Maybe the miller would be willing to trade all or a part of his services for lumber that he could resell, if he is in that business.

Neill

 

[JEP]

You might see if the tree service would be willing to transport the log to the mill for a fee.  That's not unheard of in my area.

 

[DavidCBaker]

Do you guys think its worth it for mulberry?

I wouldn't think about it just in monetary terms, as wood "with a story" always has more value to me. Could you make something cool from YOUR tree, and would that mean more to you than buying lumber off someone else's shelf?

 

[-woodsman-]

I have harvested some very nice material with this set up.  You never really know what its going to look like until you cut it.

[attachthumb=#]

[attachthumb=#]

[attachthumb=#]

I frequently stop and nock on doors now to ask "what are you going to do with those logs".  Best finds of the summer have been spalted maple and wavy crotch ash.
kiln dried can yield more stock because its a controlled environment.  It can be pricy.  I did a batch last year.  450 USD.

Meant to say it yields more because there is less checking and twisting in the kiln.  If you get a burl you want to dry it before turning or slabbing.  I believe burls are sold by dry weight.