Checking out a spot to cut Black Ash

[deadeye]

A friend of mine cuts his own lumber to make fantastic furniture and other wood products.  Last year he cut a number of black, green and white ash on my land and used his portable saw mill to make lumber.  That lumber was in a solar kiln over winter and is now ready to be used.  Yesterday we went to check out another black ash stand on my land.  While there we found a huge birch tree with at least 4 crotches.  He makes bowls vases and other items from the tree crotches.  The massive log will be cut in 2 inch slabs for table tops.  birch has a unique "heart" wood center which makes very interesting wood slabs.  Also on the agenda was cutting 3-5 dead elms. Two reasons to cut them.  First of all three were dropping limbs on my plots and trails and secondly he wanted to check to see if they were "spalted".  Spalting is any form of wood coloration caused by fungi. Although primarily found in dead trees, spalting can also occur in living trees under stress. Although spalting can cause weight loss and strength loss in the wood, the unique coloration and patterns of spalted wood are sought by woodworkers.  To his delight, several of the elms were spalted. 

Buddy ready to drop a very big birch tree.


We found spalting in this dead elm standing in the middle of a small food plot.


Yes, there was an old deer stand in this dead elm.

[dakids]

Very cool Deadeye.   Any pictures of the spalting or birch slabs?

[deadeye]

No, the birch log is still out in the woods.  Waiting until it freezes a bit more before he brings his saw mill out there. I will take some pictures of spalting when he cuts some boards.