I envision using whole, barked logs (4-5in diameter) for the posts holding up my kitchen counters. I'm thinking Western Red cedar. If I cut them now with sap running, will they check more or less than if I cut them in the fall? Or does it matter? (If it is hard to conceive of posts holding up kitchen counters, just think about making table legs out of whole pieces of barked log.)

-- snoozy (allen@oz.net), April 27, 2001

Answers

Response to When to cut logs for least checking as they dry

Snoozy: Sounds like that could be very pretty! I don't think it matters what time of the year because what checks em is drying to fast. keep wood out of the full sun and let em dry slowly. Even wet em down once in a while. even if they end up splitting some it will still be natural and beautiful. Good cuttin. Wish I could see the end result!.....Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), April 27, 2001.

Response to When to cut logs for least checking as they dry

We have cut a lot of red cedar for fence posts and construction. We try to take fallen trees if possible, which are already dry and rarely cracked. When taking live trees for the house, we painted the ends with old latex paint to slow the drying.

I just used some fresh cut live cedar for fence posts last week and they were just oozing sticky sap everywhere. My guess is that fall/ winter cut timber is better, but it's probably not critical.

-- David C (fleece@eritter.net), April 27, 2001.

Hey David thanks for the latex paint tip. Should help huh?....Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), April 28, 2001.

we used canning parafin on some black walnut we used for some tools and it didnt check at all. just seal both ends, it will slow the drying process, but you wont have nearly the amount of checking.

-- jeromeah barnhill (solvej99@yahoo.com), April 29, 2001.

AS FOR CUTTING LOGS.THEY HAVE BEEN FELLING THEM IN THE WINTER FROM AS FAR BACK AS 10BC IN WRITEN RECORDS.THE WINTER IS THE BEST TIME AS THE MOISTURE GOES DOWN INTO THE ROOT SYSTEM.SO THEY ARE DRIER.

SECOND CHOICE TIME=LATE FALL THIRD CHOICE TIME=SUMMER WORST CHOICE TIME=SPRING[FULL OF SAP AND ARE MOST PRONE TO CHECKING AND DECAY]

LEAVING THE BARK ON LONGER SLOWS DOWN THE CHECKING AS WELL.WESTERN RED CEDAR IS AN EXCELLENT CHOICE AS IT SHRINKS VERY LITTLE.

CORDially YOURS CORDWOODGUY

PS:THERE IS A CHEMICAL "PEG" THAT CRAFTSMEN USE TO TREAT THEIR WOOD SO IT WILL NOT CRACK.IF MUST BE ENVIRO SAFE AS THEY TURN OUT BOWLS TREATED WITH THIS STUFF.

-- cordwoodguy (cordwoodguy@n2teaching.com), May 01, 2001.

Thank you all for your help. I will try to hold out till fall to cut, and then seal the ends, but I sure do want to get started on my kitchen. I haven't had a kitchen sink in three years and I am plum fed up. Doing dishes outside has its advantages -- you can blast the bejesus off your plates with the garden hose outside and it matters not how much mess you make. But it's getting really old.

-- snoozy (allen@oz.net), May 02, 2001.

Snoozy, Best take care when using a garden hose on anything you consume or use to consume. Bacteria grows like crazy in a garden hose. Glenn

-- Glenn (gj_usa1@yahoo.com), May 04, 2001.