Sawmilling
	Air Drying	Terms and Conditions	What Type Of Logs Should Be Sawn?

We prefer the logs to be between 8 and 16 feet in length and approximately 8" and greater in diameter on the small end.  We prefer the large end not to be larger than 36" in diameter , these are the ideal size for the sawmill.  We can also cut other size logs.

It may take several days or several weeks to complete your job depending on how back logged we are, how well the weather cooperates, how many logs you may have, and any type of breakdowns we may have.

Below are a few ideas on what you can do in advance:

Keep the logs clean.  Dirt, rocks, and mud can dull a sawblade very quickly, if the logs are dirty they will need to be cleaned before they are cut. Check for any nails and other foreign materials.  Rocks, nails, wire, fence insulators etc can damage or destroy a blade.  If we damage or destroy a blade we will have to charge you for the damaged blade. Remove any limbs and large forks.  Make sure all limbs and any forks are flush cut to the tree.  When moving logs on our infeed rails and sawmill they need to be able to roll very easily. Check to make sure logs are straight.  Logs that have crook or twist to them makes it more difficult to handle and could cause a decreased amount of lumber produced. Green logs are better to saw.  Logs can be sawed regardless of the length of time since they were taken down, however for the best quality lumber green is preferrred. Buck logs to the correct length.  For the best quality quarter sawn lumber the log should be 20" diameter minimum, have no crook, and the pith should be centered on both ends.

What Type Of Logs Should Be Sawn?

Below are several examples of logs that should not be brought to be sawn.  Logs need to be straight as possible without any rot.
This log has more than 50% split out with dry rot.	This log is to crooked and cannot be cut.
This log is to crooked and has to much stress.

Below are several examples of logs that need to be trimmed prior to being delivered to the sawmill.  Trimmed logs should be easy to turn and roll without having obstructions from unflush cut limbs and forks. Having the the limbs and forks trimmed flush can save you additional costs, hourly rates apply to have the sawyer flush cut the limbs, forks or bucking logs to length.
Limbs need to be trimmed flush to the trunk.	Fork needs to be trimmed flush with the trunk.
Limbs and forks need to be trimmed flushed
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Air Drying Your Lumber

Typically, air drying lumber can take three months to one year per inch of thickness depending on the type of wood before the wood is dry enough to use. In the Mid-Atlantic region, wood will air dry to approximately 12-14% if properly stacked and sticked.  Lumber over 2” thick is difficult to dry, and may develop specific drying defects.

It is best to have the lumber stack as level and flat as possible.  Variations in the stack will translate to the lumber in the pile, if the stack is not flat, the wood in the pile will dry warped.  Stickers should be aligned on top of each other in the stack and be placed 18-24 inches apart.  The stack should be well supported with blocks to combat the beams sagging from the weight of the lumber.  The bottom of the lumber stack should also be elevated 12-16" off of the ground, to keep weeds and animal impacts to the pile at a minimum.  The platform should be constructed as long as the longest lumber is, and stack width is best when 4 to 6 feet wide.

 The pile should be weighted down and the top covered.  Covering the sides of the stack with a tarp will result in moldy lumber.  Air must be able to move through the stack.  Lumber should be stacked and sticked within 24 hours of being sawn to avoid mold problems.  Mold develops quickly during Spring and Summer on pine wood.  A light mixture of bleach sprayed on the wood stack helps inhibit mold growth, but mold may still develop if it is warm out.

Wood stacks should be left in an open, but shaded where airflow is not inhibited.  Direct Sunlight may cause drying defects.

Lumber losses due to material degradation (warp, check, stain, etc.) can be expected while drying.

Additional information can be obtained from the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-117

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