Frequently Asked Questions

Your Timber Or Mine?
If you are trying to decide between using a tree, logs, or other raw wood source that you have and lumber that I have available, here are a few thoughts that might help you:

• Does your wood source have any sentimental value to you? Grampa's tree, the tree you planted as a kid, or timbers from uncle's barn. If it does, use it.
  
  
• Time: how soon do you want to be able to build a project with the wood? If you have enough time to complete the drying process, use your supply. If your time frame for building is short, use my material that is already kiln dried.
  
  
• Quantity: how much wood do you need or want? If your project requires only a small amount of material, use my stock that is ready to go. If you need a large quantity and have it available, or if you need unusual sizes, use your logs.
  
  
• Does your wood supply match your wants? 12" wide fully quarter sawn boards do not come out of 17" diameter logs. 38" wide table top slabs do not come out of 24" diameter logs. It sounds too simple, but do you want black walnut and all you have are pine and red oak logs? You get the idea now.
  
  
• Very important: do you have a place to properly sticker and protect your cut lumber while it is drying? The best sawing job can be ruined by poor stickering conditions. If you don't have a good place for stickering, we can still use your wood and put it thru my dry kiln. If you have provisions for good stickering, it will save you money, inspire your project thinking and probably smell good.
  
  
• Everybody has unique circumstances that influence their decision making on which process suits them best. If you think your situation is unusual, abnormal, weird, too big, too small, call me, I'll be happy to help, I love a challenge.

Where Do I Find Local Retailers?
My showroom–please call to make an appointment. I also have woods products for sale at Recycle Ann Arbor.

What Is My Tree Worth?
Most yard trees, including black walnut, are not worth anything as a standing tree until they are taken down and turned into lumber. The cost of equipment and personnel for tree removal normally exceeds the value of the lumber within the tree. However, the value of the tree to the owner often exceeds so-called market value.

Commercial timber buyers like to fill at least a couple of semi trucks with logs in order for them to justify the cost of a cutting crew. In other words, they will not even look at yard trees.

In addition, trees in a yard, next to a house, or along the lot line, have a 90% chance of having nails, screws, clothesline hooks, porcelain insulators, and other assorted hardware in them. Non-wood items damage saw blades, ruin lumber, and take extra time to deal with.

Do I Buy Logs?
I will sometimes purchase logs that are delivered to me and meet my current specs. Always call and ask questions. Logs cannot be from commercial harvest operations, they must be what I consider reclaimed.

What is reclaimed timber?
Wood that is recovered from a tree that is removed for reasons other than its lumber value. In other words, the timber comes from building sites, storm damage, road expansions, yard clearings, homeowners, tree services, and old barn wood.

Planning For Onsite Processing

1. Logs should be lined up next to each other side by side, not end to end. This makes for easier rolling to the mill forks, and will save money and time by not having me move the logs. The logs should be cut to your desired length and the ends should be painted or waxed. This will save 6-12" of checking on each end of the boards after milling.
2. The mill needs fairly level ground next to the logs. The mill requires an operating space of approx. 15' X 30' and must be accessible by pickup truck. Maximum log length is 20'. There is no minimum log length. However, efficiency is lost for logs under 8'. The maximum diameter is 36" and the minimum recommended diameter is 12-14". I have cut logs as small as 4" in diameter.
3. Pick a length suitable for your project, but make sure it's not too long to handle. 20' boards will provide two 10' boards, but 20' boards are three times harder to handle and store.
4. Make a cut list before the day of milling for desired thickness, widths, flat sawn, quarter sawn, or other particular wants.
5. Schedule the saw date with me by phone. Plan ahead where you are going to sticker your boards after I saw them. Flat space under a roof is ideal. Outside is acceptable as long as finished pile is covered from weather but airflow is still good through stickers.
6. One to two helpers on your part is good, but not required.
7. Always call for current rates and scheduling.
8. Download my checklist.

Species commonly found in Southeast Michigan
Red and White Oak, Sugar Maple, Silver Maple, Osage Orange, Weeping Willow, Black Walnut, Honey Locust, Black Locust, Elm, Sycamore, Box Elder, Cherry and sometimes Spruce, Pine or Ash.