I have to remove a 30-year old big leaf maple from my yard prior to starting excavation on an addition. I hate to do it, but I can’t build up per zoning and it is in the only place to expand.
I would like to try to mill the tree if possible. If I can’t get actual lumber for building cabinets, I would at least like to get a few timbers hewn out of the trunk.
Is this nuts? Who would I call about getting it done? I live in Marin County.
Replies
It's not nuts but...
Many foresters don't like to cut into "yard trees".
There are lots of nails, bullets what have you in them.
Also, they tend to have many lower branches, so not
to much clear grain.
Craigs list or a woodmizer ssite that lists owner in your zip code may work.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
Check out http://www.foresryforum.com Lot's of folks with small mills who might be willing to help or steer you towards somebody who can.
Dan
I'm Dan Boyle, and I approve of this message.
Hi Dan, Thanks for the link to that very interesting site, but you left out the T. It's http://www.forestryforum.com
Edited 8/21/2008 4:49 am by Hudson Valley Carpenter
I had a friend call me up a few years back. He had a big leaf maple that had fallen on his shop about a year earlier. He'd bucked it up and stacked it, but now he was moving out of his house and he wanted to know if I wanted the firewood.
I brought a truckload home. Just looking at the rippled bark made me feel a little sick inside.
I split the first log (cut in nice little 14" long rounds...) and shook my head. The quilting figure was instrument grade - tight little quilts about an inch apart in both directions.
I milled a few of them into planks for later veneer work, but most of it was already splitting out, and I can only do so much veneering with short little flitches like that. I always wish I could go back in time and mill that tree into real planks.
For what it's worth, that tree was growing on a relatively steep bank (high compression) and was over 2 feet in diameter.