Sawmill and Timber

Sawmills and Sawing => Bandsaw Mills => Topic started by: xlogger on April 18, 2018, 06:21:25 AM

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Title: red oaks
Post by: xlogger on April 18, 2018, 06:21:25 AM
I know red oaks lumber is on here some, got a question. Is the pin oak boards as good as other red oaks. I was going to get one and quarter saw it.
Title: Re: red oaks
Post by: Tom the Sawyer on April 18, 2018, 11:13:20 PM
In the mean time...  My experience with pin oak is mixed.  The grain patterns can be stunning.  Planted as a landscape tree in my area, to replace the elms lost from DED, they are very fast growing - which means wide growth rings.  It is not unusual to find growth rings greater than 1/2" wide.  That also makes for unreliable drying success.  People will comment about the bacterial odor when milling the lumber but it goes away as it dries. 

They are short-lived, which is why I get so many calls about them, they are maturing out at 60-70 years, at that age they are commonly 36-48" DBH. I have never had someone call asking for pin oak lumber and, if they ask for red oak and I tell them yes, some will clarify that it is actual red oak, not pin oak (a member of the red oak family).  I tell my tree guys that I won't buy pin oak, but somehow I end up with a couple of them each year - they are hard to get rid of but I fortunately I have one custom table maker who likes it because it is so dramatic.
Title: Re: red oaks
Post by: xlogger on April 19, 2018, 05:11:10 AM
Tom, they are having a slab work shop here in NC next month. Long ride for you but was wondering if you were coming?
Title: Re: red oaks
Post by: red oaks lumber on April 19, 2018, 07:00:55 PM
hey xlogger,
personally, the only way to try getting a pin oak big enough and nice enough worthy of qtr sawing would be free, or pulp price. there are way to many unknowns hiding under the bark.
if you do proceed, pic's are a must !!
Title: Re: red oaks
Post by: Tom the Sawyer on April 19, 2018, 08:42:22 PM
Ricky,

Drive 2000 miles over 4 days to attend a one day seminar for $30?  Count me in!!!

Actually, my wife found out last summer that she has a little sister that she didn't know about (my wife was adopted), and her sister lives 31 miles from the seminar location so, yes, we'll be making the trip and I'll be at the seminar. 

I suspect that location couldn't hold more than about 40 people, and that the topic would be of wide interest.  It's too bad that they don't make it a webinar so that many more people could get the information.

Hope to see you there,
Tom
Title: Re: red oaks
Post by: xlogger on April 20, 2018, 04:28:31 AM
It will good to see you again. I sent my money in and plan on being there, but you know at our age plans can change.
Ricky
Title: Re: red oaks
Post by: xlogger on April 20, 2018, 04:32:39 AM
Quote from: red oaks lumber on April 19, 2018, 07:00:55 PM
hey xlogger,
personally, the only way to try getting a pin oak big enough and nice enough worthy of qtr sawing would be free, or pulp price. there are way to many unknowns hiding under the bark.
if you do proceed, pic's are a must !!
thanks ROL, the tree turn out to be a true red oak but the deal fell thru with the tree cutter. I'm going to have to be careful on selecting logs to make sure I don't get a pin oak log in the future. How mainly do you tell the apart? Maybe first thing  is the fast growth rings?
Title: Re: red oaks
Post by: drobertson on April 20, 2018, 07:34:54 AM
you can often tell the differences before the tree is fell.  First indications can be from the leaves, Pin's will have a more thinned out pointy frame, while the typ. red will be more blocky.  they acorns are typ. smaller than the other reds,, and the bark will often times be flater, not so grooved out.
Title: Re: red oaks
Post by: xlogger on April 21, 2018, 05:24:41 AM
yep the leaves are a dead give away. but if I'm looking at a log out of the woods that what I was trying to figure out.
Title: Re: red oaks
Post by: drobertson on April 21, 2018, 07:48:04 PM
I reckon looking at the bark, then flip a coin?, If it's big I say saw it! Who knows may be a gem!
Title: Re: red oaks
Post by: Stevem on April 23, 2018, 09:13:12 PM
Pretty small acorns.  Really jab the feet when you're barefoot!