osage logs

adam · January 25, 2009, 10:21:00 AM

Hey guys,
I have some family in ohio that cut some osage logs for me this past week and sealed the ends. I'm supposed to be getting them this upcoming weekend. I'm going to be using these logs for lams. So my question is, should i let these logs season like they are or go ahead and take them to the mill and get them squared up and let them season?? Is there anything i need to spray them with to keep worms out of the wood?? Thanks

Adam

Pat B · January 25, 2009, 10:46:00 AM

As hole logs with sealed ends, they will take many years to season. You might want to have then sawn thick and stack and sticker them so they cure properly and safely.

Diamondback59 · January 25, 2009, 12:15:00 PM

i do a lot of my lam log s like pat says but i debark the log befor i take it in and then seal each of the boards ends with a wax/anchorseal mix so they dont check too much then i stack the borads 1 row put a 2 x4 for a spacer in and start another row just keep stackin them up one row up another with good air flow out of the weather let em season brock

Holm-Made · January 25, 2009, 12:22:00 PM

Takes about one year to air dry for every one inch thick the boards are. Might want to cut some one inch stuff.

Pat B · January 25, 2009, 12:59:00 PM

Chad, I believe it is 1" per year but on a 2" board 1" in from each side is 2" total so a year should be enough. That said, the longer you "cure" the wood the better. Even though at the thickness of a board it will dry in a year or so, it will continue to "cure" over many years. The longer the wood is cured the more stable and resilient it will be.IMO Pat

Diamondback59 · January 25, 2009, 01:14:00 PM

pat s correct there sometime s i even take a board if i relley need one put it in my 24 in hot box to help thing s along with a small fan in there to circilate the air but not till they have been air drying at leat 6 - 8 months brock

Roy Steele · January 29, 2009, 04:26:00 AM

If you bear the time,Put them the shade and split them up in two years.Spliting better won't get as many staves.But these will follow the grain.
If you have to split them heres what I do.Cut them long 75,80" Is good.Get a couple saw horsas.Put the ends up on the saw horses.Take a cinder block tie it off the ground in the middle let it hang.D

Roy Steele · January 29, 2009, 04:34:00 AM

Sorry,Do this as soon as you split them out.Keep them in the shade.Some staves this will help better than others.The one's with a little deflex it wiii help the best.
Don't exspect your staves to look like U's but it will help some.
ROY