Had a tree cut down

[RDavidP]

Yesterday, I had a tree, maple I think, cut down because all but the trunk was pretty much dead. It was about 50 years old. The tree was also only feet from my house. I saved a few pieces from the trunk of the tree. I am thinking maybe taking a wedge and split out a few manageable sized blocks. My bandsaw has 6 inch recut capacity. Maybe some spindle turning blanks or a bowl blank for a small bowl. Though for bowl turning I hear that the blank needs to be green for initial turning, and then dried for the final finish. I am no where near ready on a lathe to start bowl turning. Do you guys have any ideas of ways I can cut the wood down to manageable pieces or what to make out of the wood? Also should I coat the wood with anything, or can it wait a week or so until I can get around to making manageable pieces, and then coat the wood for the drying of those pieces. I have never dealt with raw, green lumber.

This piece is about 8-10" thick.


These are 12" or more thick.


This piece is from near the base of the trunk and was cut in half. I took half.


This is about 6-8" thick. Side view of base piece.

[LCHIEN]

I'm not a doer on this, but as i understand it the moisture escapes from the end grain much quicker than through the sides. THis is more important for logs destined as planks apparently, the uneven drying causes checks and splits in the ends.

For logs, the recommended practice is to coat the ends with paint or wax to slow the exit of moisture to the same rate as the length of the log.

For bowl turning the advice to turn it partway down while still green sill reduce the paths for uneven drying by thinning out the entire piece, I would imagine.

[chopnhack]

Chainsaw or you can have a sawyer come out and mill them for you. I believe they recommend anchorseal for the ends to prevent the rapid loss of water content. Those are some nice pieces, enjoy!!

[conwaygolfer]

Years ago I cut down an enormous Elm tree. I saved the stump cut (over 6 ft. at base) and applied the stuff that Hechingers used to sell. It was like an acrylic clear coat. I thought it would make a neat coffee table. After applying to one side only I left it to dry. Big mistake only sealing one side. Several days later I checked on it and it looked like it was bent over the bucket I had it sitting on. The sides were all turned down terribly. What a waste of $70.00 for the acrylic I used.
So lesson learned: SEAL BOTH SIDES.

Hope this helps to answer your question,
Conwaygolfer