Lumber, Lumber, Everywhere

   Three perpetually growing piles of 8" wide 1/2" thick softwood (predominately white pine) destined to become clapboard siding. The chainsaw imparts an almost pit sawn look to the lumber that works well to the overall design of the house. Those pallets in the forground will need additional supports before the pile can grow much higher.
   The piles have been covered in the winter by tarps to protect them from constant contact with snow and ice. They are left open in summer to allow them to grey up and keep them as dry as possible (the combination of close fitting tarps, sun and ground water can turn a pile of pine into a compost heap).
   The ideal is a proper roof spaced above the piles to allow air circulation and some form of sun shade for lumber you want to keep from greying. These piles aren't level on the long axis but are on the other and the top surfaces of pallets that form the base are all in the same plane. It's important the piles are vertical, it keeps the pressure on the lumber balanced and makes the piles safe to be around. The lumber is spaced by alternate layers of thin cross strips of wood called stickers, this allows the air to flow though the pile to help ensure even drying of the lumber and evaporation of any accumulated rain water. The stickers on these piles are ripped on the mill with the siding; taken from the side of over wide boards and from boards with excessive wane.
Hardwoods
linked pictures of hardwoods in garage

   Almost all of the hardwoods I've milled are stored in my Dad's barn. The barn has three garage bays, two standard roll up door type bays and an extra tall swinging double door bay that once housed my Grandfather's horse trailer. This third bay now houses a stack of black cherry and a long mixed stack that is predominately hickory but includes some of the longest maple and a few select softwood planks to fill gaps in rows.



Hardwood proliferation in the hay loft.






(home)