Spied these two logs in the weeds at the job i looked at this morning. Recognized it as "highly valuable" black walnut. I asked the guy what he was doing with it as i would cut and at least take for firewood for free. "thats back walnut and worth money" was his reply. Took some self restaint not to burst out laughing. So i asked what he wanted for it? "I'm not sure" was his reply. Judging by the amount of junk and piles of stuff around his place he'd wanted top dollar for them. All kidding aside, what are they really worth if anything? Having never milled any im tempted. Rare scrounge for me. The small log is 9' long. Hey buzz-saw any interest? Calling JB Sawman
They do look like they’d make nice mill logs. Sounds like the guy would want a grand a piece for them as they are, buried in weeds
Says they were cut down a year ago. I didnt actually touch them to see of bark was loose. Being nice and straight and a rare score for me im kinda tempted to make a lowball (whatever amount that is) offer. He had hydro sitting right next to them, uncovered and all rusty. His "yard" was a disaster. As soon as i pulled in and saw the place i didnt want to work for him. Luckily the work was kinda beyond my ability so i refused.
Probably, although BL heartwood is very rot resistant. Kinda the reason i wanna mill some. Make an adirondack chair or some type of outdoor furniture with it along the other woods weve milled...BL, sassafras, mulberry. Ive dealt with hoard mentality before. Worked for a guy who did flea markets and his house and barn were packed to the hilt with stuff. Spotted some cobalt blue glass and i asked if i could buy a piece as my wife at the time collected it. "that brings big bucks" was his reply and i never got it. Top dollar mentality.
For firewood, it is not worth much but some like it. For giving people a good warm feeling that they have something worth lots of money, well, that's okay. I think it's much like some people going to a casino or buying lottery tickets. It's possible they could be rich...
I’ll mill it for you if you want. Bring it on. In and out , same day service. Anything for you buddy.
Will do. Thanks buddy! Wondering what the guy really wants? Chances a better than good i wont get it. Gonna call him tomorrow.
I doubt you'll want to pay the price he seems to believe it's worth.. But it does look like good saw logs. The bark is definitely loosening on those. I had a 10' trunk section milled after the electric company dropped one here. Beautiful boards that I'd like to eventually use to reface our kitchen cabinets.
Approximately 100 bd ft there...being generous. Ideal circumstances....$100? (I don't have up to date price info) That's approximately what it'd been worth if I delivered it to my local mill in January.
I have a little bit of knowledge on this as my main business is in custom woodworking. We work closely with a mill in northern PA that specializes in Black Walnut. The end result that most customers see is the $10-15 per bd ft range that it's being sold for. The mill I worked with bought Walnut already milled and in board form, and then they kiln dried their own. I think he was paying in the $5 range per bd ft for these already cut. In log form, I'd pay $1-2 per bd ft. A lot of work ahead and to air dry, it's 1 year per inch of board thickness. Additionally, that white sap ring in general is worth nothing. I'd say you'll be lucky to yield 65% (compared to whole log dimensions) lumber from the look of the log.
I have a funny feeling that that log will rot there , best case it will become firewood. This guy thinks he is going to retire off that log , I just don't see that happening.
the longer log has rot starting even without rot that is not a veneer log the short log is firewood I would offer to take them away for $100 (cash)