How to Cut Cedar Lumber

Lumberjacks can help you by cutting down the trees and slicing them into logs for you.

Cedar is a beautiful softwood, appearing frequently in decorative items, not just because of its appearance, but also because it needs basically no maintenance. Even if you're not looking to line one of your closets with cedar to protect clothes, learning to turn cedar trees into lumber that you can use for projects is an important skill for woodcutters to learn.

Things You'll Need

• Chainsaw
• Portable wood mill
• Boiled linseed oil or paraffin
• Wood separators

Instructions

1. Find cedar logs with stumps are at least 18 inches across and that lack holes or soft, darker spots that are symptoms of rot. Major branches should start on the upper half of the log. If you're planning on thinning out a large section of cedar, choose the tallest and oldest trees.

2. Use your saw to sever the tree as close to the ground as possible, and use your initial cuts to make the tree fall in a flat area that doesn't have other trees for yours to become entangled with. Once the tree is down, cut it into lengths appropriate to your portable mill. This length will vary by mill manufacturer, so follow the instructions regarding length. Make your cuts at knots, crotches or crooks and throw any sections with decay back into the woods for compost.

3. Use the mill to make a squaring cut on your log. Rotate the log 90 degrees and reinsert it into the mill carriage, repeating until all four sides of the log have the cut. Then, decide on the thickness of your boards and place the mill on the correct setting. Repeat this step for each log until you have all the lumber you need.

4. Use boiled linseed oil or paraffin to cover the ends of the boards. Then, set the boards in stacks with wood separators in between so that the wood can dry. Once the planks have reached a moisture level of six percent, you can cut the planks to fit your project. Moisture meters are available for rent or purchase at most home improvement retailers.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan to sell your cedar lumber, it can be helpful to set up a market before you head to the woods. That way, you won't end up with a back lot full of logs or boards that you can't get rid of.

References

• Lumber Out West: Properties and Uses of Cedar
• Michigan State University Extension; Cutting and Selling Timber from your Farm Woodlot; Dean Solomon; July 1988