How to Cut Your Own Trees to Build Your Own House

Trees can be used as logs or processed into lumber.

Cutting your own trees for building materials, if you already own the land on which the trees are growing, is a great way to save money when building a house. However, the processes of logging and of making the trees into usable building materials are time consuming and require a fair amount of skill and hard labor. Also, unless the trees happen to be growing where you are building your house, transportation can be a major issue.

Things You'll Need

• Chainsaw
• Chainsaw safety gear
• Spud
• Axe
• Portable sawmill
• Sheet metal
• Kiln

Instructions

Cut the Trees Safely

1. Get training in the safe and responsible use of a chainsaw. Always wear ear and eye protection, a helmet, gloves, and leg protection when using a chainsaw.

2. Select straight trees in a practical location for transportation. Cut selectively in order to inflict minimum damage on the tree stand and surrounding habitat.

3. Cut a notch in the base of the tree perpendicular to the direction in which you want the tree to fall. Always have a clear and rapid exit route away from the tree in case of emergency. If you need to get away from the tree, run in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which it is falling, and DO NOT run with a chainsaw in your hand.

Use the Trees as Logs

1. Cut the trees in the summer to make removal of bark easier. The best tool for removing bark is called a spud. You can also do it with an axe but it will be more difficult and take longer.

2. Cut the logs well in advance of when you will need them. Put them on top of smaller logs to avoid rotting, and leave them for a year. As they dry, logs will lose a huge percentage of their weight and be far easier to move when the time comes.

3. Leave the logs in as long lengths as possible until you know exactly what you will need them for. A 20 foot log can be used in more diverse ways than two 10 foot logs.

Process the Trees into Lumber

1. Hire a person with a portable bandsaw sawmill, or buy one yourself. If this will be your only experience milling lumber, it is probably better to hire someone, as portable mills are expensive, and a person with experience will cut better lumber than you will.

2. Stack the lumber with stickers between the planks for air circulation, and cover the top of the pile with sheet metal or other material. Leave the sides of the pile open so the wood can dry.

3. Kiln-dry the lumber if it is going to be used for furniture or fine woodworking. For house framing, air drying is fine. A rule of thumb is to leave the wood for a year for every inch of thickness of the planks.

References

• Bob Vila: How to Fell a Tree
• Wood Web: Processing Trees to Lumber
• Outlands: Build a Handsome, Sturdy, and Affordable Log Cabin