Balsam fir (Construction)

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I have about 8 acres of balsam fir trees that need to come down. Most of these trees are between 20 and 30 feet tall with a diameter of 8+ inches. The log cabin article in CS this issue got me thinking about the relative usefullness of these trees for building a small cabin or small barn. I'd much rather use them than chip 'em. However, after the cutting and milling will I end up with something useable? Any ideas? Any practicle examples? How sticky will they be (pitch)?

Thanks

-- Ken in Maine (Kenjan@pivot.net), February 14, 2002

Answers

Response to Balsam fir

Why not sell off the top 10 or 12 feet as Christmas trees? We have several that are a bit too large, but the tops we still use for that purpose. Let us know what you finally do! We're also in Maine, way down to the west of Portland, in Buxton. GL!, friend.

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), February 14, 2002.

1) I'd go with Christmas trees first ten feet of the tops; 2) sell the trunks for turpentine mfg. 3) If you wanted to build with fir consider that they and poplar are wispy and only really good for fir-ing strips. They contain far too much pitch to be seriously used for framing.

-- al (yr2012@hotmail.com), February 14, 2002.

KEN.....BALSAM FIR ISN`T ALL THAT DURABLE SO I WOULD TREAT IT WITH A BORATE SOLUTION.THEN A SEALER TO PREVENT IT FROM LEACHING OUT.BORATES ARE LESS TOXIC THAN TABLE SALT.YOU HAVE TO APPLY IT TO GREEN LOGS FOR IT TO PROPERLY BE ABSORBED.IT DOESN`T DRAW INTO DRY WOOD. [IT PRESERVES THE WOOD,KILLS INSECTS,ADDS FIRE PROTECTION TO THE WOOD, KILLS OFF MOLDS AND FUNGI. LOG BUILDERS GENERALLY TREAT THEIR WOOD EVERY FEW YEARS THERE AFTER.NOW FIRS ARE NOTED FOR CHECKING.REMEMBER THAT BALSAM FIR`S SAPWOOD MOISTURE CONTENT IS ABOUT 173%.TO GET THAT DOWN TO A BUILDING LEVEL YOU WILL HAVE SHRINKAGE.TO SLOW CURE THE LOGS I WOULD ADD A BREATHABLE END GRAIN SEAL TO SLOW DOWN THE CHECKING.DON`T LEAVE THE LOGS IN THE SUN.STACK THEM OFF THE GROUND AND KEEP THEM DRY. YOUR 8" DIAMETER IS SMALL BUT IF YOU ARE BUILDING A SMALL CABIN OR BARN THEN THAT WOULD BE OK.READ ABOUT LEFT SPIRAL GRAIN IN LOG BUILDING BOOKS.SO YOU DON`T HAVE LOGS TWISTING AND POPPING OUT OF YOUR WALL.

CORDWOODGUY

-- CORDWOODGUY (cordwoodguy@juno.com), February 15, 2002.


Ken balsam fur is used in making 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, or larger it also makes very nice paneling. I work in the woods and cutt alot of it

-- bob vadnais (robertvadnais@aol.com), February 17, 2002.

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