DIY timber? (Ash tree)

I realise that it would have been better to have had it felled in the winter, but I didn't know our treee surgeon neighbour would be leaving the country later this year . . .

Is it a complete no-no to fell in the green for timber? Assuming it's not, what should I do with it to make it into useable timber for looms etc.?
It's a multi stemmed ash with the trunks around a foot or more in diameter. Thanks for reading. Smile

Hairyloon

Re: DIY timber? (Ash tree)

I realise that it would have been better to have had it felled in the winter, but I didn't know our treee surgeon neighbour would be leaving the country later this year . . .

There are others around...

Quote:

Is it a complete no-no to fell in the green for timber?

It'll take longer to season, and heavier to move, but I don't know of any other reasons... I don't claim to be an expert though.

Quote:

Assuming it's not, what should I do with it to make it into useable timber for looms etc.?

Ash cleaves well. You'll want some wedges and a big hammer. Wink

Treacodactyl

Does the timber not discolour if it's felled during summer? That may not be much of a problem but might be worth looking into.

At least ash trees have a lower moisture content than most other trees during the growing season.

arvo

I thought you could fell and use ash whether it was green or not.

"Ash green or ash dry ..." etc?

mochyn

I thought you could fell and use ash whether it was green or not.

"Ash green or ash dry ..." etc?

That's for firewood.

Our neighbour says Ash isn't the best for woodwork though. Can't remember why. Treacodactyl

I thought you could fell and use ash whether it was green or not.

"Ash green or ash dry ..." etc?

That's for firewood.

Our neighbour says Ash isn't the best for woodwork though. Can't remember why.

The old poems etc relate to the fact it has a lower moisture content than most trees when dormant but should be read that if you have to burn green then ash is best BUT it is far better to season it.

As for woodwork, I cut and shaped a length of ash a few years back and it did warp a fair bit, but there must be ways of seasoning it as it is used a fair bit. Woodburner

Re: DIY timber? (Ash tree)

Thanks, Hairyloon. Smile

I realise that it would have been better to have had it felled in the winter, but I didn't know our treee surgeon neighbour would be leaving the country later this year . . .
There are others around...

Yes, but I can actually afford this one. Wink

Quote:

Is it a complete no-no to fell in the green for timber?

It'll take longer to season, and heavier to move, but I don't know of any other reasons... I don't claim to be an expert though.

I've got plenty of space, and I'm not in a hurry, so that's ok. Smile

It doesn't need to be moved very far, just as long as we can move it at all, a couple of yards is far enough, and now I'm wondering how easy/hard/possible/impossible it is to lift one end of a 10ft log! Surprised

Ash cleaves well. You'll want some wedges and a big hammer. Wink

I've got a big mallet, and I can afford a couple of wedges if the tree chap hasn't got any he could lend/sell me.

Got some more questions for you!

Do I split from the end or the side? Or both sides at once?
I'm assuming that a froe is only for relatively small timber?
Once split, how much 'influence' is stacking likely to have on how much it warps or otherwise? Is pallet wood ok for supports and spacers or should I use smaller bits of the same ash? Woodburner

Ahh, warping, thanks Treac, that's the next question! How much will it warp if I leave it 'loose'? Which way is it most prone to warping? Does it twist, or does it bow? Or both?
Do you reckon it would it be better to try and use it's own weight (by careful stacking) to stop it warping, or would that make it more likely to revert to the shape it wanted to be after I start using it? (It's not likely to be anywhere drier than an anglo-saxon house, even when it's finished.) Woodburner

Our neighbour says Ash isn't the best for woodwork though. Can't remember why.

If you could find out why, that would be much appreciated. Smile

colour it green

my impression was a lot of the reason for felling trees in their dormant time was it was better for the tree, or what's left of it.

so hedging is a winter event - the stumps will sprout again, but more likely it will kill the whole thing if you do this in the summer. so if you want it to grow back.. wait.

saying that we deliberately cut down a corkscrew willow, in summer, that was planted up against a wall in an attempt to kill it - not only did it grow back, but the logs grew roots too. but willow is stubborn. Hairyloon

Our neighbour says Ash isn't the best for woodwork though. Can't remember why.

If you could find out why, that would be much appreciated. Smile

Think it depends on what sort of woodwork. It is traditionally used for plenty of things: tool handles, coach-building, etc. Hairyloon

http://greenwood-carving.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/cleaving-big-oak-with-hand-tools.html JohnB

http://greenwood-carving.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/cleaving-big-oak-with-hand-tools.html
If anyone wants to practice, I've got one they can have a go at. The man with the chainsaw mill doesn't seem to be coming!
Maybe apply the Mohammed rule? JohnB

Ash, properly seasoned is excellent for stairs & windows Woodburner

I've managed to find some encouraging videos on youtube but that page is really informative, thanks! Smile

I have access to some bits of dry oak, so that's a nice tip, too! Cool

I'm thinking more along the lines of a pole lathe, shave horse, saw horse, and various primitive looms and sundry weaving equipment, so, as it's not exactly cabinet quality carpentry I need I'm hopeful it'll be suitable.

Would ash be any good for shingles? Ty Gwyn

All shafts for carts and trapps were made from Ash,

Including the wood on the Morris Traveller Hairyloon

Would ash be any good for shingles?
No.
It is not naturally durable.

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