Question
I have cut several red maples that are heavily figured and show indication of Ambrosia beetle (purple stars in log ends). One tree milled confirms this fine coloring. I intend to air dry in shed/open barn.
Would it help to layer in some red cedar in stacked lumber to keep insect, like powderpost beetles, away? I have some nice red cedar (aromatic) that could be milled at the same time as the maple.
If I slab these and others that I intend to cut leaving the raw edge, should I remove the bark? I plan to cut in this manner due to extreme burl type growth on sides of trees that look like warts the size of softballs to soccer balls.
Any idea how long it will take to dry if I cut to 10/4 assuming 1500 bdft in stack? I'm in VA and it's now summer.
Forum Responses
From Professor Gene Wengert, forum technical advisor:
The log stain you describe is likely blue stain (fungal) and not from an insect.
The cedar will not repel insects at all. That is a wives' tale.
The bark can harbor insects and does slow drying, so most of the time it would be removed.
It is hard to predict time, but in a good drying situation, I suspect that you will be well air dried in three summer months or maybe four if there is a lot of rain. Use a roof, 3/4" stickers, etc. In any case, follow good air drying practices as written in books like Air Drying of Lumber.
