Seeking Advice – 200+Year-Old Red Oak Coming Down in Raleigh

[scmayhew]

Hey all. I'm not a woodworker myself but I thought this might be the right group to ask. Looking for some guidance on what to do with a significant red oak that's coming down on my residential property in Raleigh.

Here's the situation:
- The tree is approximately 200 years old and massive
- A large branch already came down and is on the ground — roughly 21 inches in diameter with substantial length
- The full tree splits into two large trunks about 15 feet up, so there's a lot of wood here
- The full tree removal is being planned in the near term

I've attached photos of the downed branch and the full tree (8' ladder shown for scale).

My questions for the group:
1. Is wood like this useful to hobbyist sawyers or wood turners?
2. Is the downed branch (already on the ground, no climbing needed) worth anything to someone with a portable sawmill?
3. Is there a way to structure the full tree removal so that someone who wants the wood could work a deal with a tree service, or offset some of the removal cost?
4. Who in the NC/Triangle area would you recommend I contact (portable sawmill operators, wood turners, anyone)?

I'd rather see this wood go to someone who can use it (even if only for firewood). Any advice, referrals, or even interest in taking a look would be genuinely appreciated.

Thanks in advance. Happy to answer questions or share more photos.

 

[Echd]

This is a common question asked but in reality the answer is that the tree would not have meaningful value to exchange if it were not something exceptional, and a red oak tree, even an old one, is about as common as it gets.

Additionally, if it is a 'yard tree', or ever was at some point over its lifespan (pastures tend to move over long periods, and often there were houses where now only brick chips may remain... ask my lawnmower every time i mow my back yard), it may be full of spicy surprises such as nails, fence wire, and the like, which are all just raring to damage a bandsaw blade.

An enthusiast turner might want to take sections of the downed log for turning but even then I wouldn't consider it to be valuable. That tree's likely best usage is firewood unless it holds sentimental value and you want it slabbed or processed for your own woodworking, in which case the processing is going to come out of your pocket after the tree is felled (also on your dime). Tree work is, unfortunately, expensive work, and you aren't likely to find anyone willing to defer costs for lumber. Unless you're set up for processing, you're probably going to pay extra just to haul it off to the dump.

Not the answer you want, I know, but 'you can have this lumber if you drop/process this tree' is probably the most common thing tree services and mobile sawmill operators are asked.

 

[scmayhew]

This is a common question asked but in reality the answer is that the tree would not have meaningful value to exchange if it were not something exceptional, and a red oak tree, even an old one, is about as common as it gets.

Additionally, if it is a 'yard tree', or ever was at some point over its lifespan (pastures tend to move over long periods, and often there were houses where now only brick chips may remain... ask my lawnmower every time i mow my back yard), it may be full of spicy surprises such as nails, fence wire, and the like, which are all just raring to damage a bandsaw blade.

An enthusiast turner might want to take sections of the downed log for turning but even then I wouldn't consider it to be valuable. That tree's likely best usage is firewood unless it holds sentimental value and you want it slabbed or processed for your own woodworking, in which case the processing is going to come out of your pocket after the tree is felled (also on your dime). Tree work is, unfortunately, expensive work, and you aren't likely to find anyone willing to defer costs for lumber. Unless you're set up for processing, you're probably going to pay extra just to haul it off to the dump.

Not the answer you want, I know, but 'you can have this lumber if you drop/process this tree' is probably the most common thing tree services and mobile sawmill operators are asked.

Thanks - extremely helpful.

 

[Claus]

In my opinion the highest and best use of this material is the existing tree. You didn’t specify the reason for removal but if it were on my property I would do whatever I could do to preserve it as a living tree.

 

[ChemE75]

My next door neighbor had a giant old oak, it looks like a white oak, taken down before they started construction. Builder said tree was in bad shape and too close to the construction. Although I think it could have been trimmed and saved which is what I did in FL. Anyway, the owner had two main trunk sections saved and rolled to back edge of the lot, the remainder went to the tree contractor who planned to cut it up for firewood. I managed to grab 4 smaller sections I was able to carry. Nothing special. So 2 yrs pass, neighbor has to relocate for family reasons so sells house, buyer wants tree trunks gone. Neighbor planned to cut slabs and cookies himself. I told him good luck, oak is hard on chainsaw teeth. He originally planned to just take his time and poke away at it. Well, now there is no time, had to be gone by end of May. Neighbor found out quickly his chainsaw was woefully too small and just how hard it is to rip through oak. He got lucky and found out a friend of a friend has a big enough chainsaw setup - they worked pretty steady for 3 weeks to get it all trimmed and slabbed - stopping every 30-45 min to resharpen. The main trunk was pretty decent. They found some rotting sections here and there where it had branched out. But got about 18-20 slabs about 8/4 - 10/4. They ran out of time on a smaller section of trunk, loaded everything on a trailer and hauled it to the friends farm. I send neighbor info on sealing ends and drying. They plan to build a shed to store and air dry the slabs. I suggested looking at building a solar kiln.

In this case the cost to bring down the tree was paid by the builder. Whether or not it would have been worth it to pay for the slabbing work is questionable. Plus it requires a place and means to dry it. Eventually value depends on how well the slabs stay flat as they dry and if there’s any interesting grain. I believe it’s white oak so possibly a bit luck will yield some nice looking slabs. Generic red oak is less apt to be interesting.