Oops, sorry left out some vital info. Yes, we are building with round columns so milling is out. The wood is Oregon White Oak. We don't really have the option to "build a pond" and there is very little shade available as we live in a prairie type environment. So, I am using the tarps to make shade. I had left the "sides" open for air circulation at first, but the logs were drying way too fast (judging by the significant checking) so I decided to wall-in with more plastic to try to slow it down some. There is still air circulation (left one side open) but not as much. Also, I am sprinkling occassionally. This seems to be working (slowing it down). I'm not too worried about mildew as I'm thinking that will all come off when I de-bark. Also, I am using a borite (TIMBOR) product which is anti-fungal. Barking seems to rapidly speed up drying so I think it's a good idea to wait on barking. I hear you. Make sure the logs are getting some air. I wish I could get them out of the sun, but... hmmm, maybe I can cover them with pine boughs or something... Screwing on roofing sounds great but I don't have any. We are operating with very limited $$$ resources. I know my methods sounds a little weird, but I am just kind of responding empirically/intuitively to what I see happening in front of my eyes (eg: barking the logs accelerates drying). I'll have to stick with the tarps most likely. Ok, here's my new plan: Perhaps I can Q&D manufacture a "tarp shed" so the tarps are not directly on the top logs. Also provide shade down the sides, but leave air ciculation. And then continue with the sprinkling and not de-bark for a few months (at which time the bark usually falls right off). Spray with Timbor. Thanks for all your thoughts.
