I'm planning to build a smallish shed (15' x 21') framed with hemlock timbers (mostly 6"x6") on 3' centers. I will mortise and tenon the timbers by hand.

The local mill will furnish the rough-sawn hemlock to me green, still dripping. My question is: is it better to cut and fit the hemlock timbers while they are still green and wet? Or is it better to sticker the timbers up, cover them, and let them air-dry for four to six months, and then cut and fit the timbers after drying?

Thanks for your advice/guidance.

A lot of timber frames are cut green. The drier the wood the harder it gets. If time permits start as soon as you can. Good Luck, Jim

I concur with Jim. I waited to start the joinery for 6 weeks from the time the sawyer cut the logs. This was his recommendation. He claimed that most of the twist and bow that was going to occur would happen during that time. I don't know if that is true or not as there was very little change in the beams (mostly 8x8s)even after 14 months. I also was using hemlock and I started the cutting in December. I haven't worked that much with other species, but with hemlock, the wetter it is, the easier it is to cut, especially when cross-grain paring. Good luck, jekbear