Hello Matt,
I'm sorry you got that advise...As Jim has stated, it is not at all a game changer or a reason not to harvest your own logs. We have many timbers at different stages of development, and some for a large project we have have age ranges from fresh off the stump to rested in shade for over a year. Some of that project even has jointed timbers for the large Anchor Beams that are already done...
Needless To Stay, you don't have to worry about different ages, just be aware of them...
Here in Virginia we have lots of humidity!
That is only a concern if the logs/bolts are not taken care of properly...
This summer we can acquire 60 pine logs at no charge delivered, store them over winter and mill them next spring.
Is that too long? How do we prevent Blue Stain?
No, that's not to long...
Water storage like in an old mill pond is the ideal method of long term storage of logs, but is not a must...
They will need to be debark or beetle infestation will occur...
However, I would offer that this also is not a game changer and prodometly aesthetic in nature. As soon as the log/bolts are milled and processed they begin to alter in humidity state often killing or driving the larva stage of Coleoptera infessting them to be stressed of die. "Wormy Pine" is a sought after commodity for paneling, and only after logs have been grossly neglected for a long time (years) does structural damage occur...
Blue stain too is cosmetic for the most part and seldom causes structural compromise. Many (myself and most of my clients) find it more pleasing than the plan pine alone...Google "Blue Stained Pine" and see how you feel?
Regards,
j
