Hello all,

Just some more input. The treatment you speak of is the result of the process used to convert logs into timbers. Hand hewn refers to the result of squaring up logs with an ax, and finishing them with a broadax. Rough sawn finish is the result of making timbers on a sawmill.

Planing timbers is generally done with a hand plane, a portable power planer or a large stationary planer. The largest of these can plane all for sides of a timeber to dimension and square in one pass. The timber has already been squared up on a sawmill before it is planed. In all cases it is easier to plane green wood, but as it continues to dry the grain will raise some, depending on species.

For the most part, planing is done to faciltate applying a finish to the timbers. It is more predictable, and requires less oil (or whatever you are using). It should be noted that apllying finish to green would require an understanding of how the finish will react to the drying. Oil finishes are less likely to cause a problem.

Good luck with your research.