Thirty years ago, we planted five thousand white pines in central Virginia. They weren't thinned well. I want to cut a hundred or more trees for a large 2 story timber frame house I want to build in central Tennessee next year. I have access to a portable 21 foot sawmill and will cut the trees into timber next week. The trees I'll cut are about 14-18 inch diameter at eye level and 60 feet tall.
1. Any advice on how to treat the ends would be appreciated. How can I mix a wax or brine solution? How often should I recoat the ends?
2. I will cut them into 21 foot 10x10, 8x8 and 6x6 timbers and stack them appropriately. I plan to build a shed roof to store them under while they dry for a year. Do you recommend a concrete slab or can I store them on concrete blocks without a lot of warping and twisting?
3. Any other advice about working with white pine or on how best to cut the trees into timbers?
4. Any other advice about planning how to store the timbers?
Thank you very much.