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Hickory: Growing in Popularity

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 17:00:40 +0000

At Lumber Capital Log Yard, we love an open-fire grill with hickory cook wood, due to the fabulous flavor this wood imparts. However, you are probably reading this due to an interest in hickory for woodworking purposes. It is some of the hardest and strongest U.S. native species. Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) and shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa), ranking 1,810 lbf and 1,880 lbf, respectively, on the Janka hardness scale, are popular choices for the backyard griller and the serious woodworker alike. Because of its strength, hickory is well suited for tool handles, baseball bats and board lumber. It’s also modestly priced, compared with other hardwoods, and it’s relatively easy to machine with carbide bits and blades.

Hickory features mixed light and dark hues and finishes beautifully.

Although the trees can reach heights of 130 ft with a girth of 1 to 2 ft, hickory harvested in our area won’t grow over 85 ft due to our steep and harsh growing conditions.

Lumber Capitol Log Yard is a family-owned lumber milling and forest product business in Pennsylvania. They mill a variety of hardwood and softwood lumber and operate a zero-waste company.

A plainsawn hickory board can be full of character, as the contrast between light sapwood and dark heartwood has a striking rustic appearance. It’s currently a popular look in both flooring and cabinetry. No two trees are alike, and we enjoy discovering the treasures uncovered each time we pull a hickory board off the mill.

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VIDEO: Milling Eastern White Pine

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 17:41:15 +0000

Pine lumber has been the backbone of the lumber industry for as long as there has been a lumber business. Our gang at Lumber Capital Log Yard mill some white pine for our education.

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Hemlock: A Construction Lumber Mainstay

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 15:00:49 +0000

At Lumber Capital Log Yard, we specialize in rough-cut hemlock lumber. Hemlock has been used for building throughout the eastern U.S. and Canada for centuries. Our area is abundant with 100-year-old barns made with hand-hewn hemlock timber frames and hemlock lap siding. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), also known as Canadian hemlock, has a relatively low Janka hardness of 500 lbf (poundforce) when dry. Mature trees are between 65 to 100 ft tall and 2 to 3 ft in diameter.

Hemlock often grows on north-facing slopes where it experiences harsh winter conditions. When the growing area is also overly wet, the logs can get a defect called shake. Shake is when the growth rings begin separating, which causes the lumber to have linear cracking. It’s one of the most frustrating circumstances about milling hemlock.

The rough-cut, full-dimension hemlock lumber we provide is a fantastic choice for exterior board-and-batten siding, decks and porches, as it can be used green. The building techniques employed by contractors account for minimal shrinkage on such projects. For indoor applications, hemlock will dry fairly quickly with minimal warping when it’s stickered outdoors in dry weather.

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VIDEO: Milling a Hickory Log

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 14:00:58 +0000

In this video, Emerald and her family mill hickory lumber while discussing its characteristics. Learn some interesting facts about this beautiful and versatile wood.

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VIDEO: Introduction to Hemlock Lumber

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 14:31:04 +0000

Emerald from Lumber Capital Log Yard discusses one of their most popular woods that is often under-appreciated: Hemlock. She’ll discuss some of the uses Hemlock can have in your projects and we’ll take a look at the milling process.

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Black Cherry: American Treasure

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 19:57:01 +0000

At Lumber Capital Log Yard in Cogan Station, Pennsylvania, we are fortunate to be located near forests containing some of the most impressive black cherry trees imaginable. Special care must be taken when harvesting this mature growth, as the surrounding young trees can be damaged easily. One method is to top the tree prior to felling, which will minimize residual damage as well as prevent cracks in the sawn logs.

Of the various species we regularly mill, black cherry is a standout. Often referred to as American cherry, Prunus serotina grows to a height of 50 to 100 ft with a diameter of 3 to 5 ft. Its relatively straight grain coupled with a medium Janka hardness rating of 950 lbf (pounds-force) means cherry is easy on our mill blades. We also appreciate its mild, pleasant smell. Cherry sawdust has the potential to be irritating or even toxic for horses, therefore we keep it separated from our animal bedding.

Cherry Room Divider

Our cherry logs are between 8 and 10 ft in length with a 28″ maximum diameter. At our zero-waste log yard, the outer bark slabs that are sawed off initially will end up as smoke wood for grilling or home heating firewood. For cabinetry or flooring, 5/4 flitches are removed as needed to square up the heartwood, proceeding with 5/4 boards having minimal sapwood. However, our favorite way is to mill live-edge slabs. These rough-cut 6/4 and 8/4 pieces can be quite remarkable with wide sapwood around curvy live edges. It is easy to envision these beauties becoming artistic tables and other specialty items.

Lumber Capital Log Yard is a family-run sawmill business owned by Ken and Teri Breon. Teri (center in photo) and daughters Emerald and Jade are partners in the milling business selling lumber and lumber byproducts. Their goal is to produce zero waste. Ken runs the logging company and assists at the log yard. Their son Judah, Grandpa Larry and Roxy, the shepherd mix, all play a part, too. Visit their website and their YouTube channel.

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VIDEO: Milling a Cherry Tree

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 14:30:19 +0000

Emerald from Lumber Capital Log Yard demonstrates the process of cutting cherry lumber from log to boards and discusses one of the typical challenges in this process. You can check out more about their lumber service at their website.

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