The Biggest Stud

This is a cross section of a black birch log that John and Paul cut last Friday afternoon from the woods out back. It's a perfect candidate for the load bearing column we need in the main section of the house. The photographer was unavailable to document the actual felling, but, by all reports, it was as unconventional as it was challenging. The birch had to first be cut about nine feet in the air, and then cut again at ground level (which was frozen and snowy), to retain its character. The fact that it was growing over an unforseen rock also challenged the chainsaw. And then all nine plus feet of trunk had to be hauled about 100 feet to the house and then hoisted a few feet more to the first floor. This was accomplished by two sturdy Michiganders, a sled, and some rope.



John then proceeded to remove the aromatic bark with his draw knife. Black birch bark is used to make "Birch Beer". To me it smelled like wintergreen and the "kids paste" we had in grammer school.




Along with the bark, the cambium layer was removed to expose the light wood underneath.




It took a few hours and lots of muscle to finish the surface.




Another challenge was making the "butt" end perfectly square and flat. John discovered that the hand planer was an appropriate tool for this...



along with his level. Plane some... check it with the level... plane some more, and eventually it was flat and square.




Now it just needs to be vertical. John spent some time putting it in place...




And it fit! The temporary supports can now be removed.


The weekend's project is complete.