Log Cabin Construction

If you call tree trimmers around your area, you may be able to find a source for cheaper logs. Most tree trimmers sell the trees they take down as firewood. Making money on a tree without that extra labor is good business for them. Try to make friends with some tree trimmers and get them interested in your log cabin construction project!

Cutting Your Own Logs

When checking out a potential tree, walk up to it and look straight up from all sides. Does it curve? If not then mark it as a usable tree. You can carry a notepad around in the woods, making notes as you go. I numbered my trees, marking enough to fill the number I needed. I think it was 30. After all trees were marked, I went back on a nice calm day and began cutting.

It took my dad and me several hours to cut down all the trees. Out of thirty trees we had four hang up in other trees and two or three split. The hang ups were in an area where the trees are very dense. After a week and a storm, they fell. The other splits were my fault. My saw was not big or fast enough. I lost some nice straight logs that day. I had some trees that were infested with carpenter ants. Needless to say I was not a happy camper. You may want to pick three or four extra trees for these type situations.

Once you have all your trees on the ground you have to take inventory of your log cabin construction project. Now is the time of truth where you see how straight and long these logs really are. Go through with a 50’ tape measure and a hatchet for marking. I built my cabin 17’ x 22’. I needed logs at least 22’6” and 17’6”. The extra 6” was added for grace and could be trimmed as needed. I found it was a mistake to cut my logs right at the desired length.

Now carefully plan out where each log will be used in the log cabin contruction. Keep your four biggest diameter and length logs for sills and top plates. These four logs should be straight and solid. Remember to cut the top plate logs at least two feet longer than the other logs for the front and back. These are longer to support your gable end support logs.

The number of doors and windows will determine how many full length logs are needed. I put a door in front and in back. I put two windows in front and one on the side. My cabin is single story with a loft so total number of full length logs at 22’6” was six. Actually two of them were cut at 25’ because they were top plates.

Often you may be able to get two logs from one tree. If you need a 20’ log and the straight area of the tree is 30’, you now have one of your long logs and a smaller log for near a window. Just as the rest of log cabin construction, log choice is common sense.

Moving the logs is a fun experience. Sometimes it is hard to get to the log if the woods are thick. Also you may have to dig under the log end to get the chain around it. Once the log end is in a position to back the tractor draw bar up over it, then lower the bar to rest on the log. Wrap the chain around the log and then to a hook on the drawbar. Once this chain is secure, lift the hydraulics and get the log end 6” off the ground.

Keep the log off the ground as much as possible. It cuts back on resistance from the dragging and doesn’t tear up the ground as much. The less dirt that gets in the bark, the better off your saw teeth will be.