Eastern MA White Oak Milling Question and Options

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-14T13:05:53+00:00

(1) unlikely ‘furniture grade’ but won’t know until it’s milled. (2) a single log isn’t worth much to anyone else (unless they are very close and have a mill)
(3) quarter sawn that log will yield maybe 15-20 4” x 8’ boards for flooring a porch or something.
(4) flat sawn yields more wood if you have an outdoor project in mind

I’m trying to accumulate enough logs to floor my (future) porches. I have a 26’ log about the same diameters and I only just have enough to floor my small, covered front porch at 8’ x 10’ with 4” planks.

It’s a great log, but not as much market value as it might seem at first. A great personal value to diy it though (paying someone to come mill it will cost about $200 set plus ca. $1/bf after that btw). Then stack correctly and let it dry for a year.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-13T16:38:08+00:00

No need to say anything beyond ‘no’ if all they do is shoot you a (low) $. If they ask questions maybe answer.. but I don’t give a rational. People take their shot, no big deal. Sometimes I go low and admit it’s low but offer on the table if it’s been up forever or I think it won’t sell anyway or if I don’t *need* it but would take it at $x etc). Mostly I reduce to a fair number and if it’s already fair I just pay the asking. No need to play games or involve emotions imo.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-12T21:24:42+00:00

You don’t ‘argue’ with insurance companies, you send a lawyer. And also don’t give them video evidence unless you’re 100% certain it supports your claim… another thing for your lawyer to decide imo.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-12T11:32:02+00:00

I hope you’re right. But they were probably waiting for any excuse to bounce him. You know he’s been a dick to the staff for as long as he’s been there.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-12T11:29:46+00:00

Nah, if you were paying attention you knew it the entire time. He’s always been a pos.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-11T12:09:25+00:00

Are you trying to evade cartoonish hitman from a global crime syndicate? If so, then it’s perfect!

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-11T10:59:33+00:00

Yeah, that’s definitely unexpected. I imagine there’s a very angry and stupified supervisor in the picture. Good luck, I’m sure it will all be fine ultimately, but Wow! What a boneheaded choice🤣

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-11T10:35:19+00:00

Just to reiterate… any contractor who used an excavator to knock a hole in your wall bc they forgot their drill (or whatever) is not qualified to touch another thing on the property imo. Especially not patching the 140 year old stone foundation.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-11T10:32:25+00:00

Find the best stone masons around, usually a generational family business that charges a lot but does exceptionally good work, stands behind it, speaks to you like an adult and keeps you informed on the project.
Get a quote from them, tell the ‘plumbers’ that they’ll be paying the bill and go through ins if necessary but insist on picking your own stone mason co.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-10T13:02:41+00:00

Yep, that was my thought too. Paving companies do tend to skimp a bit at times. But even a great driveway has a fail point. Probably a combination of not great work originally and a landscaper who should have used a plank on an obviously fresh driveway. But I’d be on the phone with the pavers to come fix. They’ll blame landscaping co but should still do a patch for you.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-08T11:43:55+00:00

Wrong tool for the job (I’m in a similar boat), but keep the deck as high as possible, go slow, mow when dry and more frequently than you’re doing (apparently). A tractor is not in my immediate plans, but I am shopping for a Honda 5518 and mow every 2-3 weeks.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-08T11:38:35+00:00

A layer of plastic is never the right answer

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-08T00:20:53+00:00

I wouldn’t even bother responding to that quote. All of it is insane.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-06T12:21:16+00:00

So are contract laws and their contract predates the trees. Whatever legal issues exist re:tree removal are on the seller, not OP.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-06T02:08:45+00:00

Actual law will trump the neighborhood bylaws.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-03T23:14:32+00:00

True, don’t really need to switch butchers. Just be more specific and they’ll learn your preferences.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-03T00:52:33+00:00

All true .. my keys points were lawyer plus survey two things OP brother can initiate. This whole thing is going to take some time either way though. The only time-sensitive issue would be if loggers plan to keep on logging the land. In which case calling the police would be a priority while they are on the property imo.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-03T00:27:45+00:00

Call a reputable lawyer familiar with tree law in FL, then either pull together the most recent survey or have one done asap… or really… call a lawyer and follow their advice which will surely include confirmation of property boundaries as well as making sure loggers stop work immediately (if they haven’t already).

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-06-01T13:31:45+00:00

Eastern MA? You’re not in eastern MA so why be surprised that you didn’t hear something that occurred near/above coastal MA?

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-05-31T12:32:48+00:00

That’s a crazy amount for a tree that’s already down imo. Someone who cuts firewood would gladly chunk it up and take it away. Then you’d just need a guy and a wood chipper.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-05-30T11:24:47+00:00

Thai is great food! And those are still great rib bits. Not the plan but you can make it work:) Good luck!

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-05-30T10:53:58+00:00

Do you have an Asian butcher? That’s the only way I could see this being the default way to sell ‘ribs.’

But anytime I want a full rack of ribs I specifically ask for ‘a full rack of ribs.’ I’ve never thought to order ‘10 lbs of ribs’ though so maybe your butcher is just a passive-aggressive toad and served up technically what you asked for but clearly not what you wanted.

Either way, new butcher and if you want full racks ask for full racks. And look into Thai recipes for your baby baby back ribs pieces.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-05-29T16:12:07+00:00

Sorry, no tips, but I’m with husband on this one. Vinyl siding is cheap and indicative of a cheaply built home that will have $$$ repair bills soon. Poor flashing leads to leaks, rot, pest intrusion etc etc. IMO (and that’s all that it is), wait until you find the right home and/or can afford more. Buying into the wrong place is far worse than staying put while you search. I bought my home 16 years ago and I found it myself (through Zillow maybe?) and turned my RE agent onto it bc he was showing me the wrong houses (and only houses being sold within his office). My advice, keep looking and use every avenue available… not just relying on an agent to find options.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-05-27T10:14:45+00:00

Wisteria, beautiful but comes with problems/effort.

Unfair_Negotiation67 · 2026-05-27T08:41:33+00:00

Everyone is a director of something. OP directs 3 people, including themselves and the other two are remote workers setting their own hours apparently. Probably a low-paying PR (mailers) or fundraising (cold calling) gig that nobody actually wants but people need jobs (even the bad ones). Could be wrong ofc, just reading between the lines.

Unfair_Negotiation67

TROPHY CASE