Dave, informative link, thanks. I don't think the priest has anything specific in mind as yet for the log. He said that he wanted me to put it out front on blocks so he could show it off for awhile, and he was going to be contacting a sawmill to learn what their size requirements are for length. The curve in the log will no doubt be a factor. I'd suggest furniture, a big table could be done, but really not much of a good wood for it. No doubt it would have found a use had the temple not been rebuilt yet. Anyway, he can play around with some ideas, he likes to do that kind of thing.
i hadn't heard before of the infestation targeting fresh cut logs. We have large tracts of that species of Pine here, I believe the only one being affected, though I have heard of Oaks being infested by some beetle problem that is spreading. They are knocking themselves out trying to find a use for the wood from the downed trees, so much of it is showing up, and more and more will continue to do so. Traditionally it has been used in construction, but to a much rarer degree than other species. The trees get those curves in the log, which have played an important role as roof rafters, often exposed. Lots of pitch, the large trees were cut and the root balls dug up and drained to help fuel the ships and planes during the war. It's an ongoing joke with me and some guys I often work with, I kid them about trying to defeat us with fuel from trees. We still get a laugh from it, though they did enough damage with that means for sure. A friend has a contract to remove them, which I have helped out at a time or two. The trees are cut, stacked into one meter lengths, brush piled on top, pesticide poured on, then covered with degradable plastic sheeting that has the edges buries under soil. On steep ground which is often the case, not the most enjoyable of jobs. I question the validity of fumigating trees that have often been dead standing a long time before being cut, but that is currently the approach. Some stoves have been designed to specifically burn the pitch laden wood, and current research to use it as fuel in boilers at schools and such, is ongoing. The wood will be very abundant for years to come. i have seen it used via some process where it gets turned into flooring. It looks ok. The infestation moved in here to my area around five years ago, and continues to spread throughout the country. It has become a real problem, except for the people doing the removals. The borer appears to attack the weaker trees, as can be noted at the entrance there where the other Pines don't have the characteristic holes in the bark. That might explain the attraction to downed wood as well. You can see whole hillsides of trees where only a couple have been affected so far. Other places, whole areas have been wiped out.
Daniel, thanks for the input. I believe that as you say, trying to get the log falling as far away from the stone as possible there, seems like a real good idea. That in combination with trying to securely anchor it, is what seems most reliable to me if it comes down to falling it instead of craning it out. Working on a plan.....
