I get most of my lumber from tress when I'm cutting firewood. When I get a nice clean large birch I save a few logs over 10" for the saw mill. It keeps me in project lumber and I don't have to pay the exceedingly high local prices for hardwoods. We do have some hardwood suppliers locally and they are fair on their prices but it cost them considerably to get hardwood to Alaska. I don't fault them for the prices they have to charge and it's nice to have a source for hardwoods. It's also nice to be able to go out to my stash and pull out a few pieces for a project when I need to. Birch, cottonwood and spruce are about all we have locally. I miss the northeast where I grew up and it's amazing selection of hardwoods. I used to take those giant oaks, maples, walnut and beeches for granted. From a woodworking standpoint I was in woodworker's heaven back there. I do like the color of Alaskan birch and the way it works. Thanks again guys for all the encouragement.
Mart
