#Building a log cabin from pine how to#

This process can take a minimum of six months, the longer you can leave them for, the better! Choosing the Cabin LocationĬhoosing where to locate your log cabin is one of the most important aspects of the build. If the logs will be left outside, make sure they are covered. You can use small pieces of wood between each layer to allow plenty of circulation space. To store the logs, make sure they are raised off the ground, and that there is good airflow between each of the logs. You can then cut the trees to size and store them. To do this, you’ll first need to debark them using a drawknife. Logs need to be thoroughly dried before you can build with them, to prevent any cracking, warping, or checking. If the tree doesn’t naturally start to fall, you can drive a wedge into the third cut. You can then make the last cut on the opposite side of the tree, just above the first one. You’ll then need to make a second cut just above the first, at a 45-degree cut downwards to meet the initial cut. To cut the tree, make a small cut (around 2 inches) into the base of the tree on the side that you want your tree to fall. Once you’ve selected the tree which you intend to cut, you’ll need to make sure there is a clear path for it to fall into. Other equipment you’ll need includes a chainsaw, an ax, and a wedge. Felling the Logs SafelyĪlways make sure you’re wearing protective equipment including a helmet, safety glasses, leg protection, and steel toe cap boots. This will reduce the chances of the logs splitting because they have a longer time to dry out over the winter and spring.

#Building a log cabin from pine how to#

How to Fell and Store the LogsĬut logs during early winter when sap levels will be at their lowest. The average pine tree grows to between 50 and 100 feet, so you should get around two logs per tree. It takes roughly 70 logs to build a 20×20 log cabin but remember this doesn’t mean you need 70 trees. You should also avoid dead standing trees. The maximum difference in girth between the base and the tip of the log should be around 2 inches.Īvoid any trees which have any obvious damage to them or trees which aren’t straight. They should be an even width all the way through. Choose trees that taper as little as possible. Then, add an extra four to eight feet.įor example, if your cabin is going to be 20×20 feet, you’ll need to find trees a minimum of 24 feet tall.įor the width of the tree, you’ll need logs that are a minimum of ten inches in girth. Try to find trees that are long enough to be used as one side of your cabin. The height of the trees will depend on how large you want your cabin to be. When you choose which trees to use, you’ll need to make sure that they are: Trees that are grown at a higher altitude have denser wood which is better for building with. The most common trees used to build log cabin kits throughout the US are Pine, Cedar, Cypress, Spruce, and Fir.

But if you’re in the fortunate position of being able to source logs from somewhere else, you can choose the best species for the build. If you own your own piece of land, you might be limited to the type of species that you can choose. The first step towards building a cabin from scratch is to select and prepare the logs ready to use. How to Make a Buttercream Birch Tree Cake Selecting the Logs