: This question may be beyound the scope of this bulletin board, but it
: pertains to building kayaks and canoes, so I thought I'd post it here. My
: family owns land in the corner of northeast Iowa that is covered mostly
: with a hardwood forest. Hard Maple is the mainstay of the land, but Ash
: and Walnut also grow in plenty there. I want to go up and drop an Ash and
: a Maple to build paddles out of and for gunwales for my next canoe. I'm
: searching for info on anyone that has done this and an advice on what
: tools I'll need, etc... I'm good with a chainsaw, but never have I milled
: any wood. I'd like to keep it simple as posible. Thank you for your
: advice.

I have a friend who runs a tree service. He will cut down trees and mill it into
boards on his bandsaw mill, and provide me with boards at no cost, if he can have
enough boards for him to sell also.

You might find a local tree service that would do the same.

All the best,
Rob Macks
Laughing Loon CC&K
www.laughingloon.com