I have an Easter Red Cedar tree I cut down about two months ago. Wondering if anyone knows the ins and outs of seasoning and milling wood. There's a mill nearby my home and I can have them cut it, but should it be cut wet or dried? I'll be using the wood for calls and was wanting to get it squared four sides 2" x 2". Is that enough for shrinkage if I get it milled while it still has a lot of moisture in it?
I always cut mine after it has dried. As far as the drying time, I think I was told 1 inch per month? May be totally wrong and I'm sure other members would know about that.
Air drying is about a year per inch of thickness. I cut mine green (wet) and seal the ends with a product called Anchorseal 2. Plenty of info on the web about air drying as well as other types of drying wood. Air needs to circulate around the wood so do not stack your lumber without stickering it.
Good luck.
Get it quarter sawn in 2 1/8" thick boards about 8' 6" or so long. Width doesn't really matter.