ohia posts

[bananahead]

they dont shrink much lengthwise (no shrinkage noticed in 10 years now on over 100 logs in my cabin's construction).... they do crack lengthwise though (horizontal logs located in the sun but not wet). I have railing all the way around my cabin made of Ohia, and they are only treated with Thompsons WS, also the main 2 posts of my roof and main upright posts inside home are large 1' to telephone pole width Ohia, I was quoted by a neighbour that these post alone would be $500 ea., but not sure on if true (12' lengths 1'- 1.75' wide) I also have alot of them under the house Im keeping for later construction projects.. all mine are just striped of the bark... its a strong hard wood that will break bits, screws, bend nails, very hard, but does split lengthwise with thin splits (mostly superficial, none seem to compromise the wood)
aloha
ps the large carved 'Ku' idols you see at Place of Refuge etc are made of Ohia, and you will notice they often have splits as well, but are always in the elements too...

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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha