A discussion document put out late last year indicated some changes are afoot for our NZ building code to explicitly include certain "alternative species" as viable structural timber. Fastigata is included, provided it is treated. Appearance doesn't matter so much for structural framing, so the sap pockets won't be too much of a visual issue, but I wonder how it stacks up in terms of stress grading with those pockets in it. Still, it would be a welcome increase in the value of the wood if it can legally be used for lumber without requiring producer statements. As you know, those big brown barrels hold a fair whack of lumber in 'em.
I'm contemplating breaking a long-standing rule of mine of no debt-financed equipment purchases. I'd like a mill now, before I can afford to pay 100% cash for one. Might have to borrow a wee bit of $ to get the mill I want and can then get stuck into all the logs I've got scattered all over the top of the North Island. In just one small gulley I have to clear there'd be 40+m3 of lumber in the Fastigata alone. Most of the trees are .8m-1.4m DBH.
Not to mention a bunch of downed gums nearby I am not 100% sure what they are but some are screaming "slab me".
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