Salvage Tobacco Barn Poles? To Save or not to Save....

Greetings!

My family and I live on an organic farm we manage in SW Wisconsin. We just finished refurbishing a 100+ year old tobacco barn. At the end of the day, we have many many 15-20' poles that are 4-6" diameter, mostly elm, I think, and some ironwood. Most if not all of the elm? has tiny holes here and there from what may be anobiid beetles. We have been offered the wood if we want it, otherwise it will likely be cut for firewood. Even with the beetle holes it all seems very stout. Since we don't own property, and don't know when/where we will, we are debating keeping/storing the wood. We know it could be excellent for making various animal shelters, an Iron Age era dwelling, a cool SHELTER (book) style shop, etc. Not knowing the potential issues of how older wood of this kind will be in the long run with beetles inside, and having heard there's not much to do about it once they're there, and the potential cost of harvesting new logs, we are weighing all these things and wonder if anyone might have some advice for us?

Thank you all!
Peter.

Hi Peter,

I doubt there is still and active infestation in the the wood.

If you have a place to store it, do so, you will find value in the wood someday, of that I am sure.

If no means or method to really store or repurpose the wood now, sell it...something is better than nothing.

I am not opposed to burning firewood, or even scrape wood, this does not sound like either.

Good Luck,

jay

old growth timber should be saved if at all possible!