It seemed that every time I googled a woodworking topic, I ended up here so I decided to join up. I'm just starting to try out woodworking as a new hobby, as I was kinda thrust into it. You see, my wife and I are building a house, and I had to take down several mature White Oak trees during the process. Instead of cutting it all into firewood, I had a couple logs milled. I would like to use some of the lumber to add some box-beams to the house. Here's where my question comes in:
I have read up a good amount about the importance of properly drying wet lumber. I have also read that a lot of timber framing is done with green lumber, and allowed to dry in place. My wood is still green, having been milled last spring (most of it 5/4). I'm thinking of making 6" 3-sided beams. Am I asking for trouble making these before the lumber is dry? I plan on leaving the lumber rough-sawn, just knocking down the roughness a touch with some sanding. I'm going for a rustic look, and the beams will be from 9-16 feet overhead. Is this reasonable, or would I be much better off drying completely before assembling the beams? I'm new but thick-skinned, so feel free to send me back to the drawing board!