I am formulating a plan and I hope those of you with experience can help me out.

As it happens, theres a 40 acre walnut orchard in my family. It's probably been 20 years since any of the trees have been productive and nobody has looked after them for longer than that. The trees were probably planted in the 50's so they are pushing 50 years old. Many of the trees have died, but many more live on in one fashion or another. They are all english walnut trees grafted to black walnut rootstock which I understand means there could be burl in there.

What are the chances of these trees bearing useful wood and/or burl?

I was thinking that if I could find a tree with a trunk less than 24" in diameter I should be able to mill it myself with a band saw that has a 12" resaw height. If the log is cut lengthwise into quarters can I quarter saw the log into boards? Would it make more sense to hire a portable mill to come out?

I have no real feel for how much a quarter of an eight foot by 24 inch log would weigh. I also don't know how I would get it cut into quarters in the first place. I don't think it would be worth it to buy a giant chainsaw to make this cut. Would a big bow saw work?

Also, how do you cut the log up to get the burl? I understand that the burl occurs at the graft so that would be a cross cut, correct?

Any advice is appreciated,

Matt