Drying tree for timber

[Kingstepper]

Cut down a eucalyptus tree and fancy getting a few small planks out of it to make some items (small boxes maybe). What's best way to dry it - cut the trunk (diameter ~30cm) into planks first or leave to dry as is?

[unclealec]

Cut down a eucalyptus tree and fancy getting a few small planks out of it to make some items (small boxes maybe). What's best way to dry it - cut the trunk (diameter ~30cm) into planks first or leave to dry as is?

The rule of thumb is to leave in suitable conditions for 1 year per inch of plank thickness, so plank it, Dano.