Freshly milled cherry, should I remove the sap wood and bark?

[Eduardo K]

Folks,
This is probably the fourth log I’ve milled, so I’m lacking in the experience dept. Anyway, I observed the sap wood in these boards appeared to contain many times the amount of moisture as the heartwood. Being that I am really only interested in using the heartwood, would it make sense to cut the sap wood off these boards? Or maybe just remove the bark?
My thinking is this may expedite drying and remove the temptation for bugs.

 

[Guido Salvage]

How do you intend to use the boards? If I am making dimensional lumber I use the pieces that I trim off as stickers.

 

[Eduardo K]

Guido,
Thanks for chiming in. Yeah, I'm going to use it for dimensional lumber. That said, I'm going to rip the live edge off, maybe the sap wood too.
Thats a good thought on making stickers with those off cuts. I use a CSM, so I'll use a chalk line and circ saw to cut a straight edge, and finish the stickers on a table saw.

Thanks!

 

[Wolverine]

I'd top cover it and seal the ends, then let the bark do it's own thing. Really nice lookin' log!!