We start out with an experienced "feller" all the way up in the walnut tree after he has trimmed all the branches off (children, don't try this at home!) He worked his way down, so as to not damage any power wires or buildings/fences in the "drop zone". The tree at the right also was harvested. 
How its made...turning logs into lumber. Here you find the final product, safely tucked away in the shed with pieces of lath in-between spaced 12" apart for even drying of the "green walnut". They'll sit here for a year to dry proper, hopefully without cracking or splitting, and w/o too much warping!
Once the logs have had their outside bark trimmed off and the edges squared up, slicing into 5/4 thickness proceeds. Notice the big belt drive on the left side...the whole mill runs off the power of a circa 1950's model Case LA tractor. 
Here the foreman, Dan White of Hesston, runs the 5' blade while his helper and son awaits the "drop-off".
Dan looks carefully at each log to determine the best way to feed it thru the blade so as to maximize the size/width/number of pieces that can be cut out of each log...takes years of experience!
The initial product...walnut trees cut down from...say, a in-laws side yard, then hauled to the wood mill sight on a trailer. Each of the 3 logs weighed approx 1500 lbs, and were turned into the lumber at the top. Most all "slices" were about 5/4 thick, but a few were cut 2-1/2" thick for a coffee table or other furniture.
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