Lumber Mill

The Lumber Mill is a fundamental wood processing building that converts raw Logs into Planks, one of the most widely used crafting materials in Timberborn. Available to both factions from the start of the game with no Science Point cost, this 3x2 powered structure employs 1 worker and requires 50 horsepower to operate. Built for just 15 Logs, it processes 1 Log into 1 Plank every 1.3 hours, with internal storage holding 13 Logs and 13 Planks. The Lumber Mill is typically the very first powered building you construct, as Planks are needed for Gear Workshops, Foresters, and dozens of other essential structures throughout the game.

Planks serve as the gateway material for nearly every production chain in the game. They feed directly into the Gear Workshop (where 1 Plank becomes 1 Gear over 3 hours at 120 horsepower) and the Wood Workshop (where 1 Plank plus 1 Pine Resin becomes 1 Treated Plank at 250 horsepower). Planks are also used as construction materials for Bakeries, Gristmills, Paper Mills, Smelters, and many other buildings. The 1:1 Log-to-Plank conversion ratio is straightforward, making production planning simple. A single Lumber Mill running continuously at full efficiency processes roughly 12 Planks per in-game day, which is usually sufficient for early-game needs but will need supplementing as your colony grows.

The Iron Teeth faction has access to the faster Industrial Lumber Mill as an upgrade, but the standard Lumber Mill remains the workhorse for Folktails throughout the game. Position your Lumber Mill near a Lumberjack Flag and a warehouse to ensure a steady flow of Logs in and Planks out. Connect it to your power grid via Water Wheels, Windmills, or Power Wheels. As your settlement expands, you will likely need 2 to 4 Lumber Mills running simultaneously to keep up with demand from the Gear Workshop, Wood Workshop, and construction projects. Prioritize Lumber Mill placement early, as even a brief gap in Plank production can cascade into delays across your entire building program.