In 1974 I built a 18' x 36' deck with untreated, freshly cut red and white oak. Bought it directly from the saw mill.
The deck is still standing today.
HOWEVER, fresh cut oak shrinks terribly. I placed the 2x8 planks tightly against each other and I still had 1/4 inch gaps. Also, any piece that was not securely nailed or screwed to something twisted and bowed terribly. We put a 2 x 8 top rail on the top and where we made a 45 degree cut in each plank to form a corner the shrinkage between the two pieces was so great that we had to take off the entire rail cap and replace it with western cedar.
It also gets harder and harder to work with each day, especially if the weather is hot and dry. This is because the moisture leaves it rapidly.
On day one nails were easy to drive, on day 17, when we finished we had to drill holes in order to drive the nails.
You may not be talking about green lumber, but if you are beware.
Bing
