KE

Konstabel Els

26/06/2009 1:21 PM

cutting down / cutting up trees

when is the best time to do this

a) for cutting trees down
b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire


This topic has 42 replies

LM

"Lee Michaels"

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

29/06/2009 2:49 AM


"Konstabel Els" wrote

but
a) it's not eco friendly
b) a splitter costs a lot more money than an axe
c) I don't any exercise
==================
I always remember that old chestnut,
"Wood warms you twice.
Once when you cut it and again when you burn it."




KE

Konstabel Els

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

27/06/2009 12:15 PM

On Jun 26, 10:29=A0pm, Morris Dovey <[email protected]> wrote:
> Konstabel Els wrote:
> > when is the best time to do this
>
> > a) for cutting trees down
> > b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire
>
> Assuming you want the wood for fireplace or stove, two years before you
> need to burn them.
>
> --
> Morris Dovey
> DeSoto Solar
> DeSoto, Iowa USAhttp://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

what about splitting the logs, should I leave it 2 years or split them
straight away ?

LZ

Luigi Zanasi

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

05/07/2009 1:35 AM

On Jul 4, 8:24=A0pm, "Doug Brown" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "jo4hn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> C'mon Jo4hn, there are at least three or four more trees in Saskatchewan =
- I
> know 'cause I've seen 'em myself!

Lots of trees north of Saskatchewan in the NWT. They're pretty small,
but they are trees.

MD

Morris Dovey

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

26/06/2009 3:29 PM

Konstabel Els wrote:
> when is the best time to do this
>
> a) for cutting trees down
> b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire

Assuming you want the wood for fireplace or stove, two years before you
need to burn them.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

MD

Morris Dovey

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

26/06/2009 5:36 PM

spaco wrote:

> Around here, they say that the white ash is one of the few trees that
> burns well when green.

Elm burns like the graveyard mould,
Even the very flames are cold!
Apple wood will scent your room,
With incense-like perfume.
Oak and maple, if dry and old,
Keep away the winter's cold.
But ash wood wet or ash wood dry,
A king will warm his slippers by.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

MD

Morris Dovey

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

27/06/2009 1:53 PM

Swingman wrote:
> Morris Dovey wrote:
>> spaco wrote:
>>
>>> Around here, they say that the white ash is one of the few trees that
>>> burns well when green.
>>
>> Elm burns like the graveyard mould,
>> Even the very flames are cold!
>> Apple wood will scent your room,
>> With incense-like perfume.
>> Oak and maple, if dry and old,
>> Keep away the winter's cold.
>> But ash wood wet or ash wood dry,
>> A king will warm his slippers by.
>
> Beechwood fires are bright and clear
> If the logs are kept a year.
> Chestnut’s only good, they say,
> If for long ’tis laid away.
>
> Hard to beat olde English poetry for going right to the hea(r)t of the
> matter. :)

Yessir - and thank you for the lines I hadn't heard before!

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

MD

Morris Dovey

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

28/06/2009 5:46 PM

Tanus wrote:
> Konstabel Els wrote:
> <snip>
>>
>> I guess it depends on the wood type, soft woods being ready sooner.
>> What I am trying to understand is, as I'm splitting manually, will I
>> use more energy to split the wood when wet, or should I wait for the
>> wood to dry out a bit, since the wood will start splitting itself
>> after a couple of months.
>
> It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you live
> in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze.

... and easier still if you do it with a powered hydraulic splitter. :)

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

MD

Morris Dovey

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

28/06/2009 9:51 PM

Tanus wrote:
> Morris Dovey wrote:

>> .... and easier still if you do it with a powered hydraulic splitter. :)
>
> And easiest yet if you have a neighbour with a splitter and way too much
> time on his hands. Sadly, I have neither.

I'd split about 30 cords (about half elm) before I bought a splitter. If
you have any quantity to split, it might be worth locating one to rent
- they do save a /lot/ of work.

Heh. I had a couple of neighbors (not exactly with time on their hands,
they /made/ time to come over) help me cut up about a dozen trees that'd
been knocked flat in a storm. One of 'em brought a home-built frame that
had a 30" circular blade (with no guard, of course) that was pulley
driven from his WD45 PTO.

I think I was in my late 30's and both of these guys were in their early
70's. I'd already limbed the down trees, and one of these gents would
drag a branch over to the saw, and the two of us at the saw would swing
the branch into the blade - brannnnggg! I'd toss the cutoff up onto the
growing pile and reach to catch the cut end of the branch coming at me
to do it again. By suppertime the pile looked like a small mountain and
I was sure I'd set a new record for fatigue - but the old guys were
still looking pretty spry when they headed for home.

I've always thought it was a minor miracle that I still had both hands
at the end of the day.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

MD

Morris Dovey

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

04/07/2009 3:46 PM

krw wrote:
> On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:55:44 -0400, Bill <[email protected]>
> wrote:

>> It's what we southerners get for free and you northerners pay for.
>> It's called a sauna.
>
> More generally, it's called "free heat".

Hey! I represent that...

...northerners can have "free heat" if/when they want it. :)

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

LV

Luitenant Verkramp

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

30/06/2009 11:22 AM

On Jun 30, 7:13=A0pm, whit3rd <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Jun 28, 3:00=A0pm, Tanus <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
> > It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you liv=
e
> > =A0 in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freez=
e.
>
> I'm told that alder (local hardwood in Seattle) splits best when
> green. =A0 I haven't tried it both ways, but local tradition on
> the issue is strong...

indeed...local tradition vs logic ;-)

Bc

Bill

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

05/07/2009 9:48 AM

On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:39:36 -0500, krw <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:55:44 -0400, Bill <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 2 Jul 2009 22:02:04 -0600, "Doug Brown"
>><[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>"Keith Nuttle" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>> My father used to say any time the knife was sharp. ie. saw, ax, etc.
>>>>
>>>> I personally like to cut them when it is not so hot and humid. Meaning
>>>> early spring or late fall, depending on where you live
>>>
>>>I live in the middle of the Canadian prairies. What is this "hot" and
>>>"humid" that you speak of?
>>>
>>It's what we southerners get for free and you northerners pay for.
>>It's called a sauna.
>
>More generally, it's called "free heat"

Yeah, but with free heat you don't get all that wonderful moisture. I
think you call it "humidity".

ww

whit3rd

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

30/06/2009 10:13 AM

On Jun 28, 3:00=A0pm, Tanus <[email protected]> wrote:

>
> It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you live
> =A0 in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze.

I'm told that alder (local hardwood in Seattle) splits best when
green. I haven't tried it both ways, but local tradition on
the issue is strong...

EP

"Ed Pawlowski"

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

26/06/2009 10:33 PM


"Konstabel Els" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:b763c034-eace-4e2a-809f-7a06f4ea36d6@j20g2000vbp.googlegroups.com...
> when is the best time to do this
>
> a) for cutting trees down
> b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire
>

Right after the storm knocks them down. If you have a choice, I prefer
after the leaves fall. Weather is cooler, less leaves to fuss with. As for
spitting, I prefer to wait a while and let it dry a bit. Best, IMO, is when
the logs are frozen and they "pop" with a couple of hits of a heavy maul.

DB

"Doug Brown"

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

04/07/2009 9:24 PM

"jo4hn" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>> I was a northerner all my life (IL, NY, VT, OH), then decided to get
>> the "free heat" last year. We moved to Alabama. ;-)
> After being raised in South Dakota (the only windbreak between us and the
> north pole was one tree in Minot ND), the family moved to Californee. I
> took an oath never to touch snow again. Then after more years than I can
> think about, I retired and moved into the nearby mountains. Twelve feet
> of snow last winter. [dope slap]
>
> There are a few problems with living in Paradise.
>
> mahalo,
> jo4hn

C'mon Jo4hn, there are at least three or four more trees in Saskatchewan - I
know 'cause I've seen 'em myself!

HH

Hammer Hands

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

27/06/2009 5:59 PM

Nice verse Morris!!

Morris Dovey <[email protected]> wrote in news:4a454def$0$87067$815e3792
@news.qwest.net:

> spaco wrote:
>
>> Around here, they say that the white ash is one of the few trees that
>> burns well when green.
>
> Elm burns like the graveyard mould,
> Even the very flames are cold!
> Apple wood will scent your room,
> With incense-like perfume.
> Oak and maple, if dry and old,
> Keep away the winter's cold.
> But ash wood wet or ash wood dry,
> A king will warm his slippers by.
>

KE

Konstabel Els

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

28/06/2009 11:36 PM

On Jun 29, 12:46=A0am, Morris Dovey <[email protected]> wrote:
> Tanus wrote:
> > Konstabel Els wrote:
> > <snip>
>
> >> I guess it depends on the wood type, soft woods being ready sooner.
> >> What I am trying to understand is, as I'm splitting manually, will I
> >> use more energy to split the wood when wet, or should I wait for the
> >> wood to dry out a bit, since the wood will start splitting itself
> >> after a couple of months.
>
> > It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you liv=
e
> > =A0in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze=
.
>
> ... and easier still if you do it with a powered hydraulic splitter. :)
>
> --
> Morris Dovey
> DeSoto Solar
> DeSoto, Iowa USAhttp://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

but
a) it's not eco friendly
b) a splitter costs a lot more money than an axe
c) I don't any exercise

kk

krw

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

04/07/2009 7:55 PM

On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:29:08 -0700, jo4hn <[email protected]>
wrote:

>krw wrote:
>> On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:46:40 -0500, Morris Dovey <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> krw wrote:
>>>> On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:55:44 -0400, Bill <[email protected]>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>> It's what we southerners get for free and you northerners pay for.
>>>>> It's called a sauna.
>>>> More generally, it's called "free heat".
>>> Hey! I represent that...
>>>
>>> ...northerners can have "free heat" if/when they want it. :)
>>
>> I was a northerner all my life (IL, NY, VT, OH), then decided to get
>> the "free heat" last year. We moved to Alabama. ;-)
>After being raised in South Dakota (the only windbreak between us and
>the north pole was one tree in Minot ND), the family moved to
>Californee. I took an oath never to touch snow again. Then after more
>years than I can think about, I retired and moved into the nearby
>mountains. Twelve feet of snow last winter. [dope slap]

Indeed. We had about 5" of snow here in Eastern Alabama last winter.
SWMBO (said she) wasn't happy about it. It was a perfect snowfall
though. Snow only stuck to green things.

>There are a few problems with living in Paradise.

Well, sometimes there is too much "free heat" here. It's been a while
since I've been able to play with my toys.

jj

jo4hn

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

03/07/2009 10:18 AM

Doug Brown wrote:
> "Keith Nuttle" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> My father used to say any time the knife was sharp. ie. saw, ax, etc.
>>
>> I personally like to cut them when it is not so hot and humid. Meaning
>> early spring or late fall, depending on where you live
>
> I live in the middle of the Canadian prairies. What is this "hot" and
> "humid" that you speak of?
>
>
Think back to last Summer, which I believe is August 14 in your part of
the prairie. It was about 95dF and 95% relative humidity. That was
the"hot" and "humid" that some of these southern US types speak of? As
I recall, a front came through the next day and it snowed. Oh well...
mahalo, eh?
jo4hn

MH

"Martin H. Eastburn"

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

30/06/2009 9:41 PM

We cut green and split green in Northern Ca.
When you can use the hydrologic pressure of the wood itself
it helps.

A lot of wood compresses and shrinks making it harder.

Martin

Luitenant Verkramp wrote:
> On Jun 30, 7:13 pm, whit3rd <[email protected]> wrote:
>> On Jun 28, 3:00 pm, Tanus <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>> It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you live
>>> in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze.
>> I'm told that alder (local hardwood in Seattle) splits best when
>> green. I haven't tried it both ways, but local tradition on
>> the issue is strong...
>
> indeed...local tradition vs logic ;-)

MH

"Martin H. Eastburn"

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

27/06/2009 10:13 PM

If the tree is cut in winter - e.g. sap down in the roots - the turn around
time is much shorter. I've burnt wood the same winter - a month or less seasoning.

Martin

Konstabel Els wrote:
> On Jun 26, 10:29 pm, Morris Dovey <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Konstabel Els wrote:
>>> when is the best time to do this
>>> a) for cutting trees down
>>> b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire
>> Assuming you want the wood for fireplace or stove, two years before you
>> need to burn them.
>>
>> --
>> Morris Dovey
>> DeSoto Solar
>> DeSoto, Iowa USAhttp://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/
>
> what about splitting the logs, should I leave it 2 years or split them
> straight away ?

KE

Konstabel Els

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

28/06/2009 11:35 AM

On Jun 27, 10:07=A0pm, Tanus <[email protected]> wrote:
> Konstabel Els wrote:
> > On Jun 26, 10:29 pm, Morris Dovey <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> Konstabel Els wrote:
> >>> when is the best time to do this
> >>> a) for cutting trees down
> >>> b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire
> >> Assuming you want the wood for fireplace or stove, two years before yo=
u
> >> need to burn them.
>
> >> --
> >> Morris Dovey
> >> DeSoto Solar
> >> DeSoto, Iowa USAhttp://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/
>
> > what about splitting the logs, should I leave it 2 years or split them
> > straight away ?
>
> Around here, where there are cottage industries for firewood, wood is
> cut down in mid to late winter, snow is on the ground, but temps are a
> bit reasonable.
>
> The people I know who are in the business split as soon as they've cut
> to length. So from the time the tree is standing til it's split and
> piled could be a matter of days, or even the same day if they're really
> hauling.
>
> Although two years seems to be conventional knowledge for letting wood
> air after it's been stacked, I've had success with same year wood. ie,
> the wood is cut and split in March and it's in my woodstove in November.
> I also have some two and three year old wood. While it does burn a bit
> better, it's not something I notice that much.
>
> YMMV
>
> Tanus

I guess it depends on the wood type, soft woods being ready sooner.
What I am trying to understand is, as I'm splitting manually, will I
use more energy to split the wood when wet, or should I wait for the
wood to dry out a bit, since the wood will start splitting itself
after a couple of months.

kk

krw

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

05/07/2009 12:09 PM

On Sun, 05 Jul 2009 09:48:09 -0400, Bill <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:39:36 -0500, krw <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:55:44 -0400, Bill <[email protected]>
>>wrote:
>>
>>>On Thu, 2 Jul 2009 22:02:04 -0600, "Doug Brown"
>>><[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>>"Keith Nuttle" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>>>news:[email protected]...
>>>>> My father used to say any time the knife was sharp. ie. saw, ax, etc.
>>>>>
>>>>> I personally like to cut them when it is not so hot and humid. Meaning
>>>>> early spring or late fall, depending on where you live
>>>>
>>>>I live in the middle of the Canadian prairies. What is this "hot" and
>>>>"humid" that you speak of?
>>>>
>>>It's what we southerners get for free and you northerners pay for.
>>>It's called a sauna.
>>
>>More generally, it's called "free heat"
>
>Yeah, but with free heat you don't get all that wonderful moisture. I
>think you call it "humidity".

When I lived in VT, we didn't get any of that free moisture to go with
the *expensive* heat, either. Everything wood (back on-topic ;) fell
apart, along with my skin.

KE

Konstabel Els

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

30/06/2009 12:59 AM

On Jun 30, 3:17=A0am, "Martin H. Eastburn" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> The axe can cost far much more than the splitter - once the
> doctors finish with you!
> Martin - I do both - but know my limitations!
>

er...you must be a tad older than myself ;-)

kk

krw

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

04/07/2009 3:39 PM

On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:55:44 -0400, Bill <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On Thu, 2 Jul 2009 22:02:04 -0600, "Doug Brown"
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>"Keith Nuttle" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>>> My father used to say any time the knife was sharp. ie. saw, ax, etc.
>>>
>>> I personally like to cut them when it is not so hot and humid. Meaning
>>> early spring or late fall, depending on where you live
>>
>>I live in the middle of the Canadian prairies. What is this "hot" and
>>"humid" that you speak of?
>>
>It's what we southerners get for free and you northerners pay for.
>It's called a sauna.

More generally, it's called "free heat".

MH

"Martin H. Eastburn"

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

29/06/2009 8:17 PM

The axe can cost far much more than the splitter - once the
doctors finish with you!
Martin - I do both - but know my limitations!

Konstabel Els wrote:
> On Jun 29, 12:46 am, Morris Dovey <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Tanus wrote:
>>> Konstabel Els wrote:
>>> <snip>
>>>> I guess it depends on the wood type, soft woods being ready sooner.
>>>> What I am trying to understand is, as I'm splitting manually, will I
>>>> use more energy to split the wood when wet, or should I wait for the
>>>> wood to dry out a bit, since the wood will start splitting itself
>>>> after a couple of months.
>>> It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you live
>>> in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze.
>> ... and easier still if you do it with a powered hydraulic splitter. :)
>>
>> --
>> Morris Dovey
>> DeSoto Solar
>> DeSoto, Iowa USAhttp://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/
>
> but
> a) it's not eco friendly
> b) a splitter costs a lot more money than an axe
> c) I don't any exercise

c

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

29/06/2009 12:47 AM

On Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:00:06 -0400, Tanus <[email protected]> wrote:

>Konstabel Els wrote:
><snip>
>>
>> I guess it depends on the wood type, soft woods being ready sooner.
>> What I am trying to understand is, as I'm splitting manually, will I
>> use more energy to split the wood when wet, or should I wait for the
>> wood to dry out a bit, since the wood will start splitting itself
>> after a couple of months.
>
>It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you live
> in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze.
>
>Tanus
Splitting rock elm at -10F - the wood heats twice that way!!
But it splits cleanly and easily, compared to splitting it unfrozen.

KN

Keith Nuttle

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

26/06/2009 4:49 PM

Morris Dovey wrote:
> Konstabel Els wrote:
>> when is the best time to do this
>>
>> a) for cutting trees down
>> b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire
>
> Assuming you want the wood for fireplace or stove, two years before you
> need to burn them.
>
My father used to say any time the knife was sharp. ie. saw, ax, etc.

I personally like to cut them when it is not so hot and humid. Meaning
early spring or late fall, depending on where you live

TT

Tanus

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

27/06/2009 4:07 PM

Konstabel Els wrote:
> On Jun 26, 10:29 pm, Morris Dovey <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Konstabel Els wrote:
>>> when is the best time to do this
>>> a) for cutting trees down
>>> b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire
>> Assuming you want the wood for fireplace or stove, two years before you
>> need to burn them.
>>
>> --
>> Morris Dovey
>> DeSoto Solar
>> DeSoto, Iowa USAhttp://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/
>
> what about splitting the logs, should I leave it 2 years or split them
> straight away ?

Around here, where there are cottage industries for firewood, wood is
cut down in mid to late winter, snow is on the ground, but temps are a
bit reasonable.

The people I know who are in the business split as soon as they've cut
to length. So from the time the tree is standing til it's split and
piled could be a matter of days, or even the same day if they're really
hauling.

Although two years seems to be conventional knowledge for letting wood
air after it's been stacked, I've had success with same year wood. ie,
the wood is cut and split in March and it's in my woodstove in November.
I also have some two and three year old wood. While it does burn a bit
better, it's not something I notice that much.

YMMV

Tanus

TT

Tanus

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

28/06/2009 6:00 PM

Konstabel Els wrote:
<snip>
>
> I guess it depends on the wood type, soft woods being ready sooner.
> What I am trying to understand is, as I'm splitting manually, will I
> use more energy to split the wood when wet, or should I wait for the
> wood to dry out a bit, since the wood will start splitting itself
> after a couple of months.

It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you live
in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze.

Tanus

TT

Tanus

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

28/06/2009 9:22 PM

Morris Dovey wrote:
> Tanus wrote:
>> Konstabel Els wrote:
>> <snip>
>>>
>>> I guess it depends on the wood type, soft woods being ready sooner.
>>> What I am trying to understand is, as I'm splitting manually, will I
>>> use more energy to split the wood when wet, or should I wait for the
>>> wood to dry out a bit, since the wood will start splitting itself
>>> after a couple of months.
>>
>> It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you
>> live in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good
>> freeze.
>
> .... and easier still if you do it with a powered hydraulic splitter. :)
>

And easiest yet if you have a neighbour with a splitter and way too much
time on his hands. Sadly, I have neither.

Tanus

TT

Tanus

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

29/06/2009 9:44 PM

Morris Dovey wrote:
> Tanus wrote:
>> Morris Dovey wrote:
>
>>> .... and easier still if you do it with a powered hydraulic splitter. :)
>>
>> And easiest yet if you have a neighbour with a splitter and way too
>> much time on his hands. Sadly, I have neither.
>
> I'd split about 30 cords (about half elm) before I bought a splitter. If
> you have any quantity to split, it might be worth locating one to rent
> - they do save a /lot/ of work.
>
> Heh. I had a couple of neighbors (not exactly with time on their hands,
> they /made/ time to come over) help me cut up about a dozen trees that'd
> been knocked flat in a storm. One of 'em brought a home-built frame that
> had a 30" circular blade (with no guard, of course) that was pulley
> driven from his WD45 PTO.
>
> I think I was in my late 30's and both of these guys were in their early
> 70's. I'd already limbed the down trees, and one of these gents would
> drag a branch over to the saw, and the two of us at the saw would swing
> the branch into the blade - brannnnggg! I'd toss the cutoff up onto the
> growing pile and reach to catch the cut end of the branch coming at me
> to do it again. By suppertime the pile looked like a small mountain and
> I was sure I'd set a new record for fatigue - but the old guys were
> still looking pretty spry when they headed for home.
>
> I've always thought it was a minor miracle that I still had both hands
> at the end of the day.
>

Reminds me of my daily count when I come out of the shop. If I can count
to 21, it's been a good day. One day I counted 20. Not a good day.

Tanus

dn

dpb

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

03/07/2009 12:23 PM

jo4hn wrote:
> Doug Brown wrote:
>> "Keith Nuttle" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> My father used to say any time the knife was sharp. ie. saw, ax, etc.
>>>
>>> I personally like to cut them when it is not so hot and humid.
>>> Meaning early spring or late fall, depending on where you live
>>
>> I live in the middle of the Canadian prairies. What is this "hot" and
>> "humid" that you speak of?
>>
> Think back to last Summer, which I believe is August 14 in your part of
> the prairie. It was about 95dF and 95% relative humidity. That was
> the"hot" and "humid" that some of these southern US types speak of? As
> I recall, a front came through the next day and it snowed. Oh well...

Fortunately, for those of us on the prairie there aren't any trees to
have to be bothered about cutting and splitting whatever this thing
called "firewood" is... :)

--

ss

spaco

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

26/06/2009 4:56 PM

Daytime.

Other than that, they say that the "sap is down" when the tree is
dormant in most cases. This might mean they'd have less moisture.

Around here, they say that the white ash is one of the few trees that
burns well when green.

Pick a time of year when you can work comfortably and still get the tree
out of the woods. I never cut or split trees in the summer unless its
an emergency. Down to about zero °F is best for me. I guess that says
"winter", but not January.


Pete Stanaitis
-------------------

Konstabel Els wrote:
> when is the best time to do this
>
> a) for cutting trees down
> b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire
>

jj

jo4hn

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

04/07/2009 5:29 PM

krw wrote:
> On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:46:40 -0500, Morris Dovey <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> krw wrote:
>>> On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:55:44 -0400, Bill <[email protected]>
>>> wrote:
>>>> It's what we southerners get for free and you northerners pay for.
>>>> It's called a sauna.
>>> More generally, it's called "free heat".
>> Hey! I represent that...
>>
>> ...northerners can have "free heat" if/when they want it. :)
>
> I was a northerner all my life (IL, NY, VT, OH), then decided to get
> the "free heat" last year. We moved to Alabama. ;-)
After being raised in South Dakota (the only windbreak between us and
the north pole was one tree in Minot ND), the family moved to
Californee. I took an oath never to touch snow again. Then after more
years than I can think about, I retired and moved into the nearby
mountains. Twelve feet of snow last winter. [dope slap]

There are a few problems with living in Paradise.

mahalo,
jo4hn

LH

"Lew Hodgett"

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

28/06/2009 11:11 PM

"Morris Dovey" wrote:

> ... and easier still if you do it with a powered hydraulic splitter.
> :)

Better yet, let someone else do the job while enjoying a cold one on
the beach under a cocoanut tree in someplace like the Fiji.

Lew



kk

krw

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

04/07/2009 4:53 PM

On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:46:40 -0500, Morris Dovey <[email protected]>
wrote:

>krw wrote:
>> On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:55:44 -0400, Bill <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>
>>> It's what we southerners get for free and you northerners pay for.
>>> It's called a sauna.
>>
>> More generally, it's called "free heat".
>
>Hey! I represent that...
>
>...northerners can have "free heat" if/when they want it. :)

I was a northerner all my life (IL, NY, VT, OH), then decided to get
the "free heat" last year. We moved to Alabama. ;-)

LH

"Lew Hodgett"

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

29/06/2009 4:36 AM


"Morris Dovey" wrote:

> One of 'em brought a home-built frame that had a 30" circular blade
> (with no guard, of course) that was pulley driven from his WD45 PTO.
<snip>
> I've always thought it was a minor miracle that I still had both
> hands at the end of the day.

Can certainly relate.

Had an uncle in North Central Indiana who had a 1938 John Deere
tractor he built a frame to hang on the front end to support a BIG saw
blade that was powered by a flat belt (same as a thrasher except
smaller belt).

He used it to clear brush.

Saw it mounted on the tractor and it scared the devil out of me.

Never saw it in service, just as happy I didn't.

Lew

Bc

Bill

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

04/07/2009 8:55 AM

On Thu, 2 Jul 2009 22:02:04 -0600, "Doug Brown"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>"Keith Nuttle" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> My father used to say any time the knife was sharp. ie. saw, ax, etc.
>>
>> I personally like to cut them when it is not so hot and humid. Meaning
>> early spring or late fall, depending on where you live
>
>I live in the middle of the Canadian prairies. What is this "hot" and
>"humid" that you speak of?
>
It's what we southerners get for free and you northerners pay for.
It's called a sauna.

Sk

Swingman

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

27/06/2009 1:07 PM

Morris Dovey wrote:
> spaco wrote:
>
>> Around here, they say that the white ash is one of the few trees that
>> burns well when green.
>
> Elm burns like the graveyard mould,
> Even the very flames are cold!
> Apple wood will scent your room,
> With incense-like perfume.
> Oak and maple, if dry and old,
> Keep away the winter's cold.
> But ash wood wet or ash wood dry,
> A king will warm his slippers by.

Beechwood fires are bright and clear
If the logs are kept a year.
Chestnut’s only good, they say,
If for long ’tis laid away.

Hard to beat olde English poetry for going right to the hea(r)t of the
matter. :)

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

hR

[email protected] (Ross Hebeisen)

in reply to Swingman on 27/06/2009 1:07 PM

27/06/2009 1:32 PM

is this olde English?
When I'm dead and in my grave
no more pussy will I crave
on my tombstone I want written
I've had my share and I'm not shitt'n
if by chance you pass me by
just piss on my I'm always dry.
ross
www.highislandexport.com

Sk

Swingman

in reply to Swingman on 27/06/2009 1:07 PM

27/06/2009 4:04 PM

Ross Hebeisen wrote:
> is this olde English?
> When I'm dead and in my grave
> no more pussy will I crave
> on my tombstone I want written
> I've had my share and I'm not shitt'n
> if by chance you pass me by
> just piss on my I'm always dry.

Sounds more Harvard, or Princeton ...

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

DB

"Doug Brown"

in reply to Konstabel Els on 26/06/2009 1:21 PM

02/07/2009 10:02 PM

"Keith Nuttle" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My father used to say any time the knife was sharp. ie. saw, ax, etc.
>
> I personally like to cut them when it is not so hot and humid. Meaning
> early spring or late fall, depending on where you live

I live in the middle of the Canadian prairies. What is this "hot" and
"humid" that you speak of?


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