Help required - is this oak?

[Auzzie Gumtree]

Just got a call from one of the neighbours asking if i wanted this scrounge.

She said it was Oak - but i am not sure this is the only picture I have. I have never had oak.

 

[nrford]

??

 

[Applesister]

I'd do it. Its chainsawed into some weird chunks, though. They will be shorties...
Are you in Austrailia? A nice pile of wood.

 

[jeff_t]

Looks like some kind of maple, from this side of the world. It'll burn.

 

[wesessiah]

the oak i cut normally looks more reddish or darker brown towards the center, and overall not as light colored, but i honestly can't give any educated guesses. also, the white/pin/black oak i have don't have that smooth of barker on the larger parts, but the smaller stuff looks similar to mine as far as the bark. why did they cut the larger rounds so short?

 

[Auzzie Gumtree]

I'd do it. Its chainsawed into some weird chunks, though. They will be shorties...
Are you in Austrailia? A nice pile of wood.

Yes i'm down under - they only reason i am a bit hesitant is that its down a slope i will have to wheelbarrow it up to my truck. I don't want to say yes then regret it.....
The majority of the wood i scrounge is all different sizes and shapes so this will 'fall' straight into my stacks

 

[Auzzie Gumtree]

the oak i cut normally looks more reddish or darker brown towards the center, and overall not as light colored, but i honestly can't give any educated guesses. also, the white/pin/black oak i have don't have that smooth of barker on the larger parts, but the smaller stuff looks similar to mine as far as the bark. why did they cut the larger rounds so short?

Ours is not to reason why......... i presume it was easier for them to move it that way - they never intended to use it for themselves and access is going to be tight and hard work but its all been cut so i think i will take a punt on it. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Senatormofo]

I'd take it whatever it is but it sure doesn't look like oak.

 

[mywaynow]

So when we use the term "punt" it usually means we give in, or give up. Drop back ten and punt. Guessing you are taking a crack at it by using the term punt. Looks like a Maple species from here.

 

[smokinj]

Isnt everything there at-least a hardwood?

 

[Auzzie Gumtree]

So when we use the term "punt" it usually means we give in, or give up. Drop back ten and punt. Guessing you are taking a crack at it by using the term punt. Looks like a Maple species from here.

Yes - take a punt is like 'have a go' a bit of a risk.

Isnt everything there at-least a hardwood?

90% of all our wood is Hardwood - the only softwoods we have are introduced from the early European settlers.

I had a look at it last night - there is heaps of wood the original photo doesn't do it justice. Here's another one and there are 3 more piles like this plus the original one.



I had a word with the owner and she seemed to know a lot about the tree. They actually tried to save the tree they spent $7000 putting metal rods in the tree to try and strengthen it and also they wired the top of the tree to other trees to try and support it. all to no avail. She then had to spend a further $1000 having it cut like this. She said it's Californian Red Oak and it was by far the biggest tree on her property.

All was good but then the access........ there were fifteen steps to get to the wood in 3 sets of steps going in a dog leg (right angles to each other.) she did say some people had picked some up already but it looks like a nightmare. I really wanted to have some oak so i might get a load but when you are 3 years in front you can be a bit more selective. But seeming you guys talk about it quite a bit i wanted to see for myself. I picked up a bit and it seemed comparable to our Tasmanian Oak which i have heaps of.

Anyone near by i can give you there address if you feel fit and energetic.....

 

[bogydave]

Tasmanian Oak

Sounds like some tough wood.

What's the seasoning time there for oak?
(i'm thinking you have a drier climate but not sure)

 

[Auzzie Gumtree]

Sounds like some tough wood.

What's the seasoning time there for oak?
(i'm thinking you have a drier climate but not sure)

Not too sure this will be my first year. I have just started to have a few fires this year as we are entering our shoulder season. I am using some of the wood i cut ~ 12 months ago. Its been stored on pallets but not in the best spot for drying as it is up against a fence with 3 rows to a pallet. a bit too tight but i have limited space and i am more concerned with getting a decent quantity rather than optimal drying.

I have 2 wood heaters - the big one (2.95 cubic feet) heats up very well so much better than last year. It can burn overnight with no problems but it does make the house too warm and can be an overkill this time of year. The smaller one, which i use most night now, is less forgiving. You have to keep the firebox good and hot and you have to feed it often but with the firebox being so small you only manage a few hours burn, which is ok as i only use it when we settle down for the night.

So to answer your question - i am not sure. I don't think this wood is as dry as it should be although there are no 'hissers' when i put the wood into the fire but i keep the air fairly open (on the small fire.) i do manage to turn the air down on the big one with good seconderies so it might not be too bad. I will check it this weekend with the moisture meter.