Onto the Locust

I put up probably 5+ cords of mostly oak but also cherry, maple, hickory, pine, some cedar, you name it I think theres a even a little sassafras in there. All from Sandy and a fair amount right from the backyard. Got most of that done in the winter right after Sandy hit.

Over the summer I had three fairly large locusts dropped by a tree service. Two tricky leaners also from the storm and one I just wanted gone.

So its splitting weather again. I'm guessing I'll get 1.5 cords out of them, maybe 2. Gotta luv it, those Fiskar's are something else.

Doing The Dixie Eyed Hustle said:

Rock it, J, rock it

Oh, and pics, or it didn't happen

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I know I'm getting lazy on the pics. The tree guys stacked all the rounds neatly and they looked so nice stting there I kept thinking I need to take a picture. Maybe tomorrow if they don't float away.

Paulywalnut said:

Your Fiskars will make short work of the locust. I always thought BL split nicer after the rounds sat for a while.

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I'm through about 3/4 cord I guess splitting it down small, mostly <3" and the Fiskars goes through it no problem, even the biggest rounds which are at least 20" dia and 18" or more long. The bark is coming off in sheets, If you've ever split this stuff you know what I mean. Bark burns pretty good (after a day or two) in the chiminea and having the bark off doesn't hurt the drying time.

Since Dixie made me feel a bit guilty here are a few pics. Sorry for the quality but its been raining all night and day and getting dark. I split about half of what I had in the way of locust.

The stack is oak, cherry and hickory from back property, cut last spring, split a week or two ago. Should not need until 2016.

That one that's laid down is also in the back of my property off the ground by a couple feet just waiting for me. Prob get it cut to length in the spring or maybe this time next year, no rush.

red oak said:

My father in law dropped a huge dead locust tree (black locust) and I split the pieces up for him. I could not believe how easy it split, even pieces that were 36" in diameter. The tree had been dead standing for well over a year, and I was surprised how much of that tree was ready to burn. The bark popped right off too. Love locust, wish I had more of it around where I am.

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36" diameter locust, they don't come bigger. I'd rather split oak or maple but locust ain't too bad.

Elusive said:

I had to deal with a leaning black locust this past week. It will be worth it next winter

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That's it right there, that pic could have been taken in my backyard 10X over the last few years! I burned 18 mo locust for a whole season and IMO it could've used a little more time. That's Long Island weather so your results may vary. I like it best mixed in with other species. I always have some on hand but next time I'm burning locust exclusively won't be for a few years. Gonna make sure it's fully seasoned (>2yrs) see how that goes.

Elusive said:

I hear you there. I have a couple acres of large old black locust, and not much free space to drop it. I have been burning locust almost exclusively this winter, but i have an old large house and even with the pe summit i'm struggling to heat more than just the first floor.

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How are your startups and relights? If its at all wet I found resplitting down even more was helpful, had to relaod more often but plenty of heat.

oldspark said:

Been splitting for the last day or so, my hydraulic splitter is something elser.

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The money spent on gas v. tylenol is probably a wash but think of the fun you're missing.

osagebow said:

Googled "katana boy" from you sig, ja....I want one!

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It's pretty cool and sharp sharp sharp. Its hand powered so clearly not for some of the people on this thread

oldspark said:

Split wood by hand for 30 years, I know exactly what I am missing.

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You guys are no fun, raining on my parade.

So yesterday I was able to put together a rack with metal brackets and 2x4's that was gifted to me Split a few more rounds and loaded that full. Today built another rack with my helper and split 5-6 more. That's about half the locust I have. The first rack is holding around 80 cu/ft the second probably around 65-70 when full. Good news puttin' up a decent amount of wood , bad news...gonna need more racks .

Backwoods Savage said:

We don't use racks here but if we did, we'd fill one rack. Next we'd place the next rack so it was not too close to the first. That way you could add one more wood pile without making a rack for it. All you would need would be some poles or landscape timbers or something similar to stack on. The ends would be supported by the other two racks.

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Its a good idea. I don't have access to many good straight saplings like you use so I mostly I've been using pallets and anything else thats laying around. Figured I try this for single row stacking and improve my drying. Once I burn some of the stuff I already stacked I might try your idea. Itsa work in progress.