Stringy Douglass Fir

I can't explain why it's different from other douglas fir you've had before. I've had good luck with splitting douglas fir, but I've only split 4 cords of it from 2 different trees. Compared to the 2 cords of plum I split recently, douglas fir is a delight to split. I do occasionally get a piece that won't split due to a knot. I have a pile of those pieces. They're small enough to put in the stove, but some are pushing the limit.

When you have to pry pieces apart, it might be easier with a small hatchet. When I get pieces that are split but cling together, I grab my axe near the head and strike the clingy part a couple times instead of just pulling them apart.

I have found that trees that grow where they catch a lot of wind can be tough to split.

I was just gonna say, wind exposure.
Ive tried to figure that out myself, I was wondering about time of year. But if you stand on the top of a hill on a really windy day you can see how much trees sway back and forth.
Although I split Black birch in the spring and it was worse than Elm. I was thinking it was a 'growing' issue.

Ski-Patroller said:

Anyone have any idea why there is so much change in one species?

Click to expand...

As a life long Doug Fir (God's own firewood) burner, allow me to elucidate.

1) Trees on the edge of units or standing alone have more knots and are generally more exposed causing them to be tougher to split

2) Trees growing in poor soil or in poor conditions (low light) have smaller growth rings which makes them denser and often, stringyer.

3) Butt cuts are usually stringy

4) Long term leaners are often stringy

The good news is that stringy Doug Fir makes the best firewood