which would you choose

I met a tree guy that has a processing area about a mile from me. I can pick up some relatively easy shoulder season wood. Which offer would you take and why?

1. Pine slab wood. About 3x7x14 ft dump load. Avg thickness 3", mostly with bark. $75 delivered.

2. Ailanthus, about 4.5x7x12 log load. $225 delivered.

I've burned both types of wood, but never slab wood. I'm leaning toward some pine because I've had little time to scrounge lately. I also hate burning my oak & BL in anything but the coldest weather.

Discuss.

osagebow said:

How does ailainthus burn? Similar to pine?

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Probably similar, it's very light when dry and doesn't coal at all. Good point about the processing, most of the pine would only need to be split once, if at all.

osagebow said:

Drove near ya today on 11- guy by the Lacy elementary school has some monster rounds (5'.across?) Any idea what those are?

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Not sure, I'll have to check it out next time I'm by there.

red oak said:

If I were 6 years ahead like you are, I'm not sure I would spend money on ailanthus. You can afford to be a bit more selective if you choose. As for the pine, that slab would should be fairly dry. It will burn hot and fast. I used to get a pick-up truck load of slabs every few years to use for kindling/campfires. I personally would not buy either, but I did like the slabs because they did not have to be split and were really easy to process and stack.

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LOL, after last year, I feel like I'm only 3 years ahead, & I know I won't have much time to go cut this winter. I'm still thinking about the pine, but we'll see...