Black Locust question

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Roundgunner

Roundgunner

Feeling the Heat
Nov 26, 2013
360
Rural CT
A friend who owns a tree service called to ask if I wanted some Black Locust from about 25 miles away. I told him yes for sure but was standing in DMV so couldn't ask too many questions. I'm hoping it is a monster and I can get a lot CSS. I burned 13.5 cord this year (4 were pine) 2 were fairly fresh ash. I'm hoping to replace everything with hard wood this spring and summer. I have 5.5 of maple/elm CSS so far.

Question is does BL need to dry 3 years like oak? I have 8-9 cord of oak that is 1-1.5 years CSS all single row but all in shade in the summer. If this is 3 year wood I will be stacking it in a spot further out of the way.

Looks like this BL will be the first load with the new to me dump truck.


 
Ive read all kinds of mixed times on BL. I guess it depends on all the usual variables. I got one season on mine but I split small. Like 3" x 4"
Smart man on the dump truck...;)
 
I generally let it set 2yrs and it comes out 17-20%mc but mine is in the sun and wind all day
 
Black Locust can stand dead for years, so that is the most important information. I've cut BL many times that was standing without bark and it was in the upper teens on the MM. I would let live cut BL sit for 2 seasons.
 
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Bl is my most favorite wood even with the poison splinters. So of course that's what I get the least of. I would hate to ruin it by burning to soon.
 
One to two years. Could be ready for later next winter if it's out drying with lots of sun and wind. I've got lots of BL and it is often a PITA to split, just depends upon how straight a trunk you get before it branches off. It makes great posts if you need them.
 
If it was standing dead be ready to go through some chains cutting it up. 2 years is best in my experience.
 
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13 cor
Roundgunner said:
A friend who owns a tree service called to ask if I wanted some Black Locust from about 25 miles away. I told him yes for sure but was standing in DMV so couldn't ask too many questions. I'm hoping it is a monster and I can get a lot CSS. I burned 13.5 cord this year (4 were pine) 2 were fairly fresh ash. I'm hoping to replace everything with hard wood this spring and summer. I have 5.5 of maple/elm CSS so far.

Question is does BL need to dry 3 years like oak? I have 8-9 cord of oak that is 1-1.5 years CSS all single row but all in shade in the summer. If this is 3 year wood I will be stacking it in a spot further out of the way.

Looks like this BL will be the first load with the new to me dump truck.


Click to expand...
13 cords? Are you heating the neighborhood?
 
Take all the black locust you can get and wait as long as it takes to get it well under 20% MC and you will be very happy when it comes time to burn. If you burn it in the 20% plus range you may get frustrated or even worse! not get to know its true potential...... I say be ready to let it go closer to 3 years but you never know......
 
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gzecc said:
13 cor

13 cords? Are you heating the neighborhood?
Click to expand...

2 houses and DHW to both. It was cold for a long time this year too.
 
I agree with the boys on giving it a longer seasoning time. And I argue with my BIL over hickory as well. It can go with a year drying but 2 or more is really a better option.
Its why I process poplar as well, so I have something on hand and to blend the seasoned with not quite seasoned when things fall short.
 
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I just split a bunch today. The tree seemed half dead and half alive lol. Hard to tell. Some of it is bone dry other rounds were soaking wet. 3 years for me.
 
From experience. Let it season 3 years. You'll be very happy with the results. 2 years just doesn't seem like enough and you'll realize it if you try it. It doesn't burn very good by it self, it will need help from a softer hardwood like maple or cherry. 3 years and you can load your stove up and it will throw heat like not many other species .
 
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