Cut a load of Sycamore today

Cut a load of Sycamore today. I know it isn't the best stuff in the world, but it was on the ground and free! I cut my wood wherever I can and I always manage to get some oak, ash, hickory or locust, every year, so I don't mind having some "not the best wood" mixed in.

CodyWayne718 said:

Nice score. I like sycamore myself. That was a decent sized one!

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CW718, yes it was a big one...24" - 36" main trunk. I had to quarter the trunk rounds. Actually, I cut some of the quarters in half since I was by myself and to old :-S , and usually have my son helping me. The guy climbed the tree in his back yard and took it down from the top and doesn't want any of it. It is sort of bucked already but all different lengths so between that and the "noodle cuts", some work still left. That's my first truck load so I hope to get more before he hauls it off. So you like it? I have only burned it one other time and don't remember it being all that bad. It doesn't rate very high on most BTU, density tables.....and it sure is a stringy, splintery mess when split.

Jamess67 said:

Since you are a neighbor you can come cut the (huge) one from my yard.. I HATE this tree. Paid $1000 to have the other one taken out.. but you can have this one..lol.

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They are a dirty tree, dropping a lot of stuff, I know that. That is why this one is on the ground.

woodchip said:

tfdchief said:

They are a dirty tree, dropping a lot of stuff, I know that. That is why this one is on the ground.

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The sycamore in the woods behind us are always dropping branches, and frankly are very dangerous tree to have near footpaths.

Best place for sycamore is in a log store, nice and safe there.

They are one of my favourite woods to burn (partly as nobody else round here wants it and partly because I can get loads free virtually on my doorstep).

And it does burn quite nicely, and it can season a bit quicker than some woods, so it doesn't take so much time up in the wood store.........

Just my thoughts on an under-rated tree........

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Thanks woodchip, I think I will get some more before it gets away. I remembered it being decent wood the one time I had some.

I really like it. Burns fairly hot, but doesn't leave coals like the good woods do. I don't think twice about taking any for free

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I have burned a fair bit of sycamore over the years. I think it is fine in the shoulder season or mixed in with other wood. I think it burns hot and fast. I split my wood by hand and found it to be almost as hard as elm in splitting but I saw that you have a log splitter so you should be fine.

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Thanks all, good to know. Might as well get all I can get since it is FREE!

I checked some of the sycamore splits with my moisture meter today and was a little surprised. Its seems really wet, but i have 2 moisture meters and both showed anywhere from 28 - 30%. I expected 40 or the meter to register OL. Should be able to burn it next year if I need to.

woodchip said:

A few dead sycamore branches fell in the night behind our house, I know what I'll be doing this morning after breakfast

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So how much did you get?

Got a day off....First load of Sycamore is all split.

woodchip said:

The size of your splits are about the size of my branches.........

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So are you bragging you don't have to split or you think my splits are small?

woodchip said:

I was impressed by the size of your splits, my branches are rather puny in comparison.

I'm almost ashamed to admit to even having been out collecting something so small........ ;-)

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No need for that Woodchip. Wood is wood. As many on here say....its all BTU's

TheGriz said:

Sycamore is a fine wood to burn. I am heating mostly with it right now. Just takes more of it to heat the house, but if the price is right (free), then burn away.

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Kind of agree.