Logs Length... miscommunication?

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New Fire Guy

Member
Nov 26, 2010
32
Burlington, CT
A question, maybe for someone in the tree service business.

Say I get a quote to have some trees cut down. After discussion about how the wood is to be partially left on site and partially removed the quote states, ("leave logs length hardwood x chip branches"). It is pretty clear what chip branches means. How about the first part, ("leave logs length hardwood"). In the tree business, does that mean the wood is left in long lengths spanning 6-10 feet or does that mean the wood is left in ready for splitting/burning log lengths?

Had some trees cut down today. After the work was done, instead of looking at a pile of 18-22 inches logs that are ready to split, I am looking a pile of 8-10 feet long logs that require time with the chainsaw. Some of this stuff is 3 feet think.

When brought up afterwards, the tree service said the quote would have been for more than it was if the work was to include cutting the wood up into ready to burn length. When we initially talked, I told the tree service that I wanted the wood left in "log lengths"... In my mind, that meant fireplace burning log lengths...

Getting back to quote, ("leave logs length hardwood"). What does that mean in the tree service trade? Does it give me any support to call my tree service back to push the issue.
 
Log Length is not stove ready length. Look at all the posts on here where people buy "log length" - comes on a big truck in 8 to 20 foot lengths and must be cut up before splitting. Unfortunately for you, I would have to agree with the tree guy.
 
Not in the tree biz, but is sounds like they did what the stated they'd do - cut the trees, limb, and leave for you to buck. Sounds like fun! But...if you were expecting them to buck to desired length, might be a bummer for you. Were you planning to split yourself (you weren't expecting split wood, right?)? I guess you can look at it as a chance to get some good experience with the saw if you haven't had much yet. I think you'll find the work enjoyable! Cheers!
 
Well, I guess I learned an important lesson today...

I also guees I should have went with the other tree service that quoted the same price, but who clearly understood what I wanted and thought I had asked for as they wrote on their quote "cut 20 inch".

No, I did not expect split, just cut into fireplace burning lenghts...
 
New Guy, I have to agree with the others. Most of us wouldn't consider 20 inch rounds to be 'logs.' Looks like you made your wishes clear to one service but no to the other one. If you don't have a chainsaw, maybe a buddy can buck it up to length for you.
 
Yep, unfortunately you have what you asked for.

My neighbor had 30 ash tree's taken down last year, I was able to get a few cords of it and he had them all cut to 24" lengths.(that's what his old stove used to use) Bummed me out that he didn't talk with me before hand since I had to re-cut all of them! I would have told him to leave them log length and save himself some money. That way I would've cut to my exact length and he could have saved a few bucks. Either way it worked out great since it's impossible to argue with free wood!
 
Like Lee, I've worked in the woods a bit and also at the mills. To us, log length meant saw log lengths which varies a bit depending on what is needed for cutting. They could be 8' long or 16' long or every 2' in between.

Sorry about your disappointment New Fire Guy but this just has to be chalked up as a hard lesson. Don't let it get in your way of enjoying the Christmas Season. It is done and you can not change it so just deal with it and put a smile on your face and know that if there ever is a next time, you will be more specific in your needs. In the meantime, sawing those logs can be fun. Just think, you have no limbing to do and no brush to handle. So enjoy it and make the most of it.
 
Yep, still smiling, sitting in front of the fire with the family!

Will be interesting to see if my Echo saw can get through some of these thicker logs. I have never cut any wood this thick before.
 
Hey, give it a shot. Try to get them up off the ground before you cut. It will make it easier to keep the saw chain from hitting the ground. That dulls the chain like right now! Just some little poles or something like landscape timber block will raise it high enough and make your work easier. Have some fun dong it too!
 
Welcome New Fire Guy. Great to see another CT guy here. Enjoy the time you will spend sawing it up!! If you haven't cut much ask some questions here. Post some pics and people can help with a good game plan. I learned so much from everyone here.
 
New Fire Guy said:
Yep, still smiling, sitting in front of the fire with the family!

Will be interesting to see if my Echo saw can get through some of these thicker logs. I have never cut any wood this thick before.
Click to expand...

Any sections < 36" diameter (approximately) you can cut with a true 18" reach bar. It will "get through". What diameter are we talking?

Just don't try to cut dirt. You can make a series of cuts part-way, then roll the log or a cut-off section of it. Peavey is a great tool.

No big deal to cut logs > 36" diam., if you do some noodling to remove wood from outside to let the saw reach the uncut core.
Absent such creativity, you can rent or maybe ask a bud.

From what I've read (on Amazon) about cs-400, I'd make darn sure my fuel was fresh, mixed with quality 50:1 oil at 40:1, and I'd richen the main
mixture adjustment more'n a bit from factory setting. You probably have a catalytic converter in the muffler; overheating can destroy them- give
it a rest periodically and look for signs of distress. (Extra fuel & oil will raise cat temps.)

Might be a good time for a larger saw? I see stratified-charge in your future- waaaaay superior to cat for emission-control.
 
shamelessLEE said:
Log length is exactLEE that.
Estimate wood have said "cut to length (18")" if for firewood.
Click to expand...


+1 log length would be how ever big that trunk is.
 
Yup . . . log length is just that . . . a tree in log form . . . which around here typically means a minimum of 6 feet . . . and most likely much longer than that.
 
The S in "logs length" is a little odd, but I read that as "log length" and not as "stove length". After all, if stove length was to be inferred, the desired length would have been stated. What if he bucked everything to 24" and your stove took only 20" or 10" for N/S loading?
 
Oh, and the difference between tree length and log length is that tree length is one piece whereby log length, the tree is cut into several shorter (maybe 8 foot) pieces.
 
Backwoods Savage said:
Like Lee, I've worked in the woods a bit and also at the mills. To us, log length meant saw log lengths which varies a bit depending on what is needed for cutting. They could be 8' long or 16' long or every 2' in between.

Sorry about your disappointment New Fire Guy but this just has to be chalked up as a hard lesson. Don't let it get in your way of enjoying the Christmas Season. It is done and you can not change it so just deal with it and put a smile on your face and know that if there ever is a next time, you will be more specific in your needs. In the meantime, sawing those logs can be fun. Just think, you have no limbing to do and no brush to handle. So enjoy it and make the most of it.
Click to expand...

This is an excellent attitude. Not just for this situation, either.
Sometimes, you just have to add it to the memory banks and move on.
 
New Fire Guy said:
A question, maybe for someone in the tree service business.

Say I get a quote to have some trees cut down. After discussion about how the wood is to be partially left on site and partially removed the quote states, ("leave logs length hardwood x chip branches"). It is pretty clear what chip branches means. How about the first part, ("leave logs length hardwood"). In the tree business, does that mean the wood is left in long lengths spanning 6-10 feet or does that mean the wood is left in ready for splitting/burning log lengths?

Had some trees cut down today. After the work was done, instead of looking at a pile of 18-22 inches logs that are ready to split, I am looking a pile of 8-10 feet long logs that require time with the chainsaw. Some of this stuff is 3 feet think.

When brought up afterwards, the tree service said the quote would have been for more than it was if the work was to include cutting the wood up into ready to burn length. When we initially talked, I told the tree service that I wanted the wood left in "log lengths"... In my mind, that meant fireplace burning log lengths...

Getting back to quote, ("leave logs length hardwood"). What does that mean in the tree service trade? Does it give me any support to call my tree service back to push the issue.
Click to expand...

If I read that I'd have chipped branches and left the rest of the tree exactly how it fell. You said "leave" logs, not "cut to firewood length rounds"

I would very politely call the tree service back and explain to them that you left a very unclear and very misleading note and if they could send a guy to buck up the logs for a nominal fee.

Here in WA "log length" means 40'

18"-22" are not "logs"
 
"Buck it up" would be the expression for having your log lengths cut to 18" (or whatever size).
"Chip brush and buck up any hardwood over 4" diameter into fire wood length 18" for wood stove."
I would suggest start cutting the smaller stuff and working your way up to the bigger pieces if you haven't done a lot of cutting.
 
Bucking up your logs and splitting/stacking is actually quite fun.

It's even more fun, and a lot less work, if you have the right tools!

I processed a very full logging truck of fir and larch last winter. Before starting, I purchased a "Timber Jack" from Baileys In CA) and 2 timber tongs from my local Husqavarna dealer.

The timber jack made the bucking a breeze. The part of the log that I was cutting was always off the ground. I actually only sharpened the saw twice in 19+/- cords! I don't have a pic, but will take one and post it later.

The timber tongs were a life and back saver. I think that picking up the cut rounds and moving them to the splitter is the hardest part of processing wood. The tongs made it much easier. I've included a couple of pics. BTW, if you decide you want the tongs, buy two - then you are balanced as you walk with them. You can pick up surprisingly large rounds with these guys!
 

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