How many cords in this big bad oak?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
wishlist said:
Gonna take it down sometime after deer season. It's huge with side branches that are at least 18-24". Many, many years ago there was a powerline overhead and tree was topped occasionaly. Good thing is there is nothing in the way when I drop it, as long as I park my truck/trailer in the distance. lol.......

Maybe I should have Dennis over and he can show me all the advantages of splitting the main trunk vertical!


1.22 cord.


zap
 
Hmmm. Need something for size reference. If the limbs are really 18 to 24" and you keep everything 4" and up, then it is 2.34 cords.
 
I'm amazed at how smart MOST guys and gals here are . . .or maybe the cappuccino ain't started kicking in yet.

Here in NY, three trees are VERY identifiable this time of year . . . Beech, Ironwood, and OAK!! Because they all have leaves on, in different shades of brown. No leaves, it's not one of the three.

And I am amazed at people that want to build a house and the first thing they do is cut every tree down. Then a few years later they are desperatly planting trees for shade, privacy and character. THAT tree has character dripping out, drowning out the BTUs.

2 Cord is a LOT of wood from one tree. My Wag is 1 1/4

Jimbo
 
Maybe you have a good reason to take the tree down, but I'd leave it. You don't need the firewood, and the tree might stand there for 300 years if it is an oak. Yeah, some trees do rot and fall, but that is a very slow process and in my opinion not a good reason for taking down trees that would do no damage if they fall.

If this was a 'what type of tree is this' thread I would not be able to tell from the picture. It could be White Oak, but it could also be a bunch of other things. In my yard most of the White Oaks still have a few leaves, but I see one big one that doesn't have any.
 
That thing could be a nightmare to take down. Well, the cutting down won’t be so bad but with all those limbs, the trunk will be far off the ground. Be very careful cutting that thing! Give me a jingle and I’ll split that sucker for you.

Signature
Keep smiling!
Dennis


I agree, if you simply "cut" the tree as is, you stand a good chance of having it spring backwards or sideways, and it will be very risky with the weight of the main trunk being borne by just a couple branches.

If I were cutting it, I'd flag it- cut all the branches off on the side that it will fall on, and get them out of the way/clear the ground, so it will be steady and solid when on the ground.

You probably already know this, but...

Rob
 
I am only about 25 minutes down the road, feel free to get in touch with me if you want some help. Only ask that you let me take a load in my 5x8 trailer:)
 
I'd guess 3.5 cords when split and stacked....those vertical limbs look like nice size rounds.

Good luck.... but before you cut it down, have you thought about wrapping with some camo fabric, putting in a stove, and making you a great deer blind? LOL

Bill
 
Thanks everybody for the input. We had a really nice day today so I finished the cherry and Apple I was working on.
I took my 12 ft tape over to this tree and I lacked about 18" from measuring the circumference at chest level. If my math is correct at 12 ft it would be 45" diameter?

I also verified its definitely a bur oak. No doubt with all the acorns!

I'll get some more pics, also really noticed how the horizontal branches are 2ft plus at the trunk and extend out quite a ways.
 
wishlist said:
Thanks everybody for the input. We had a really nice day today so I finished the cherry and Apple I was working on.
I took my 12 ft tape over to this tree and I lacked about 18" from measuring the circumference at chest level. If my math is correct at 12 ft it would be 45" diameter?

I also verified its definitely a bur oak. No doubt with all the acorns!

I'll get some more pics, also really noticed how the horizontal branches are 2ft plus at the trunk and extend out quite a ways.

For an oak thats big! Just never seen one not hold its leave's until at-least deep Jan. I would put it at 4.5 cords.
 
It would be a shame to cut that tree down. Try to talk your friend out of it.
 
Jay, its a bur oak with lots of burrs.
 
Backwoods Savage said:
Jay, its a bur oak with lots of burrs.

Dont think I have ran into one yet. Grain still look like oak?
 
curber said:
Soooo... How many cord already!!! Pat

Hey Pat, gonna wait till after deer season to cut it up. Should give me plenty of time to rest up until then!
 
wishlist said:
curber said:
Soooo... How many cord already!!! Pat

Hey Pat, gonna wait till after deer season to cut it up. Should give me plenty of time to rest up until then!

So, after deer season are you cutting up the deer or the oak?
 
Burr Oaks can live for hundreds of years up to 4 I believe, I wonder how old that one is.
 
Backwoods Savage said:
wishlist said:
curber said:
Soooo... How many cord already!!! Pat

Hey Pat, gonna wait till after deer season to cut it up. Should give me plenty of time to rest up until then!



So, after deer season are you cutting up the deer or the oak?

Both! Got a nice 8 pt with bow in October so I'm being "selective" . I did see a nice buck heading your way Dennis, north bound off of durand rd. As us hunters say," he was carrying the mail". Could be to the bridge by now. Lol......
 
Methinks that buck bypassed our place. We had some nice pictures of some nice bucks on trail cam and I did see some during bow season that would have been easy picking with a rifle but....Only seen a few bucks opening day and all small. I did take the biggest one as we did need meat this year. I'll still hunt some but will be cutting wood hopefully in less than 2 weeks. By then, the deer will be safe around here.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.