Picked up some more elm, american elm this time I think. Was still sitting in a neighbor's yard from the thunderstorms back in early or mid august. The larger sections were 24"+ in diameter, so I tried out the 24" bar (that I really bought for the 359) on the 455 w/ skip chain (full chisel). I was quite pleasantly surprised how well that combo cut, especially given that the 455 with an 18" bar and full comp (same full chisel) did bog down some. A couple swings of the maul confirmed that the tree was elm, so I noodled everything into quarters. About a cord, the splitting still has a ways to go. I think my new 8lb maul is the right tool (other than a hydraulic splitter, that is) for elm, its edge is sharp enough to cut some fibers and it's blunt and heavy enough to tear the rest. :roll:
Actually, it splits (comparatively) easy parallel to the growth rings, so flaking does work to a point. But here's a couple of pics of what you get when you cross the grain.
Actually, it splits (comparatively) easy parallel to the growth rings, so flaking does work to a point. But here's a couple of pics of what you get when you cross the grain.