Sycamore

[Ashful]

Brought home about 1/3 cord of Sycamore today. I've never handled this stuff, and haven't taken the maul to it yet. What can you guys tell me about it? Doesn't feel all that heavy... reminds me of Poplar in the round.

 

[The Beagler]

After a few good whacks with your maul, you'll realize it ain't poplar! Tough to split (especially when green) but burns good.

 

[steeltowninwv]

if its light like poplar i would guess its pretty dry...sycamore holds a lot of moisture and is usually very heavy..it dries pretty good though...btu wise..i thinks it better than soft maple and just shy of cherry....the big stuff can be a nightmare to split....smaller stuff splits pretty nice..it all splits better when somewhat dry...look in my profile pic thats all sycamore...

 

[Ashful]

Ugg.... I didn't say it, but that's why I was asking. It just LOOKS tough to split! Oh well. I'll be doing it with sledge and wedge, if the maul won't go thru it.

It was downed by a flood two years ago, and lying in a back yard. The weight indicates it's fairly dry.

 

[ScotO]

Burns good, hard to split. But worth the effort, way better than poplar.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Being down for 2 years, it might split pretty good. Please let us know how it goes.

 

[tfdchief]

I take sycamore whenever it comes along. It isn't the best wood but not that bad either. I have found some on it ok to split and some of it as bad as elm The splitter really doesn't care though

 

[golfandwoodnut]

I take sycamore whenever it comes along. It isn't the best wood but not that bad either. I have found some on it ok to split and some of it as bad as elm The splitter really doesn't care though

I just build a deer stand in a huge sycamore, I bet the trunks are 4 foot in diameter, those trees can get big. Never burned any though so sorry I can't help with that.