Why is my Fir Hard to Split?

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bcnu

New Member
Dec 1, 2006
495
I'm hand splitting pieces of fir that are about 20-24 inches across and 16 long. It's acting like some of the elm I had - instead of splitting clean through it shreds off and hangs together. It's taking numerous blows. It's been down a few months. I cut some last summer that was down longer and it was a delight to split. Is it because the wood is dry or would it help to put a new edge on the maul or???
 
Like you say, usually fir is easy to split. Is this Doug Fir? Maybe you've run into a firelm tree?
 
My best guess is the Fir isn't dry enough yet, it's somewhat green still. I burn almost exclusively Doug Fir and some other Fir species and I can tell you that somewhat damp Doug fir can be a bear to split.
 
Have you tried a conditioner? :down:
 
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