A limb in the stump?

  • 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.
  • Hope everyone has a wonderful and warm Thanksgiving!
  • Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
Status
Not open for further replies.

Fred Wright

Minister of Fire
Dec 26, 2013
518
Delaware
www.nwedj.com
Folks,

With the rain finally gone I got out to trim a few stumps and noodle some rounds today.

There was a small limb remnant protruding from the hinge wood on a white oak stump. I've never seen a limb this close to the ground before.

Thoughts?

[Hearth.com] A limb in the stump? [Hearth.com] A limb in the stump?
 
I don't know about the limb, I suppose anythings possible, but, it looks like you got lucky with a few close calls to nails or some kind of metal in the tree.
 
I don't know about the limb, I suppose anythings possible, but, it looks like you got lucky with a few close calls to nails or some kind of metal in the tree.

No hardware, those are stains in the wood. I'm guessing from mineral deposits in the ground. Got a lot of red maple with similar markings. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sinngetreu
There is/was iron somewhere in that tree I'll guarantee it. Oak will often times have a remnant of a second tree that did not live past youth. Acorns quite often drop in pairs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fred Wright
I have seen trees with a limb or maybe it was another tree sticking out of the base of the trunk. I have to idea what that would look like if the tree were cut, but maybe it would look like your tree.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fred Wright
Dat ain't no mineral deposit ! They's ah chunk ah metal hiddin' from ya in dat der tree. Maybe small as a nail or big as a Ford bumper, but hits metal and it be in der fo sho!;)
 
There is hardware somewhere in that tree for certain. That stain is unmistakeable. Look at the other rounds from it, they will all have the same stain at the exact same spot. Somewhere along it the metal can be found. You might be able to figure out which round holds it by the size of the stain.

As for your branch, did you cut the stump, split and examine it like a science project? It might be interesting to look at. The fact that it wasn't rotted out makes me think it was part of the same tree.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fred Wright
I find limbs in stumps of hedge trees all the time. Figured it was particular to hedge because they are so gnarled to begin with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fred Wright
Well if there is hardware in the tree, thankfully I didn't hit it when bucking. :)

Will have to examine the rounds to see how far up it goes. I trimmed the stump yesterday, no markings that far down. The tree is 'way out in the middle of nowhere... but I suppose someone years ago could've nailed or stapled something to it. Guess I'll find out when I get it split.

The tree is (or was) next to an old logging rut, right at the edge of it. I recall standing with one foot in it, making the back cut.
 
Well if there is hardware in the tree, thankfully I didn't hit it when bucking. :)

Will have to examine the rounds to see how far up it goes. I trimmed the stump yesterday, no markings that far down. The tree is 'way out in the middle of nowhere... but I suppose someone years ago could've nailed or stapled something to it. Guess I'll find out when I get it split.

The tree is (or was) next to an old logging rut, right at the edge of it. I recall standing with one foot in it, making the back cut.
The rounds in the background of photo 2 show the stains.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fred Wright
I recently split up an oak that had branches like this hidden in several 24-30" diameter rounds.
On my oak, I assumed the lower branches were removed at some point by a previous owner and the trunk grew around the branches.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fred Wright
Status
Not open for further replies.