There is a large tree trunk (maybe 3 foot in diameter and 30 foot long) on Sutton Road between Oakton High School and Courthouse Road in Vienna, VA. I have been watching it for some time. This afternoon there was a "free firewood" sign on it. Too big for me to tackle, but maybe one of you might go for it. Sorry, I don't have any pictures.
Big Score in Northern Virginia
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Not sure what the wood is. Could be maple. If I get by that way, I will try to take a picture for better identification. I may check on renting a saw from Home Depot if it is still there later in the week. My 18 inch Stihl is just not adequate for something this big.
Yeah, I see tons of listings for free firewood in Northern Virginia. Probably just as many as I see in Bethesda. If I was still living in Montgomery County, I would be all over that stuff. However, now that I am in Howard County it is a little too far to drive unless I can bring a trailer along and load up two cords worth per trip. Problem is I don't have a trailer yet capable of hauling a cord safely.
Ralphie Boy
Minister of Fire
Come on Bryan, by the looks of your signature line you have enough toys to take that on. All you need is an 18" bar and you can get it. Maybe even a 16" inch bar with a strong power plant. Just start at the skinny end. Good luck!
From his sig it seems he has a Stihl 017. I think he can get it done, but the saw will be working pretty hard on it. Reminds me of the old days when my dad's saws would struggle on something like that.
When size matters, one sometimes find's oneself exaggerating.
I measured the bar, and it's only 14". The engine is 30cc. If this were in my yard and I could work on it a couple of hours a day, I would not hesitate to take it on. Ralphie Boy's right - I have the tools. Once you have a Fiskar's axe, you can tackle anything! As for starting at the skinny end, that's long gone. While I need to measure it, it looks like close to 3 feet in diameter all the way to the top of what is left.I'll let you borrow this one (42" bar and chain) if you bring me some of the wood........cut and split, of course.....
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You need to pair up with another member down that way and get that sucker.......
You need to pair up with another member down that way and get that sucker.......
Village Idiot
Burning Hunk
I did a drive by this morning on the way in to work, but did not see it? Is it still there? I am willing to bring my saw (20" bar) and if I can get my hands on my buddy's truck I can bring my splitter.
Village Idiot
Burning Hunk
Ok, I found it. Yep, that is one big log. It is more than 36" (2 cubits + 4" or more in some areas.) You can see where someone else has already tried to cut through it in multiple places and hammer it apart with wood wedges. It will take a lot more saw than I have to get that log into workable sections.
Gonna have to come up with another plan of attack. "Honey, it's time for a bigger saw...."
Gonna have to come up with another plan of attack. "Honey, it's time for a bigger saw...."
Alright, had to google "cubit". So, a cubit is 18" and the log is 40" or more in places. The 261 can run a 20" bar, which ends up being a little less than 20" in actuality. Would that be able to get the job done with some wedges to break the larger pieces off. Otherwise, you are going to have to look at a MS362, MS440, or larger saw to run a 25" bar on it.
Guess I am somewhat lucky. I would just end up saying, "Honey, here is the new saw" and she really wouldn't care. Went and looked at a bucked up tree today that I am going to tackle tomorrow and man am I glad I have the 660. Both saws are going to get a workout tomorrow just noodling these things down to a size that is manageable. Should have bought the MS362 off of Craigslist over the weekend for $500, but might treat myself to a new one this summer/fall.
Again, I wish I was closer to you guys and could lend you a hand cutting that thing up.
Village Idiot
Burning Hunk
I am not very good at estimating lengths, so measurements based on the human body are great to know. No measuring tape needed. You always have them with you and if you know your measurements, you can be surprisingly accurate.
I busted up a 42" log with my saw and wedges that was in my yard. It was a lot of work. And to be honest, I have access to more wood that I can handle and I can put my efforts into processing that. Now if that beast was in my yard, I would be out there worrying it to death before I cried uncle.
I busted up a 42" log with my saw and wedges that was in my yard. It was a lot of work. And to be honest, I have access to more wood that I can handle and I can put my efforts into processing that. Now if that beast was in my yard, I would be out there worrying it to death before I cried uncle.
I had the same reaction as you did Someone, probably with not enough hardware, tried to take a whack at it and gave up. It's been down for three months or so, and the "free wood" sign just went up last week. Like you, I would tackle it if it were in my yard. My eldest son has bought a new house and is having several large cherry and other trees taken down. He will have them cut into 18" lengths and then he and I will split them. Should give us both plenty of wood to last for awhile, so I don't have a pressing need to tackle this particular tree. Still, it does keep tempting me every time I drive by.......
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