First tree for new burner

[byQ]

Thats good to know about the horizontal vs. vertical splitter. Where in Idaho are you?

Hi - I'm from the Twin Falls area. You must be near Boise. I drove to Pocatello last year and picked up a cord or two of red elm rounds. Someone was giving them away, a tree service dropped it off. The trunks were monsters - at least 5 feet wide. I think the biggest width I went for was about 3 feet wide - and that was big enough.

 

[NewburnerID]

Just an update! I took everyone's advice and purchased a wood splitter. I didn't have a huge budget and read the reviews on the HF 20 ton so I bought it. After the son and I put it together, filled the fluids and let the engine have a 3 - 4 hour burn in run, it was on to splitting some Elm that had been sitting around for a year. WOW, those rounds pop open with a weird sound. And now I know what you mean by stringy!

I watched some youtube videos of the splitter before buying it and noted that most guys/gals run it around 1/2 way, only upping the rpm if the round calls for it.

I split a few rounds that were 24" or so at 1/2 RPM and she ran right through them! I have to say I really love the two directional splitting. Keeps two of us busy and can split faster than we can feed her.

Anyway, this site has been a great tool for information and advice. Thank you!