It never hurts to ask! By the way...

[agz124]

I was working out back today and heard 2 saws buzzing in the neighborhood. I walked a block and found a tree cutting company cutting down 5 red oaks. I asked the workers if the wood was accounted for and they said, " The owner of house is out back cutting it up so I guess he is keeping it." I decided to walk around back and ask and sure enough he was cutting it but had more than he needed as he just has an occasional fireplace fire. I told him I heat with wood and would love some red oak. He said he would happy to give it to me and even loaded the rounds on my trailer with his tractor! I will going back tomorrow and the next day for more.

My question for you guys (and ladies?)-

Will split red oak season in 14 months if it is stacked on 4x4 pallets as opposed to traditional rows? I am running out room in the yard for wood so I thought I could save some space and fill pallets 4x4x4 and rap with chicken wire. I figure if I fill up 10 pallets that is about 5 cords and that should get me through a winter here is south-central PA. I have a Quad 4300 and max log length is 20" so I have been cutting logs to about 18-19 inches. I guess that would make it tough to fill up a 4x4 pallet neatly.....?

Thanks

 

[Carl]

Yep, it never hurts to ask. You now have some very nice wood for next years burning season. It should dry in 14 months easily if you get it split now so it has this summer and next. Way to go and happy burning.

 

[Dix]

I'd give the home owner a $100 gift certificate to a local steak/vegeterian house.

And be ready for a call when he takes down more trees

 

[OldHickory]

What a sweet deal! After I follow the sound of chainsaws, I usually end up finding silver maple at the end of the rainbow. Most of my pile is silver maple with only an occasional red oak or other quality BTU wood.
I agree about asking. Sometimes the homeowners change their mind when those early claims don't show up promptly to pickup THEIR wood. Spring before last, I picked up the cut limbs (3-6" dia) of red maple someone had already cut but never loaded to haul off. I got two loads on my 4x6 trailer & didn't even have to cut or split it because they just left it lying too long for the homeowner! About a week or so later, whoever cut that stuff had been at work again, but he didn't leave any of it lying around!

 

[backpack09]

Good score.

But red oak can take as long as 2 years to season when properly stacked, longer if not given enough space.

 

[burntime]

If you split it by say september it should be ready next year if in the sun and you have a warm summer. If you do not have full sun then iffy.

 

[Highbeam]

If you plan to use wire to hlod the wood on the pallet then you have the option of being creative with your stacking method in order to maximize the pallet utilization rate. Stack it all vertically for example.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I agree you should do something very nice for that neighbor. First, try to find out his likes. What would please him! Maybe it is a gift certificate. For example: Is he a hunter? Gift certificate to Cabela. Does he and his wife like to dine out? Gift certificate to a very nice resturant. etc., etc. Show him your appreciation and count your blessings! Great score.

 

[Redox]

I'm jealous! I have all this years wood ready to go, but I want to get a start on next year and it's getting late. I'm hoping for a productive hurricane season to get caught up.

I have burned 1yo oak in the Quad and there is definitely a difference. You should be okay, but get it split ASAP and get'r stacked. Maybe leaving a hole in the middle of the stack will help?

Chris

 

[northwinds]

I gave it a try today. There are two local tree services, and one was just a few blocks away taking down some nice oaks. Must
have been two cords in big sections on the back of a big truck. First, I tried the "free route". Then I tried the "how about $100"?
Neither one worked. The owner has an outdoor woodburning furnace and lots of relatives and neighbors with wood burners. They
said they'd keep me in mind, but I felt the ol' brush-off.

The other tree service sells firewood, so I think I'm out of luck for easy drop-off at my house. Didn't hurt to ask though

 

[agz124]

I think I got lucky because the home owner asked the tree service to just fell the trees (not cut them up). The the homeowner planned on keeping it all but got tired of cutting 2.5' diameter red oak. BTW, I will be giving the family a gift of thanks. As for stacking tight on pallets.... I think I am just going to split it all now and pile it up until I bring this winter's wood down to the porch, then I will stack all the oak and let it sit for 2 years as I don't get great sun or wind in my stacking location. I also scored a white birch (that I helped cut down and we only broke a fence in 1 spot and that stuff is awful to split, it is so stringy! Thanks for all of your suggestions.

AZ

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Your plans sounds good.

Are you sure that is white birch you got? I've split a lot of it and it is not stringy. Also, if it is white birch, that stuff seasons fast.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

I've also never had an issue splitting white birch. Grey and yellow may be a different story- less experience there.