Maple and Cherry

[Cluttermagnet]

I need to do a lot of catchup because I haven't been gathering much firewood
the past two years- and we had a colder winter this season.

Grabbed about half a van load of mostly Maple and some Cherry. The Maple
is fallen treetop from a tree dead a couple of years. It's pretty dry. I'll split it shortly
and expect to be able to burn it in the fall. The cherry is just from random
dead smaller trees. A little spring cleanup at a friend's place.

Three small rows of Maple and the back row is Cherry. Probably about 1/4 to 1/3 of a cord.
That 1 ton van will hold about 0.8 cord, stuffed to the roof.

On top of my two little 'Harry Homeowner' 16 and 18in Homelite chainsaws you can see my
14in electric from Harbor Freight. You can catch these on sale at times for 45 dollars. This
little electric has held up amazingly well so far. I'd definitely recommend these. Pretty good
value for what they are. (Usual disclaimer: no financial interest in HF, etc.)

I'll be getting some 'real' hardwood in the next week or so (Oak). I like to burn a mix of Oak
and other softer woods like Tulip Poplar, Maple, and Cherry. In the real cold weather, stove
chow is more likely to be pure Oak or Locust, though.

Next to the HF electric, the blue and yellow thingie is a large set of tongs from Northern Tool.
What attracted me to these was the reasonable price, 35 dollars, and the big grasp on the
thing- up to about 20in. Just started using it. Will report back later. I picture it being the most
useful for dragging small log length, but it will probably be a back saver in general. Too early
to say... (Again, no financial interest...) A lot of hand log tongs only have a 6in to 8in grasp.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200612322_200612322

 

[Paulywalnut]

The maple looks ready now, definately for fall. Good start.

 

[Woody Stover]

The Cherry heartwood is very rot-resistant. I've found 'em lying in the woods with all the sapwood gone, but the heart was in perfect shape. You can't burn the Oak next winter though, can you? Even on dead Oaks, I usually find that only the upper branches are dry enough for the following winter...

 

[Cluttermagnet]

No, I would give any Oak two years. Once in a while you get some dry Oak tops.
I have burned them same year, but not very often.

 

[aansorge]

That dry stuff is Elm.

 

[Cluttermagnet]

Hmmm- I suppose it could be Elm- but I don't think we have much around here. My best guess
is Maple, but the tree is dead and fell down in pieces on its own. I'm just guessing.

Here is some more wood I got recently. Every little bit helps. This is about 1/3 cord of mostly
Cherry with a couple of rounds of Southern White Pine thrown in. They were so straight
grained and free of knots I couldn't resist.

A landscaping crew had taken down several small trees for a neighbor. They were just going to
haul it away and chip it. I persuaded them to dump all the bigger stuff on my front lawn. It was
a neat little pile, and I had it all around back within a half hour for further processing. I already
have the smaller Cherry rounds split. Although I usually don't pay anything for scrounged wood,
I was moved to hand the guy a twenty. Thanked him and suggested he buy himself and his
co-workers a few beers on me. They seemed appreciative. I know I was. I mentioned that if they
were ever looking to dispose of any more wood, I'd be happy to see them again...

 

[bunfoolio]

I need to do a lot of catchup because I haven't been gathering much firewood
the past two years- and we had a colder winter this season.

Grabbed about half a van load of mostly Maple and some Cherry. The Maple
is fallen treetop from a tree dead a couple of years. It's pretty dry. I'll split it shortly
and expect to be able to burn it in the fall. The cherry is just from random
dead smaller trees. A little spring cleanup at a friend's place.

Three small rows of Maple and the back row is Cherry. Probably about 1/4 to 1/3 of a cord.
That 1 ton van will hold about 0.8 cord, stuffed to the roof.

On top of my two little 'Harry Homeowner' 16 and 18in Homelite chainsaws you can see my
14in electric from Harbor Freight. You can catch these on sale at times for 45 dollars. This
little electric has held up amazingly well so far. I'd definitely recommend these. Pretty good
value for what they are. (Usual disclaimer: no financial interest in HF, etc.)

I'll be getting some 'real' hardwood in the next week or so (Oak). I like to burn a mix of Oak
and other softer woods like Tulip Poplar, Maple, and Cherry. In the real cold weather, stove
chow is more likely to be pure Oak or Locust, though.

Next to the HF electric, the blue and yellow thingie is a large set of tongs from Northern Tool.
What attracted me to these was the reasonable price, 35 dollars, and the big grasp on the
thing- up to about 20in. Just started using it. Will report back later. I picture it being the most
useful for dragging small log length, but it will probably be a back saver in general. Too early
to say... (Again, no financial interest...) A lot of hand log tongs only have a 6in to 8in grasp.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200612322_200612322

I just Picked up that little Electric Homelite chainsaw and it does work well. It did not like cutting black locust much but it got the job done.

 

[Cluttermagnet]

I'm certainly not sorry I got mine. Does an amazing job for what it is.
Yeah, I bet it labored a bit to cut through Locust. But it would.
I use mine quite often on Red Oak, and it can handle it. For right
around the house, it's a lot easier to get it out vs. the gas saws.
OTOH for any serious size or quantity of logs, it's the gas saws
every time.

 

[Woody Stover]

My BIL has the Harbor Freight electric. It works OK but is a bit loud. Maybe the Homelite is more quiet?

 

[Cluttermagnet]

Don't know about that- both my Homelites are conventional gas operated saws.
The HF is the only electric I have any experience with so far.