Oak rotted out in center

[metalfingers]

My neighbor had a big oak branch fall, as I was cutting it up the closer I got to the trunk the more it was rotted out in the center. I think most of what looks fine will make good firewood, my question is - how good is the outer part of these logs? Is it still worth splitting and burning the part closer to the bark?

 

[WoodyIsGoody]

Definitely, as long as it's properly seasoned it will burn great. I would make sure it's covered from rain/snow.

 

[FaithfulWoodsman]

Good wood is good wood. As long as you keep it dry as stated it won't decompose anymore and be fine. I have a good deal of oak like that.

 

[Jeffm1]

My neighbor had a big oak branch fall, as I was cutting it up the closer I got to the trunk the more it was rotted out in the center. I think most of what looks fine will make good firewood, my question is - how good is the outer part of these logs? Is it still worth splitting and burning the part closer to the bark?

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Burn it all! After burning pine for a year and then getting some oak my second year I would prefer even punky oak as long as it's truly dry over fast burning pine. Even the dry punky stuff burns longer than the pine which I am surrounded by.

 

[Tar12]

It will be fine! I love to get oak like that ! splits easy and burns as well as anything else!

 

[metrowlogger]

The only thing to do with wood like is to .... burn it

 

[maple1]

Yes.

I get into sugar maple like that sometimes - I just split it up, give the questionable splits a couple good whacks on the foot of the splitter to dislodge the really punky stuff, then carry on.

 

[CentralVAWoodHeat]

That looks like great firewood to me. I took down a standing dead red oak this winter that yielded almost 2.5 cords. I'd estimate that 3/4 of the wood looked like the example in your pictures. It is currently split and stacked in single rows exposed to the elements. In a year I will put it in a covered rack, and then burn it the following year.

 

[aussiedog3]

Those hollow logs are fun to save for an outdoor campfire, acts like a chimney up thru the center.
Trust me. Try it.

 

[metalfingers]

K guys, thanks. It will be split and burned

 

[saewoody]

Plus it makes you look really strong to people passing by when they see you lift that huge round (that they don't know is partly hollow)!


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