Productive day with the husqvarna

[suprz]

We had a tree in the backyard amongst alot of bramble, etc. go down during hurricane Irene so i figured i would go out and see it i could get to it. I grabbed some cutters, the chainsaw, and a machette and headed out. Well, it was not an oak like i thought, it was a black locust! A big one too! The base was 20 inches around. I got what i could for today but there is about 20ft left of the trunk that i still have to work my way through. Here are the pics to prove it....

 

[PapaDave]

You have spaghetti growing all over your BL!
Nice job, but what a pain to cut through all that.
Did you have "helpers" sitting in the chairs, or was one for you. I should do that.

 

[Dairyman]

Does stacking on chairs help it dry? Sweet score!

 

[certified106]

Nice job! That looks like a real mess getting through all the vines!

 

[suprz]

You have spaghetti growing all over your BL!
Nice job, but what a pain to cut through all that.
Did you have "helpers" sitting in the chairs, or was one for you. I should do that.

The chair was for me, but my wife was actually out there helping me split some of it, she was sitting on a milk crate. I will tell ya that splitting that stuff with a small fiskars hatchet and a hammer is not easy...

 

[suprz]

Does stacking on chairs help it dry? Sweet score!

Well...to be honest the area where i want to put my woodpile isnt ready yet, and i just wanted to keep it off the ground...

 

[WellSeasoned]

I would have used a lazyboy. Nice pics, good score.

 

[suprz]

This tree has been down for at least a year...how long should it season?

 

[WellSeasoned]

Once split and stacked, I'd say a year, but if you have a mm, that could clue you in possibly sooner.

 

[midwestcoast]

Some nice wood there for sure, although it looks like a bit of work to get to it...

Are you pounding the hatchet through with a hammer? If so, stop that. The hatchet isn't made to be struck with a hammer & sooner or later a chunk will fly off the hatchet or hammer with enough force to really hurt somebody.
Please go buy or borrow a full-sized splitting axe or maul and if needed, 2 or 3 splitting wedges (can be driven by the maul or a sledge, but not an axe). Even a regular chopping axe will save you much effort and a possible trip to the ER.

Btw splitting rounds by just swinging a hatchet is dangerous too. The handle is too short so when you miss or hit a glancing blow the hatchet head continues on into your leg instead of hitting the ground like a maul or axe head should do.

 

[PapaDave]

how long should it season

I think you should let it DRY until it's DRY.
Somewhere south of 20% moisture content should do nicely.

 

[tcassavaugh]

southern maryland is full of coastal underbrush, vines and brambles. i hate it. i've had some vines on the property 3-4 inches round that go up and literally suck the life out of big trees. i sever those that i see while out working or cutting and wait till they die and pull them from the tree......if i can.

cass

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Suprz, I really do not want to pick or find fault but if you look closely at this particular cut, it should set off a flag for you.

 

[bogydave]

Premium BTU score.
CSS a year would be good.
But if it's "what you got", It'll burn
Locust is a pretty dry wood to start with.

 

[suprz]

Suprz, I really do not want to pick or find fault but if you look closely at this particular cut, it should set off a flag for you.

View attachment 79952

No offense taken, I am a rookie lumberjack and wood burner. Other than the holes in the trunk and the fact that when i made that cut, my saw got stuck...(oops) that shot shows a piece missing that i cut out of the trunk. What should i be seeing?

 

[albert1029]

I agree with WellSeasoned...moisture meter, may be ready before you think...

 

[Halligan]

Possible poison Ivy? Possible nail(s) in trunk? How it looks like the trunk was under load when cut causing bark to tear from tree (OP stated bar got stuck)? I too am a rookie from R.I. and I'm awaiting the reason from Backwoods Savage (wicked smott guy) (RI humor).

 

[Backwoods Savage]

No offense taken, I am a rookie lumberjack and wood burner. Other than the holes in the trunk and the fact that when i made that cut, my saw got stuck...(oops) that shot shows a piece missing that i cut out of the trunk. What should i be seeing?

Look how crooked the cut is. The cut should be straight down through the log. Time for a good filing for sure. Maybe even check the bar.

 

[hilbiliarkiboi]

Spiral gyre.

 

[Halligan]

Look how crooked the cut is. The cut should be straight down through the log. Time for a good filing for sure. Maybe even check the bar.

Huh, I never even thought of looking at the actual cut. Oh well, a rookie I am as well.

 

[suprz]

Look how crooked the cut is. The cut should be straight down through the log. Time for a good filing for sure. Maybe even check the bar.

Well, it is a new chain, and it only had 10 cuts on it from that morning, the bar is original so could be part of it, but i am leaning more toward rookie mistake.....:-(