Silver maple

[Osagebndr]

I got to lookin a couple months ago at a maple tree in our front yard. It has been hit by lightning three times and the base was getting pretty nasty( you could see thru it) and decided to drop it. It was close to the road and some power lines and I could see it taking out the lines or a car . I took some pics of the rounds a
cord that I started from it. So far i have split a full cord of wood and still have a little more to go.

 

[Osagebndr]

Here's some pics . Don't know why they are side ways

 

[Woody Stover]

Should be really good in about two years, might be passable if you need it next winter.... I'll have about a cord of two-year Red and Silver(including this summer,) and about 1/2 of fresh Silver to get this spring. Hoping we get a better drying year; Some of the soft Maple that I split kind of big didn't quite get dry last summer.

 

[macattack_ga]

It dries out fast, is light when dried and burns hot, but fast.
I thought it made pretty good coals too. Real good for getting a fire stared and then tossing in some not quite seasoned stuff on top of it if that's what you needed to do.

 

[bigbarf48]

Nice job. I like silver maple, pretty easy to split, and dries quick. Dries light though. Give it a year or two and itll be very nice firewood

 

[Jags]

I gave them a little push:

 

[midwestcoast]

One of the most common yard trees in my neighborhood and most are well over 50 years old, so plenty are coming down. Not the best choice for yard trees IMO (unless you're a tree trimmer…) but it's a shame to see them go.
I haven't gone a season in this house without burning some. I like it for the drying time & quick starts.
So far I've had one with a rotted base taken out of my front yard, another in the back yard broke off about 12' up and now I need a third taken out due to rot from improper trimming (overhanging the house). That'll still leave 3 of decent size on my 1/3'rd acre.

 

[Osagebndr]

My neighbor has one that's on it's way to losing some very big limbs. He said I could have them it's a big ol tree too. I also got three sassafras I got to get down due to them dying out and losing all they're branches( typical )

 

[Osagebndr]

Howd you do that. its been makin me nuts.

I gave them a little push:
View attachment 131418 View attachment 131419

 

[Jags]

Howd you do that. its been makin me nuts.

I took your pics, saved them to my computer and used a program to simply turn them. Windowz picture viewer and a whole pile of freeware programs can do it.

 

[Osagebndr]

Rite on. I'm still a caveman, split all that with an 8# maul. Need to try a fiskars and see what's that's all about

 

[Corey]

With that many strikes, you might consider replacing the tree with a lightnin' rod! Definitely take a look around to see what the next tallest object is. ...that will likely be the one which gets hit now. If it's another tree, you might be OK, but if it's the house, barn, etc might be bad news now that the old silver maple protection is gone.

 

[bigbarf48]

If youre taking the pics with a phone, do it with the phone sideways and theyll show up the right way on here

 

[Osagebndr]

Ill do that bigbarf48 thanks. I got so many trees around the place and most are real tall ( 80-100 ft.) it's hard telling which one is next

 

[bigbarf48]

Ill do that bigbarf48 thanks. I got so many trees around the place and most are real tall ( 80-100 ft.) it's hard telling which one is next

What species do you have up there?

 

[Osagebndr]

Lets see here , ash , poplar, red, white , and black oak, pine, red and white elm , black locust , cherry , apple, etc.

 

[midwestcoast]

Lets see here , ash , poplar, red, white , and black oak, pine, red and white elm , black locust , cherry , apple, etc.

Sorry to say, but I'd say the ash is next : (broken link removed to http://www.in.gov/dnr/entomolo/files/ep-EABstate.pdf)
You're surrounded.

 

[Osagebndr]

I got another elm that's showing signs of Dutch elm disease. Couple years and it'll be whether I like it or not. Puts out the morels tho

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I'm not so sure that is silver maple.

 

[Osagebndr]

It's maple. Inside didn't look like hard maple tho the bark did. This is what I ended up with a full cord +

 

[bigbarf48]

I'm not so sure that is silver maple.

I didnt think so at first either, but figured it mightve been cause its wet

 

[Osagebndr]

Could be soft maple. Go figure

 

[bigbarf48]

Could be soft maple. Go figure

Got any closer shots of a few splits?

 

[Osagebndr]

Ill get some tommorrow. It's too dark rite now

 

[osagebow]

Nice cord of maple! Should be a good morel year.