Stringy Douglass Fir

[Ski-Patroller]

In the Cascades, we burn mostly Douglass Fir and Larch. Larch always splits easily, but Doug Fir seems to be variable. The last cord I got was extremely stringy. even after splitting all the way through, a lot of time we had to pry the pieces apart to get them separated. It is reasonably dry, probably down one or two seasons. (I bought the cord, and it typically comes quartered so most pieces are less than 12" across.

Anyone have any idea why there is so much change in one species? Old Growth vs New Growth? Dryer versus wetter growing area? I would like to avoid this stuff in the future. Any other ideas, other than specifying only Larch?

 

[Tom Wallace]

I can't explain why it's different from other douglas fir you've had before. I've had good luck with splitting douglas fir, but I've only split 4 cords of it from 2 different trees. Compared to the 2 cords of plum I split recently, douglas fir is a delight to split. I do occasionally get a piece that won't split due to a knot. I have a pile of those pieces. They're small enough to put in the stove, but some are pushing the limit.

When you have to pry pieces apart, it might be easier with a small hatchet. When I get pieces that are split but cling together, I grab my axe near the head and strike the clingy part a couple times instead of just pulling them apart.

 

[Ski-Patroller]

We are starting to use a 5 ton electric splitter now. I am amazed at the wood this thing will split. Even wood that was difficult to split with wedges and a 12# maul fall to the 5 Ton. We just pull the stringy pieces apart, though I do have an ax (and 2 wedges and two mauls) available if needed.

Like you I have usually found DF pretty easy to split. I don't know what is different about this batch.

 

[Fifelaker]

I have found that trees that grow where they catch a lot of wind can be tough to split.

 

[Applesister]

I was just gonna say, wind exposure.
Ive tried to figure that out myself, I was wondering about time of year. But if you stand on the top of a hill on a really windy day you can see how much trees sway back and forth.
Although I split Black birch in the spring and it was worse than Elm. I was thinking it was a 'growing' issue.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

Anyone have any idea why there is so much change in one species?

As a life long Doug Fir (God's own firewood) burner, allow me to elucidate.

1) Trees on the edge of units or standing alone have more knots and are generally more exposed causing them to be tougher to split

2) Trees growing in poor soil or in poor conditions (low light) have smaller growth rings which makes them denser and often, stringyer.

3) Butt cuts are usually stringy

4) Long term leaners are often stringy

The good news is that stringy Doug Fir makes the best firewood