Sweet gum?

[NCFord]

Sweetgum will rot very quickly. I had some sitting in rounds this past summer for maybe 6 months 14-16 " dia. and it was just starting to get punky when I finally got around to spilting it.
I hate it too, but if I have to cut it down and move it anyway I might as well burn it.

 

[dougand3]

Sweet gum, oh sweet gum,
You are not my chum,
When I try to split you,
My back needs profen of ibu.

My 2 doors down neighbor had 3 60‘ sweet gums dropped. He rolled them to the street. This is ~ 1/6 of the rounds. But people are coming with pickups and trailers and getting it. I took a 6“ round back - thinking “maybe gum has changed - this could split easily” NOPE! It laughed at my maul.

 

[Paulywalnut]

I rather burn rolled up newspaper, although I do hate willow more.

 

[Rebelduckman]

Sweetgum will rot very quickly. I had some sitting in rounds this past summer for maybe 6 months 14-16 " dia. and it was just starting to get punky when I finally got around to spilting it.
I hate it too, but if I have to cut it down and move it anyway I might as well burn it.

The cutting down and moving it isn't a problem. The problem is you've got to split it to burn it and that's most of the work with that crap. I cussed like a sailer that one and only time I'll ever fool with it again

 

[Rebelduckman]

I just walked out and snapped a couple of pics. I guess he could have Sweetgum there, but I have my doubts. But yeah, "hard to split" says something....
Hey, DixieDuck, did you see any of those spiny balls on the ground?

(broken image removed) (broken image removed) (broken image removed)

Yea I went back and looked. It's no doubt now. The embarrassing thing is I kinda thought it was soft maple! I'm still kinda new to wood burning though but I'm getting better. All I ever used to cut was red and pin oak as a kid when we had a fireplace. That's all the old man cut and I didn't ask questions

 

[smokedragon]

NOPE! It laughed at my maul.

+100000000

 

[Woody Stover]

All I ever used to cut was red and pin oak as a kid when we had a fireplace. That's all the old man cut and I didn't ask questions

A lot of people that burn wood, maybe not for primary heat, all they know is Oak is supposed to be good wood. That's pretty much all I went after for a long time because it was plentiful and close to the house. Then I started reading here, got a quad and trailer, now I'm going after many types of wood that are out there, especially since most dry faster than Oak. I may leave the Sweetgum be, though.

 

[Rebelduckman]

A lot of people that burn wood, maybe not for primary heat, all they know is Oak is supposed to be good wood. That's pretty much all I went after for a long time because it was plentiful and close to the house. Then I started reading here, got a quad and trailer, now I'm going after many types of wood that are out there, especially since most dry faster than Oak. I may leave the Sweetgum be, though.

I second that. I've learned a lot here as well. Wish I would've found this place before I got my stove cause I wouldn't be undersized now and having to upscale. I didn't factor in the leaky old uninsulated house. Guess it's all part of learning though.

 

[Rebelduckman]

I didn't realize how many different types of wood we had around these parts. I quickly realized that 6 months old oak wasn't seasoned like most around here think. Most are open fireplace burners though. That's why I'm cutting a ton of maple, cherry, beech, etc. maple and cherry are very plentiful here, along with all Oaks of course. I should be in good shape the rest of my life. Got 100 acres full of it

 

[Woody Stover]

I quickly realized that 6 months old oak wasn't seasoned like most around here think. Most are open fireplace burners though.

Yeah, that's the problem with the casual burners. Oak is great wood....if it's dry. It's been responsible for many a chimney fire, no doubt. I didn't catch on as quickly as you did, I guess. I struggled trying to burn wet Red/Black Oak for years. Once in a while I'd get some White Ash, and with my standard drying time of six months or less, I said "Hey, this stuff is lighting a lot easier." I knew in the back of my mind that I needed to get my wood stacked earlier, but it wasn't until I started coming here that I got fired up about getting ahead. I ain't goin' back now; Dry wood is the only way to burn!

 

[dougand3]

And those casual burners gunk up their chimney with wet oak, then throw dry pine in and get hot fire, then blame pine for the chimney fire.
Woody, you near Sellersburg? I went to a funeral there recently.

 

[Rebelduckman]

I knew in the back of my mind that I needed to get my wood stacked earlier, but it wasn't until I started coming here that I got fired up about getting ahead. I ain't goin' back now; Dry wood is the only way to burn! [/quote]

Yea I'm pretty fired up as well! That's all I've been doing in my spare time. It's work but it's enjoyable and realaxing to me. The wife gripes about it but she'll be thinking me next winter

 

[Woody Stover]

Woody, you near Sellersburg? I went to a funeral there recently.

It's about 90 mi.

The wife gripes about it but....

....but they sure like being warm!

 

[Rebelduckman]

It's about 90 mi.
....but they sure like being warm!

It's about 90 mi.
....but they sure like being warm!

yes they do!