Time to dry Black Locust Rounds

[Waulie]

My BIL has a bunch of small black locust that he wants removed. Normally, I wouldn't even consider it since I still have a ton of wood to cut on my own property. But, I'm thinking of grabbing a couple truck loads full next spring because it's supposed to be great firewood and at the size he has (up to about 5 or 6" diameter), I'm thinking it will be real easy because I won't even have to split!

The question is where to put it in my rotation. I'm thinking of saving a spot for it which would put it in the mix for 2015/16. Would locust rounds staked in double rows be good in a year and a half?

 

[osagebow]

That small, should be ok by then.

 

[Waulie]

Cool. Thanks!

 

[Backwoods Savage]

My BIL has a bunch of small black locust that he wants removed. Normally, I wouldn't even consider it since I still have a ton of wood to cut on my own property. But, I'm thinking of grabbing a couple truck loads full next spring because it's supposed to be great firewood and at the size he has (up to about 5 or 6" diameter), I'm thinking it will be real easy because I won't even have to split!

The question is where to put it in my rotation. I'm thinking of saving a spot for it which would put it in the mix for 2015/16. Would locust rounds staked in double rows be good in a year and a half?

Waulie, one key here is that it sounds as if the wood is not yet cut. So that would mean you plan on cutting it in the spring of 2014. I'm not sure it would be ready for the following year but it might. I'd much rather say the 2016-2017 burning season would be about right. It might prove interesting to see what results you get with this. Oh, I would not pass it up either!

 

[blades]

Still going to need to split it. Like White Oak it doesn't like to give up what its got. Might not have to if the bark is off.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

I think your definitely going to have to split it....

 

[adrpga498]

Locust doesn't light off very easily unless really dry. Especially in the round . I would wack it in half to be on the safe side.

 

[Phoenix Hatchling]

Just got this today... Cut and split this morning, from trees which have been down for --- ready for this --- 25 YEARS

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

View attachment 119090 Just got this today... Cut and split this morning, from trees which have been down for --- ready for this --- 25 YEARS

View attachment 119089

Any idea on the MC of that 25 yo?

 

[Phoenix Hatchling]

Any idea on the MC of that 25 yo?

Not yet, but I threw a couple pieces in the stove and they torched right up, and burned long and hot! I need to get a meter for the future anyhow, and I will report back when I do.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

Great thanks...

 

[Paulywalnut]

From experience only I split even small 5 inch rounds. They hold dampness forever. The bark might fall off in the first year
but its not nearly seasoned yet.

 

[Waulie]

Thanks everyone! I might just skip it if I have to split them. It's not that I really mind, but with so much dead ash on my property to deal with, it's hard to justify spending a bunch of time getting wood elsewhere.

I wouldn't need to burn it in the 2015/2016 season. I could burn it whenever, but if I was going to burn it 2015/2016 I would save a spot for it. I guess I won't and if I do end up getting some, I'll just put it at the end of the line.

 

[oldspark]

BL has a low mointure content and cutting the rounds a little shorter will help, if stacked in single rows in the wind and sun I dont think it will be a problem but YRMV.

 

[Mr A]

Not yet, but I threw a couple pieces in the stove and they torched right up, and burned long and hot! I need to get a meter for the future anyhow, and I will report back when I do.

Is that oak, it has a dry oak color, I have a creek nearby, with many fallen oaks of similar color. Stuff is bone dry, barkless, and full of bugs,. but it isn't rotten. Whole trunks.

 

[Phoenix Hatchling]

Is that oak, it has a dry oak color, I have a creek nearby, with many fallen oaks of similar color. Stuff is bone dry, barkless, and full of bugs,. but it isn't rotten. Whole trunks.

No, it's all black locust. The pic doesn't portray the coloring well which is yellow green, and a few (very few) of the pieces still have the telltale bark on them. Pretty amazing they still are in that shape after 25 years!

 

[Mr A]

I really don't see the usefulness of a MM for firewood other than curiosity. Clanking few pieces together that sound like baseball bats tells the story it is seasoned. That, and it burns good. For myself, learning to recognize seasoned wood is better than a MM

 

[oldspark]

I really don't see the usefulness of a MM for firewood other than curiosity. Clanking few pieces together that sound like baseball bats tells the story it is seasoned. That, and it burns good. For myself, learning to recognize seasoned wood is better than a MM

Its for the new people and the ones that have limited storage space and especially those who buy wood, I have had wet pieces of wood that sounded like baseball bats (just the other day) , not sure why you think thats fool proof.
Just another tool for some who need guidelines.

 

[Mr A]

not sure why you think thats fool proof.

The flames tell me it is true.

 

[oldspark]

The flames tell me it is true.

For sure but I just cut some silver maple that sounded like Louiville Sluggers that was fresh cut, I aint sticking that in the fire to see how well it burns.
MM's are a great tool for many, we preach dry wood but think they are silly.

 

[Flatbedford]

Black Locust is far better firewood than Ash. I'd grab it and let some of the Ash rot of you have to. I'd also split those rounds at least in half. BL rounds, even smaller ones could be tough to get burning unless they are added to a super hot bed of coals or mixed with some of your Ash. I have resplit lots of my Black Locust splits after being very frustrated by long restarts, when trying to get out of the house and get to work on time.

 

[Waulie]

Black Locust is far better firewood than Ash. I'd grab it and let some of the Ash rot of you have to. I'd also split those rounds at least in half. BL rounds, even smaller ones could be tough to get burning unless they are added to a super hot bed of coals or mixed with some of your Ash. I have resplit lots of my Black Locust splits after being very frustrated by long restarts, when trying to get out of the house and get to work on time.

Thanks for perspective! Yeah, you're right. I need to get some. I'll just work a little more though, because no way am I letting ash rot that's right here for the taking.

 

[Mr A]

For sure but I just cut some silver maple that sounded like Louiville Sluggers that was fresh cut, I aint sticking that in the fire to see how well it burns.
MM's are a great tool for many, we preach dry wood but think they are silly.

Very strange anomaly.

 

[oldspark]

Very strange anomaly.

Not the first time I have had that and others have reported the same, not sure if it is the type of wood or what.