Tops Of Oak Trees

[firecracker_77]

I have some large red and white oak rounds, but I also had the tree service drop some larger branches and some smaller (i.e. 7" and smaller branches). I like these little guys because you can cut them to length with no need for splitting so you can process faster. I think they may dry out a little quicker given their lower mass.

Anyone think these branches will burn a lot faster than the big rounds split to an equal size? Theoretically, they are little logs and logs seem to burn a little longer than splits in my experience. Either way, I do like these all the same for ease of handling and fast processing time.

 

[ScotO]

When I cut trees, be I oak, maple, locust, etc., I use everything from 2" and up......
That said, the pieces that you don't split (I.E. the small rounds) hold moisture better than the splits.....trust me, it's a fact. And oak tops have more sapwood than heartwood, which means that they will not burn as long as trunkwood.....that doesn't mean that the tops aren't worth getting, but green oak tops do have a lot of sapwood. I'd be spitting everything that is over 6" diameter at least once. If you don't, it's gonna take a long long time to dry out.

 

[bogydave]

+1 with Scotty
Tops of most trees have a higher percentage of sap wood , so less dense & it burns faster.
Still good wood though.

Birch here, I split everything & keep down to 3" diameter stuff.
Birch turns punky fast if not split.

 

[Mr A]

How long to season a 6" piece of top branch? I have some too and put them in the 2-3 years from now pile. I have been pulling fallen oak branches out of a nearby creek. They must have been there awhile, I split one open, it was 16%, made that nice baseball bat sound when hitting them together.

 

[firecracker_77]

How long to season a 6" piece of top branch? I have some too and put them in the 2-3 years from now pile. I have been pulling fallen oak branches out of a nearby creek. They must have been there awhile, I split one open, it was 16%, made that nice baseball bat sound when hitting them together.

16% already. i'd think about burning that this year if you needed wood. otherwise, no hurry I guess. I don't think oak gets punky too fast.

 

[firecracker_77]

All I know is after 3 hours cutting and tossing logs with my 290, i'm tired. I wish I had time to do this everyday. i'd be much stronger. I have a splitter now...I'm guessing about 10 more hours including one day with my splitter and the 3 cords I picked up will be processed. i'm doing it as I have time. it'd be nice to take a Saturday and devote the whole day before summer heat sets in. no mosquitoes today surprisingly. I may have only gotten a couple bites and the swelling goes down in a couple of hours if left alone.

 

[jeff_t]

This is a 3-4" white oak round that has been on top of a stack for two summers, about 1.5 years. The gray on it is a small crack/split about a quarter of the way thru.

That HF moisture meter reads up to 40%, I believe, then shows over limit.

 

[Mr A]

16% already. i'd think about burning that this year if you needed wood. otherwise, no hurry I guess. I don't think oak gets punky too fast.

I have some, AND, I have some pulled from the creek that was seasoned, different wood. I have already burned some of the seasoned from the creek, same day I cut it, and a have a few weeks worth left for coming season. I have 6" top branches I just cut from my own yard tree in the 2-3 years pile, and the same question.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I have some large red and white oak rounds, but I also had the tree service drop some larger branches and some smaller (i.e. 7" and smaller branches). I like these little guys because you can cut them to length with no need for splitting so you can process faster. I think they may dry out a little quicker given their lower mass.

Anyone think these branches will burn a lot faster than the big rounds split to an equal size? Theoretically, they are little logs and logs seem to burn a little longer than splits in my experience. Either way, I do like these all the same for ease of handling and fast processing time.

Good for you getting this wood for sure firecracker. However, I take a different stance on the processing. I believe I can process the larger trees or logs much, much faster than cutting those small limbs.

As for the limb wood, 3 years should do most any wood for drying.

 

[Paulywalnut]

I split everything I can hold and hit with my fiskars without hitting my gloved hand. (which I have done with
painful consequences)

 

[xman23]

Well said Scotty, it's all good. I am 4 or 5 years ahead, so don't think a lot about drying time of my oak. I love those 2 to 6 inch rounds I don't split.

 

[paul bunion]

Good for you getting this wood for sure firecracker. However, I take a different stance on the processing. I believe I can process the larger trees or logs much, much faster than cutting those small limbs.

As for the limb wood, 3 years should do most any wood for drying.

My thinking too. Getting 10 plus splits out of 20" or greater rounds add up the cords real fast. So long as you can avoid the knotty crotch pieces that those small limbs branched out from.

 

[ScotO]

Well said Scotty, it's all good. I am 4 or 5 years ahead, so don't think a lot about drying time of my oak. I love those 2 to 6 inch rounds I don't split.

yeah, me too! They sure stack up nice and tight in the stacks too! I cringe when I drive by a commercial tree service and see them feeding 4" to 6" diameter limbs into a chipper......
A lot of good firewood in them limbs IMO. Almost every morning re-start in my stove is done with those 2" to 4" maple and oak limbs....and they do the job well!

My thinking too. Getting 10 plus splits out of 20" or greater rounds add up the cords real fast. So long as you can avoid the knotty crotch pieces that those small limbs branched out from.

Naaah....the hydraulics make quick work of those rounds, too!

 

[firecracker_77]

yeah, me too! They sure stack up nice and tight in the stacks too! I cringe when I drive by a commercial tree service and see them feeding 4" to 6" diameter limbs into a chipper......
A lot of good firewood in them limbs IMO. Almost every morning re-start in my stove is done with those 2" to 4" maple and oak limbs....and they do the job well!

Naaah....the hydraulics make quick work of those rounds, too!

I have a 22 ton splitter now, but not on site. It's at the other 50% owner of that splitter's bldg. about 5 miles away. So for me, I'm going through about a 3 cord pile and separating out the large ones and the small stuff. Getting the small stuff done first and out of the way. Then, bringing the splitter in to tackle the rest...hopefully in one or 2 days.

 

[firecracker_77]

This is a 3-4" white oak round that has been on top of a stack for two summers, about 1.5 years. The gray on it is a small crack/split about a quarter of the way thru.

That HF moisture meter reads up to 40%, I believe, then shows over limit.

View attachment 104230

It really is that high still after 1.5 years. That's amazing. I would think it would be in the mid 20's.