I scored a mystery log about a month ago. Posted pics here (see my thread Unknown wood. Mystree #2) and it was I.D.ed as Tupelo aka black gum. I was warned how DIFFICULT it is to hand split. I had bucked the log and put it aside to give it a try to say ive split some albeit three logs. The weapons. Isocore and Collins Todays victims Split this one a couple weeks ago with just the collins. Axe jammed in the middle and had to slam it several times and keep swinging. First log...5 good whacks with the Isocore to get this far. It split a bit on first swing, but bounced off 3-4 time opening the gap more each time. Log two same result. Collins finished them both off. Tried to split one of the halves with the Collins. Bad idea. Isocore to the rescue. I actually thought they were going to be tougher than they were. I think the wood was damper then when i tried the first log. IME when the end dries a bit and starts to check it makes it more difficult on any species. Would i take gum again? NO WAY! Thankful they werent bigger logs and i know what they look like now.
no hedge here in Southern Connecticut and ive never processed any. This ranks with elm and sycamore IME. Rare occasions ill take elm but i hand split all my wood so "easy" is important.
as much wood as you haul in and the comments of the back a few times......time to spoil yourself a bit with hydraulics..
That's what I always said about my monster mail until a herniated disc and nerve pushing against my spine had me in for treatment 4 days a week for several months.
I had disc issues arise in January. MRI end of April confirmed. No surgery or opiates. Just 800mg ibuprofen as needed. I rarely take any. Started wearing a decent back brace in March and wear it religiously. Call it my "girdle" Been going strong since. PT told me new study says rest may be bad...active better. I really havent slowed down too much work and wood wise either. I try not to go more than three consecutive hours making firewood. Once i get going im rather BTTW type. I try to be mind full and use proper lifting technique when i PU large rounds. Ill now half/quarter/sixth the big uns to load. Mine is the bottom disc bulging causing pain down my left leg.
I just scored some black gum also. It was right by the road and I didn’t realize what it was at first. I have about a third of a cord of the stuff. I was thinking about noodling them but maybe I will try the splitting maul on it. My only other experience hand splitting gum was not fun.
My experience was both memorable and forgettable! What is the diameter of yours? These were 7" and honestly the Isocore did okay just the same amount of oomph put into each swing. I though it would stick and get stuck with no separation of the grain but it did each time and bounced off with fifth time getting stuck but not too bad to wiggle it out. Noodle in half then split em??? Whats the btu's on the stuff?
My first issue was in the top of my back causing pain down my arm. Got the spine stretched out after many sessions. That is when I bought hydraulics. A couple years later lower back herniated disc causing terrible pain down my leg. Worked that out and still do a lot of exercises to help.
Brad most of mine are about your size - the biggest I think is maybe 10” diameter. I remember last time the mail just kind of sinking in and getting stuck. May resort to the sledge and wedges. Pieces that were small enough I cut into cookies. I remember decent heat during the shoulder season but no one will confuse it with oak or locust.
Yes, buZZsaw BRAD , Locust Post is right. Buy yourself a hydraulic splitter. Your body will thank you for it.
Yep, black gum, I split some awhile back just to confirm what I thought it might be (black gum) and it looked just like yours, gnarly as can be. I threw away the rest of the rounds that I had scored at the dump... took them back where I found them!
