I was sitting in my little office working when I heard a loud KABOOM! What in the world was that? It almost sounded like machinery and they have been working down the street. I ventured out to investigate the source and found that the large tulip poplar at the upper edge of the property had fallen. We had some really high winds in the storm a few days ago but it didn't come down until today. I had noticed decay in the tree and had considered asking the state if they would drop the tree as it was possible it could fall into the roadway. Luckily today it didn't as that would not have been a good thing. It is a huge tree even though it is hard to see the size in the photos. I think there is still plenty of salvageable wood left in the tree. While tulip poplar isn't the best wood as far as BTUs, it is still wood and it dries quickly. I wish I had the Old Girl running to help haul the wood out.
Yes, it may be that the main trunk doesn't have much left; I will find out when I start cutting. I know the larger limbs are still good. It was still putting out some leaves; amazing how these things can go for a long time on borrowed time.
Tulip poplar is great firewood. Either during shoulder season, or add a few peices to a load of oak to help it take off, and you have tremendous utility in that firewood. Dries in less than a year, I've stayed warm with TP more than any other wood, for over 35 years.
You can extend your good hardwood by “cutting” it with lesser BTU wood like this so you have more for all night burns while you sleep.
Cut it up split it big and burn it. Poplar is good firewood. Kinda light wood and easy to split. Dries well in a year
That was the only tape I had; cheap one from Harbour Freight. There are people on FHC outside of the states. The tape; although you might not can tell from the photo, illustrates the dumbing down of America; it actually has the increments printed out.
I heated mostly with poplar the first year; burns clean leaving a fine white ash. There are a few huge poplar on the property that are probably sawmill quality; large diameter and tall and straight. I just don't think there is a way for them to be harvested easily so I don't see anyone coming in for them.
It has been so cold that I haven't ventured out much. Rains are moving in so I decided since it was warmer today to return to the tulip poplar that fell. I noticed buds on some of the upper part of the tree so I knew it wasn't completely dead. It was getting late when I started but I managed to buck some before it got dark. The nice thing about green tulip poplar is it is easy to cut.
