Got a message from a friend of mine last week saying he’s having a few trees dropped interested in the wood? I’ve scored some wood from him a few years ago when he had a few maples taken down. I’m not one to say no... especially when it’s only a 15 minute drive for me. I got most of the big maple cleared out. I still gotta tackle the trunk. He’s having another tree dropped tomorrow so I wanted to clear the maple out of the way. He claims it’s “Siberian Elm”. I’m hoping someone here can maybe help identify. The other tree that is barkless appears to be the same species as the “elm”. He has a few other large maples (not pictured) that are coming down. Looks like I’ve got my work cut out for me!!
Oh wow. I don’t know much but that one tree looks like it would make great veneer. Let’s call it lumber to keep it simple. It’s not often I see figuring like that.
One other perk is the individual that is dropping the trees is leaving them in full length. So I'm not getting a lot of shorts or odd ball lengths. The Elm tree is coming down today. I'm going to work on clearing the big Maple trunk out Saturday then move onto the elm. I might need a bigger saw...
I'm doing everything in my power to NOT call my local Stihl dealer to see what the price is on a 661 R-CM with a 28" or 32" bar out the door.
DON'T DO IT! You'll end up with CAD and its worse than covid19! I have it now! MSRP is $1299.95 for a 28" bar. Add $10 for 32" bar. Wrap handle version is $50 more. Pot stirred!
buZZsaw BRAD well I caved and called... $1150 with choice of 20" or 25" bar. I asked him "any interest in partial trade on some old homelites??"... He said he has a bunch now that he can't get rid of. If I wasn't in the middle of rebuilding my old F-150 I'd be there after work. As for the elm I'm anxious to see how it splits. My guess is just like regular elm.. Tough and stringy. I still love the stuff...
I have to confess...im going to the Stihl dealer today to buy a saw. What year F150? Ive owned three...1986, 2001, and current 2008. I work the hell out of them til they die! Not a bad thing to say about them. Being a hand splitter, I dont take elm due to the stringiness factor. Hope you have a hydro!
buZZsaw BRAD It's a 1986. I went through and rebuilt the front end, brakes and steering. Working now on building an engine for it.. Hopefully I can have it back on the road within the month. I've got hydraulic splitter that doesn't seem to be bothered by the elm.. Better question.... what saw yah buying???
That is a thing of beauty! Is that restored or did you acquire it in nice condition? Bought my 86 in 1988 from my older brother. Worked it til 2001 when i gave it to my helper. It was on the verge of death. Im replacing my little arborists saw with a Stihl 194T. New model and upgrade from the 193. I dont use it that often, but very handy when i do. I do some chain saw/tree work too.
buZZsaw BRAD I bought it in that condition. Very solid for being a NY truck. My firewood/chainsaw addiction is almost as bad as my old Ford addiction.
Update..... second big maple came down. Dad and I got 2 truck loads and a trailer out. We’re going to keep going back until it’s gone. The other tree that was believed to be a Siberian Elm was dropped. My dad is swearing it’s a species of willow. It definitely has that smell of willow. The tree cutter said it cut really easy. I think we’re going to pass on it. There’s a picture of it. Any thoughts??
That thing sure has some water in it doesn’t it? Not sure on the species, but I guess it all depends on how desperate you are for firewood.
It sort of reminds me of the catalpa i cut yesterday based on color and sapwood ring. Does the wood have the feel and grain texture of sassafras SpeedShop64 ? The only way i can describe it. Although it does have the look of oak too. Impressive load of wood BTW!
Nice score. Hope you pull the trigger on the saw! Sell your current to offset expense? Great post, looking forward to more pictures
buZZsaw BRAD I don't have any experience with sassafras. This stuff definitely has some water weight to it. We found a 4' long dead branch off of it approx. 6" in diameter and it was feather weight. While a 6" round 24" long was heavy as hell. Another thing I noticed but I didn't snap a picture of was the spacing on the growth rings. There was about a 1//4" distance between the growth rings. The thing that sticks out the most is the smell.. It has that "pulp" wood smell to it. Either way were going to pass on it.. But the big maple on the other hand.... We probably have 2 more loads (2 trucks and a trailer) to get out. That stuff is hard and dense. We are sledghammer and wedging apart everything over 20".. So pretty much the entire tree besides limb wood. I'm tackling the trunk tonight..
