Ahhh, the ever elusive black locust. Went to chat with a homeowner today who’s CL ad claimed he had some massive oak trees to get rid of. I was only interested if they were white. Had an idea of a timber driveway. Yep I’m whacked. They were red and not the greatest lumber trees although they were large. BUT,,,,on the other end of his street I couldn’t help but notice three or four BL that had blown down in the storm. On my way back I had to take a closer look. The pic is of the ones near the road. Not sure if I’d be brave enough to pull that leaner down. One wrong move and it could fall into the power lines. Looking around a bit the other side of the road is state forest,,,,but once again some nice big healthy black locust in it. Then I noticed the house with the leaner again. If you look close at the pic you’ll see some horizontal branches in the distance. That’s another three or four larger black locust that came down in the back yard. Right across the top of the raised swimming pool and deck, Ouch Was t about to get nosey enough to look up close. Thinking I may contact this homeowner and see if we can help each other out a bit. Always need a project. If nothing else I finally found a neighborhood that is pervasive with BL.
You CT guys turning up your noses at Red Oak Meanwhile I can't even get a sniff of this elusive Black Locust tree....not even a whiff
Don’t blame me Brad started it I have a plethora of red oak sitting in the processing area and ten times more waiting to be brought In from my property. I was looking for white to make big timbers. But yeah there’s red oak all over the roads around here and I drive right by. Locust must be hunted. Wasn’t long ago I had no idea it even existed
I know of a few fine specimens, but alas they are another mans to enjoy. I can only admire from afar.
It isnt the most pleasant smelling wood. The cambium layer wreaks once it starts to deteriorate. Give it time, the wood gods will send one your way.
I see that new FHC phone app "black locust locator" is working well for you Joe. Time to start knocking on some doors. Locust mani baby...gotta love it! Did some locust scouting myself today. Didnt find anything like you did, but a couple prior (and on pause) areas have more down. Even the one i cut some two Sundays ago. Aaaaand yes i will take the blame for our lack of love for red oak. You should see the tornado areas. Red oak over the place. I need Viagra to get excited over red oak now. I fertilized an Eastern white pine with Viagra and its now a white oak!
Youre the one who mentioned to me about it when i first joined FHC. That score you got in Windsor or thereabouts from CL/FBM. Now look at us...a couple locust maniacs!
Thats some funny stuff there Brad,,,,well except for the pine. Gonna get sap all over your FHC member(ship) Wonder if that’s how they coined the phrase “sticky wicket”? Gotta say I was in awe. This entire area, mostly subdivisions was at least 50% locust trees. Looks like it was a massive farm at one time that got turned into houses. I’ll have to drop a letter in the mailbox or knock if it seems someone’s home. The weather is beginning to get nice. Time to come out of the house again If nothing else next time we get a storm I’ll know to drag the trailer and saws in that direction to help clear roads LOL
Sounds OK to me. Supposedly burns hotter. Seasons faster and it has unique shapes for milling. And some of it has a deep reddish brown patina when it ages. Wish I knew how to determine which logs would change color like that. Would make some sweet woodworking projects. But as Brad mentioned it can be stinky and slimy as I’m sure your aware.
My father and I got permission to cut from a very large subdivision. He makes log piles for us with his excavator. It’s 98 percent Red Oaks. We’ve been twice so far, between both events we probably took home around 25 cords. The Black Locusts I have seen have been at my work about 40 miles from my house. They are all standing and doing well in people’s yards though.
I went by one area i was grabbing smaller dead BL and saw another tree downed plus a top. BL grove with mostly smaller (12" or less) trees. Theres a grassy patch next to the road so i can pull off and park. Grass had overgrown since the Spring. Town mustve recently cut it so i stopped for a couple minutes. Drive by it all the time 5 minutes from home. Its town open space land so good to cut. Problem is i have to buck 4' sections and schlep it out. Not too bad but a PITA. Some 100' in. Lots there.
Regarding BL, you should plan on burning it with other types of wood. By itself, it burns rather UNremarcably.
Gettin a little splittin done today. This is the load from Bristol. Gotta get the processing area cleaned up to make room for more,,,,,,of whatever. Couple big maples and an oak came down in the woods. Hoping it’s sugar maple. Should be the maple syrup guy had them tapped . You know me they all look the same to me. Not sure if they tap softer maple too. Nice trees tho. Forest trees with long trunks and not so many crotches and branches compared to yard trees. And then there’s all the ash I’m finding in that area.
I’ve only burned one stove full by itself. Safe to say it wasnt seasoned well. It seemed to me it didn’t burn crazy hot but,,,,once it began coaling if felt hotter than normal. Almost like the coaling stage is really when it kicks out the heat. Maybe just a coincidence or wishful thinking. The soapstone seems to play tricks like that too. On a cold start the thermometer may be high but the body of the stove (stone) takes much longer to get up to temp. I’m fond of saying the first load is to heat the stove. The second load heats the house.
Nice day for it Joe. Split that locust! Hope youre not lifting the bigguns without help! Ive gotten to the point ill half anything 16" or bigger to load the PU. My last load of locust i forgot the axes. Had a wedge with me and used the "little" 4lb masons sledge to pound the wedge in. Couldve lifted em but halfing makes more room in the PU. Took a while but worked. Ill take tennis elbow over herniated discs!
Just taking a little water break. And I thought they were all a decent length but some are a little long. Back home to grab the saw and a ruler. The womensk are still clamoring for BL locust cookies to put in the gardens for stepping blocks.
