In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

One big birch

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by Eric Wanderweg, Nov 6, 2021.

  1. Eric Wanderweg

    Eric Wanderweg

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    A few feet over my property line was a 22” DBH yellow birch threatening my house and back deck. The base was rotted badly so I talked to my neighbor about it and he gave me the go ahead. I had my tree climbing buddy come over today to help take it down (he climbed it, got the rope on it, did the face and back cut while I was at the other end of the rope pulling it with my truck :) ) It came down smooth and I’m slowly picking away at the firewood making and brush burning.
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  2. Canadian border VT

    Canadian border VT

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    That great burning wood I’ve had some big yellows here 7AD7B73F-7FCC-49AE-9287-ADB8DBDE7013.jpeg 3DFC7278-6B67-4A0D-B15C-871172654FBA.jpeg
     
  3. Chazsbetterhalf

    Chazsbetterhalf

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    Was that an old pulley wheel in that one round?
     
  4. Eric Wanderweg

    Eric Wanderweg

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    Yeah a pulley to an old clothesline that was taken down at least a decade ago
     
  5. Cash Larue

    Cash Larue

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    Awesome project!
     
  6. Eric Wanderweg

    Eric Wanderweg

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    Not much in the way of firewood making today but I did make a huge dent in incinerating all of the brush. All the limb wood will be destined for the outdoor pit, for next summer.
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  7. sirbuildalot

    sirbuildalot

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    Sounds like some fun times! That’s a big Birch for sure.
     
  8. Eric Wanderweg

    Eric Wanderweg

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    It was fun, definitely. Nice having all my tools right there when I needed them, and that I don’t have to worry about moving all that wood too far. Although I’m going to burn all of it one way or another, I’m more psyched that I’ll have one less tree to worry about coming down during a storm.
     
  9. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    Nice beach... mmmm I ment Beech... :picard:... Not many of them around here... Did cut up one in the latest Ohio GTG at walt ...
     
  10. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    Great score on wood but even better that you had someone to assist in safely felling it. Win win!
     
  11. mat60

    mat60

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    Nice work Eric.
     
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  12. amateur cutter

    amateur cutter

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    That's a nice job taking that down, I like it when you can rope & drop. That'll make some nice heat for ya! Way better than cutting it off your roof after a storm.:hair:
     
  13. Eric Wanderweg

    Eric Wanderweg

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    I’ve got to give all the credit to my good friend Matt who climbed the tree and dropped it where it needed to go. He had a tree business for years and got out of it about 5 years ago, but kept all of his climbing gear. The trunk was covered in poison ivy vines too, and although I cut them at ground level weeks ago, I’m sure they’re still potent. I had the “easy” job doing all the bull work once the tree hit the ground.
     
  14. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Nice wood and no rot. Still dont blame you for taking it down though. What i wanna know is where your truck was when it came down?
     
  15. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Burning green wood in the firepit??? :picard: Youre gonna have some creosote build up! :rofl: :lol:
     
  16. Eric Wanderweg

    Eric Wanderweg

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    The way we rigged the rope was to send it straight across the yard around a smaller yellow birch next to the pool area, then send it 90 degrees up towards the driveway where my truck was. It worked out flawlessly.
     
  17. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Gotcha. Ive seen how tree guys rig ropes and an art for sure. Years back my dad and uncles used block and tackle pulleys.
     
  18. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Did you calculate yield? At 22" should be a full cord.
     
  19. Paul bunion

    Paul bunion

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    Yellow Birch is primo firewood! Hopefully it decides to split nicely for you. Some of them can get awfully crotchety
     
  20. Eric Wanderweg

    Eric Wanderweg

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    This one was crotch free for the first 15 feet, followed by a lot of crotches. I think I'll use the splitter on the bulk of it. I'm hoping that dark brown heart wood is still mostly solid. This is the first sizable yellow birch I've scored.