Well, the snow has melted around here, and we have had a few 40 degree days where I've been able to scrounge a few more fallen trees from the roadside. It's been great to be able to be outside and build up the reserve piles down in the lower field. These should be ready to move to the sheds up near the house in two to three years. I just love everything about hoarding firewood.
Looks really nice down there! What are your main species for hoarding where you’re at? We’ve got close to a foot of snow on the ground up here. Really pretty to look at, but not as easy to work in
I tell folks I'm from "West Carolina" and they don't even notice. I mostly find red oak, a few poplar, and some kind of silver birch. I make a point to drive the back roads after a storm, and can almost always bring home a pickup truck full. I guess it's like cruising Garage Sales on Sundays for folks in the suburbs.
Nice progress Smaug. If you store rounds in the vertical like that, they act like a sponge and suck up moisture, accelerating decay.
Thanks for commenting on that. Those rounds are on runners up off the ground, and have spaces between them so air gets in. I know they will take longer to dry out, but that's OK. I'm actually trying to stagger my cords so they last a few more years. I'm finding that I'm collecting more wood than I can burn. I guess that's a true definition of an addiction.
Yes, Mountain Laurel. Fun Fact: Mountain Laurel will 'wilt' when Temps drop below about 28 degrees. You can sort of use it as a barometer of how nice the day is becoming. In fact, on days I'm not working, I don't go out to do chores until I see the Mountain Laurel leaves perk up. Then you know it's going to ge a nice day.
I have a patch of Rhododendron in the front yard that does the same when it’s cold. I’m ready to see them blooming.
February 21st update: Yesterday I got a call from a neighbor asking me if I would come over to take down a dead tree that was in their backyard. When I got there I found a tree that was about 30ft tall and all the bark had fallen off. No problem I thought, but when I started to cut it with the 261, the saw was really having a hard time with it. I checked the chain, and it was freshly sharpened, What the heck? Anyway, it took longer to drop and cut into sections than I was expecting. But I was really surprised by how heavy this dead tree was. Even totally dry, it felt like a green red oak. So here's the log pile I brought home. I did some research and I think it's locust! Score!
I agree with Eric...black locust. Jackpot score there. Dont tell Chud Dead BL does a number on chains. Save it for the coldest days/nights. It may even be dry enough to burn now. And yes it is heavy when dry. It also has the void common in trees ive cut including the one yesterday. Pic from yesterday.
Bucked many a dead locust that looked exactly like what you have there. Many times it has a hollow section from ants, not rot. Great score.
