I took advantage of the firm ground this am and got back to a stash of BL I've had maturing for about a year. Bark falling off just how I like. I tossed an easy load and took it to the PA about 10 minutes away. The next load was the bigger stuff, so I grabbed the sotz to half them in place but without a solid base to split on, it wasn't going my way. A half load which I then topped off with some hickory I had been meaning to get up to the house.
In keeping with the title of the thread, this may be the biggest BL I've worked and this one is definitely the biggest round of anything that I've lifted solo. Not advisable, but BL mania drives us to engage in risk taking behavior.
Barkless black locust with hickory to boot, excellent Looks like it was a lot of work cutting in that area, and not easily accessible during the growing season. Brambles, prickers and vines look hella thick.
Yeah it’s a brushy hell back there and it only gets worse as big trees are removed. Between the ash dying off and losing some big locust to the wind, briars and vines are taking over. I have all I can do to keep the trails open, that GI machete in the pics has seen more action than both my saws combined. This is on the family property, three generations and counting so it’s a labor of love. Sometimes I feel like a one legged man in an azz kicking contest but it’s worth it to have this oasis in an otherwise overcrowded area. Plus, BL baby!
I like BL, but I love BBL. that’s bald black locust. I always leave BL rounds out in the elements for at least a year to let the bark loosen then knock it off when loading. This serves multiple purposes. The wood is beginning to season and when I get it home there is none off that thick bark taking up space in the stacks. Plus, the characteristic pizz on the campfire smell of locust comes mainly from the bark.
What was the diameter of that big round rotorburn? My days of lifting big rounds are over. Either split or noodle into sections to load. Awesome score! Love me barkless BL
