I spotted a section of 30 trees in the National Forest that have died since last season (beetle kill). Because of the ease of access, I've been trying to jump on them before someone else gets to them. Surprisingly, in all my times in the forest, I've never come across someone else cutting. I brought my firewood dog, Aspen, who loves to lay under the truck while I fall trees and cut them into logs. 6.5 ft truck bed by 4' tall to the top of the sides. 4 rows deep of logs.
Here, I'd say 5-8 trees make a cord. The lodgepoles aren't that big so more of the cordage comes from the Ponderosas. I'm burning 8 cords a year.
Wood measured out to a full cord. It's amazing how much more wood you can get stacking in the truck bed vs. thrown in.
I am pretty sure that you are not allowed to fall a tree in my local forest. Dead and down only about a year ago when I checked. That policy may have changed with the recent massive fires that they have hosted. LOTS of standing fire killed trees around. I may check into it, even dealing with the messy black char it might be worth the effort.
Very true. My last haul i wasnt going to stack neatly as it was a warmer day, but glad i did. I like getting a full half cord load when i hoard.
I just finished stacking my last pine score. I didn't pack the trailer as carefully as I thought. I was under the impression that I had an easy cord, but stacked, I bet I barely make a cord. That or my wood shrank.
Here in Wyoming all you have to do is to go to the National forest and pull firewood permits and they will tell you what areas you can cut in but you can cut standing dead trees here, especially beetle kill.
No I have not gone yet. I am still waiting for the rain to stop and so that I am not dealing with any mud up in the mountains. Also there could still be some snow too. The only thing I gone for so far is some elm over in Nebraska that a friend of mine wanted cut down. Him and I went over there together cut down quite a few dead elm trees. But even over there things started to get real muddy and I had to have my truck pulled out. I think there is some clay in the ground over there because it was sure slick even with 4 wheel drive.
No the Siberian elm is pretty common around here especially with ranchers. But it is elm and it sucks to spit. I still take it when I can because it does not burn to bad. I have about 1 1/2 cord right now that is bucked up but not split yet.
The oaks and hickories I've been cutting lately have been yielding 3-5 FCs per tree. I'd rather tackle smaller stuff, but beggars can't be choosers. My right elbow is shot from mauling, so carried over 100 LB rounds over 100' to my truck today. Now my back is shot. What to do?
