For those of you who are not familiar with black gum and splitting it, please enjoy the pic's Some of our pacific coast brethren have a different name and I can't remember but anyone on the east coast who burns has came across this. Mind you, it's a good burning wood but splitting it requires 2 hand grenades, a bazooka, claymore mines, and some C-4. I rented this 34ton splitter to do the job…..
I split some sweet gum last year (rented a splitter as well) but it wasn't anywhere near that stringy. I've never split black gum, and after seeing those pics I don't know that I want to.
LOL, Ya gotta love that stuff!! A couple of years ago a buddy of mine called and said he had a maple tree he took down for me to burn I said I would come get it. Anyhow when I got there it was a Black Gum tree I almost left it there but went ahead and took it since he was that nice. He said well I assumed it was a maple since it had those pointy leaves. Yeah it was a bear to split!
Yea, and I have done that for the really big S#!T for the small stuff, If I have to split it, I get the splitter anymore. The old back just can't do it. Call me nuts, but I actually enjoy splitting wood by hand. It's good exersize for me, at 50+ it's the best I can do after 3 back surgeries, 2 knee surgeries a hernia, and cancer…… yup!, and I won't quit….. not to mention, still active duty! The Senior officers call me the tough old Bast@rd……
The black gum I always preferred and liked was called Black Jack. Not sure if you can even buy it any more.
I had to use a chainsaw to get my wedge out on a piece of gum tree before. After that experience I avoid it like the plague.
Yes, but Yes, but can you remember why? Oh, and can someone post a pic of Elm before it's been mangled? I'd like to avoid it at all costs.