Definitely, flush to the log! Definitely! Definitely! Preferably down far enough so there's no stub after the bark comes off. A lot of thought goes into this stuff. Some people might say too much.
But then a pointy end is left on the branch! Do I cut that off square and then go on cutting the branch up in firewood length chunks?
Measure from the pointy end and cut to length, +/- 1/64th". If the branch is a large one, it'll make splitting interesting.
Who are these people? Obviously they don't understand the intricacies involved with css'ing firewood!!
And some folks have the luxury of CSSing nothing but straight growing and straight grained trees!!!! Even my "straight" wood would likely be considered "uglies" by most folks here!!!!
Don't pay any attention to that. Would you notice 1/8" of an inch when the log was cut? Or 1/4". You would not even see that when you load the stove.
I've seen people using child's crayons. White chalk works well as would other colors. When I was logging, we used a simple stick cut to 4' long. Then we notched it at 2'. Measuring for log length was easy; just lay the stick on top of the log. If you want an 8', using the axe, draw a light line at the end of the 4' stick then move the stick. At the 8' mark, make a very small notch to whoever is cutting (be that you or someone else) could see where to make the cut. Naturally a 10' was easy; two 4' makes 8 then half the length of that stick (which was maked) would make 10'. For years I used this method cutting firewood and also just eyeballed it. I used to be pretty good at eyeballing but not so much any more. So, these I use. They come in a box or you can order them singly. I like the red best. On the right side is a crayon holder. I like it and it saves a lot of broken crayons. Contrary to those who have problems with wet wood, although they won't make a bright line like when dry, they will make enough mark for me to still see it. One thing I noticed through the years is that it is best to not use it as one would a pencil. That is, sort of straight up and down. I mostly sort of lay it and draw toward me. So rather than using the point, I'm more using the side of it. In the picture, if you look close you can see our marking stick. It is laying just behind and to the right of the trailer. It is a 4' stick (there are times I'll cut a 4' and then carry or drag it out) and spray painted red at both ends (easier to find, especially in snow) and also a red mark at 16" and 32". Guess I should have taken a picture of it but saw no need at the time.
I had no idea that people mark out trees to make the cuts identical. Is this common? I wonder what percentage of members do this. I certainly wouldn't put anyone down for it, it just never crossed my mind. As long as the pieces fit in the stove, I'm happy. But I must say, I admire your strive for perfection!
My box is 18 1/4" square ,I cut to 17" , when I fill my stove for a cold night , It is FULL , so If I had 14-15" pieces I wouldn't get as long of a burn time, and it does make stacking easier , and more stable . I think It is pretty common, probably why they sell things to do the marking with ,like The Mingo Firewood Marker
This is exactly the reason it's so important to me, a FULL firebox. It's hard enough playing Tetris with the splits all goofy dimensions. I'd just as soon at least have one measurement that was accurate.
This last fall, I got a couple pick-up truck loads of oak from my BIL. I know he just eyeballed the cuts. I ended up with wood everywhere from 14" up to about 22". I know I can be borderline OCD, but I like my stacks straight and even. I debated cutting them all to one length, but in the end, I stacked them with a big space in between the rows. I put the extra length into the center so the outsides looked right. I'm not sure what I'll do in a few years when it's time to stack it in the garage for the winter... Don't get me thinking about how I'll have to remeasure my markings to allow for the saw kerf..... I've got to go sit down and think this through...
I use a piece of aluminum stair nosing and a spray bomb to mark my wood. I have 3 different ones for different lengths. I usually cut the big stuff off my forks or manure bucket. Works good for me.
The worst thing is trying to put a 19" piece in 18" box , no matter how hard you push it just won't fit , then it has to be recut , more work you shouldn't have to do
