So on my way to the office this morning I stop to see a customer that our gutter guy just installed gutters and down spouting on his new shop/shed. Yeah I was there to collect money, but also really enjoy talking with him. So we get through all the small talk about his building and the gutters. He asks me how I got along burning wood over the winter, I tell him the truth, we made is most of the way through, but ended up buying a few loads. He asks how I'm sitting on wood, I tell him pretty good but I'd like to get 3-4 years ahead. We are in the shed next to his stacks now, he asks if I know what kind a wood it is he has, easy to spot, it's red elm, he goes on and on about how he loves it and that's all he will burn now is standing dead elm. We start talking about drying, and he doesn't want to wait a year for live wood to cure. I fill him in that oaks, and locusts can take well over a year or 3 three, hence my wanting a 3-4 year supply. He had tried some Honey Locust last fall, and was excited to try it, but because it was only split the summer before it didn't burn well. About now he looks at me... "you know I've got some really big locusts down on the creek, a few of those should get you well ahead I would think".... I deer hunt his farm and know just the ones he is talking about.... 48" plus DBH and look to be around 80' tall plus, they are HUGE.... I laugh and say yeah they would... He says ok, this fall there yours.... I bust of had a blank look... he goes on to say "Nathan I've got a tractor and loader here at all times, and a big skid loader with a grapple, you drop them, I'll get them out and loaded for ya, plus your father in law has the equipment as well"... well ok then I say I'll take them. This customer, with out saying is a great guy, and has helped me sell a few buildings. Last year was his first year burning wood in a insert in his basement, he had bought it from a bigger retailer away from here. We talked about his install, he is particular, and since I had exceeded his expectations with his building he asked me to help install his.... I told him I didn't install my own and gave him the name of my stove guy. Adam did a great job on the install, and even did some repairs so he could burn in the main floor fireplace if he wanted to, that is to get a insert as well. Heck, before I left this morning he even offer to let me use his skid loader mounted wood splitter as well! I guess I may have to save for a 661 now, or just use FIL's 660. These trees are HUGE each one would last me a year easy! I only burn 3 cord a year if that. I love... LOVE to burn honey locust. My day dreams of a skid loader splitter may need to come to life as well! I'll try to get out there and snap some pictures of the trees in questions here. :stacke::stacke:
Good things happen to good folks. Great future score. That big, there will be some great splits & a big stack Careful with your back, gonna be some heavy stuff to move around....OH you said he has a loader Fun , fun
Good for you! Great how some things just happen from a couple of good guys shooting the bull! Can't wait to see photos of this action! Cheers!
Fantastic. Isn't it amazing how many times we hear this very same thing. Just makes me wonder what the hangup is about waiting a year for wood to dry....
Yeah... funny thing is, he had I'd say 2 cord in racks, on a wagon, or on pallets in his shed, and said he had another wagon load cut, needing split. and all of it was done last fall, so it would bee a year before he burns it... granted live trees would be different, but with the equipment he has, and 3 collage age boys, he could cut and split a years worth of wood for himself in a weekend. He is a busy guy, a farmer, good amount of crop ground, and raises his own hogs farrow to finish, adding another 1200 head hog house this summer. But hey, I'll take what he does not want.
That is awesome! I say you have an excuse to buy that big saw you want. Sounds like you got the hook up!
I met up with our factory cleaning service guy this evening- got similar treatment after talking for a few minutes- just need to get out to his property to see it with my own eyes!!!
That's a great deal, and with equipment to get it out and loaded. I will be anxious to see how many splits you get out of one of the biggest pieces
