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Almost impossible to split... what is it?

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by CuckooChris, Sep 22, 2015.

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  1. Upstatewoodcutter

    Upstatewoodcutter

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    It's an aspen or popple, firewood wise it's pretty low on the charts, below white and sugar pine if I remember correctly. White birch bark is different and it splits pretty easily, definitely wouldn't need wedges to split it. That's just my two cents though, could be wrong
     
    Upstatewoodcutter, Sep 23, 2015
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  2. CuckooChris

    CuckooChris

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    I think you nailed what happened to this stuff. As far as I know, it's been sitting on the ground for a few months. It had a very weird consistency, almost soft and rubbery.
     
    CuckooChris, Sep 23, 2015
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  3. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Popple's better that white pine btu wise, but not by much.

    Once dry, and it dries quickly once split, it starts really nicely. But they call it popple, for a reason. ;)
     
    Horkn, Sep 23, 2015
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  4. Upstatewoodcutter

    Upstatewoodcutter

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    Wasn't 100% sure on the btus, but I knew they were at least close. I know where there's popple on my lot, and I won't cut it. So it pops when burning like pine and hemlock then?:confused:
     
    Upstatewoodcutter, Sep 23, 2015
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  5. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Popple/ aspen is 13.7 mbtu's per cord, and white pine is 13.2.

    It pops and crackles more than any other wood I've burnt.
     
    Horkn, Sep 23, 2015
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  6. Upstatewoodcutter

    Upstatewoodcutter

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    Sounds like the soft wood of the deciduous trees.:rofl: :lol:
     
    Upstatewoodcutter, Sep 23, 2015
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  7. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    Hybrid Poplar. We had some one time and I was able to find only one picture with some of it. You can see some behind the wood pile. It is a fairly fast growing tree but it tends to get weak and breaks off as you can see with a couple of these in this picture. Stinks like crazy when first cut. Splits terrible. When it dries, there isn't much to it so makes a very poor fire. I rate it worse than willow and it won't even compare with aspen.
    Splitting pile-3.JPG
     
    Backwoods Savage, Sep 23, 2015
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  8. basod

    basod

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    None of the nay-sayers should dissuade anyone from Tulip Poplar - the type of poplar that will be green in the center when cut, wet and heavy.
    It'll dry in a year and produces a good bit of ash, but for a shoulder wood hard to beat - cleaner processing than pine to boot
     
    basod, Sep 23, 2015
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