Same here Dennis Was almost 30* this afternoon but not much sun. Great working temp and NO MUD. Got the red oak brush cleaned up at Mom's and found a beautiful bone dry white oak laying down in the woods while I was there. So I worked till dark getting it bucked and hauled some home. 25* when I came in
I will cut summer or winter does not matter. I do go up to the mountains and cut but cannot get up there during winter so that is when I focus on town wood and then when summer comes I will go to the mountains for more beetle kill.
I like cutting when it's cold enough to keep the ground frozen and the snow from melting on the wood but my 1951 Oliver 77 does not feel the same !
Rarely is the weather in January through March cooperative enough to cut, but there's almost no snow on the ground and it's supposed to be in the high 20's this weekend. I may go out and cut for a few hours. Anything below 20 degrees or much above 65 degrees and I'm done. I do most of my firewood processing from Columbus Day right through the end of December, unless there's a heavy snowfall. I don't mind working in 6-8" of snow but my tractor doesn't care for steep woods trails covered in snow.
Most all of December was a bust for me as far as cutting goes. Too wet. Lately it's been cold as hell during the week, then thaws on the weekend when I'm off. Hoping to get out tomorrow and drag out a couple logs. Ground should actually be frozen for a change. I will only cut and drag in weather above about 60*. No splitting or bucking usually when warmer than that. 40* is perfect for me, but will work down into the 20's. Would rather have to put on some extra clothes than have sweat stinging my eyes when bucking & splitting.
I'm with you Jon! This Winter is first time ever I made more firewood from Thanksgiving to Christmas than I used. Still wishing we had more then 8 inches of snow.
cool temps are definately better to cut and split in. i don't want real cold, everything hurts more then.
