We were 10° above normal last week, now back to "the norm" High 20°s daytime, low teens at night Storm due next week, low 40°s in the forecast, rain/snow mix (hope they're wrong) Need snow now
Nice work! Practicing on those tall stumps is a good way to get some practice with a minimum amount of danger. Did you grab that ash too? You mentioned milling the ash, and splitting the elm - I think I would have done the opposite! If they're straight, dry, 6-8", I don't think Am. Elm is too bad to split. Greener, or larger, it's time to pitch it over the fence. Or mill it! It can actually be some really nice looking wood, from what I've seen in pics.
Better than having to split it! Elm and sycamore were traditionally favored for making chair seats, due to their tendency not to split. The seat is what ties the entire chair together; and if it does split, at best you'll end up with a wobbly chair.
I've milled some (many moons ago). The hardest part is getting past the smell and keeping the lumber from warping.
Ahh, handsplitting elm. The joy. I bet you are thinking of buying a gas splitter now, huh? Great work though!
Got the splitter already. My FIL donated one for my use. But I've got so much German blood in me (read stubborn) and not enough brain cells to use it.
Ah, you're ignoring the gooder part of being Germanic by being stubborn and not using the gas splitter.
