I just processed a load of gum with with my 35 ton splitter. The wood fibers are woven together such the the splitter literally had to tear the wood apart! I tried splitting a few rounds by hand and it was possible but definitely required a massive effort (took me at least ten strikes with the maul to crack open a 15 in round). Anyway, I plan to use the wood as my shoulder season supply....for when I want flames but not much heat. I hope it seasons quickly!... I think it well from what I have read. This is my first post here btw, I can’t believe it’s about gum!!!!
I hand split and am selective about what ill scrounge for that reason. Welcome to the forum Road-side Oak Great bunch of folks here with lots of knowledge and humor
I use sacrificial wooden wedges to get the steel wedges out of the gum rounds. More than once I’ve nailed the round to the splitting block with the splitting wedge as the nail! PIA. Besides being hard to split and low BTU, another charming thing about gum is it makes a disproportionately large amount of ash.
This is Melanie’s husband mike btw! . U didn’t tell me years ago when u sold me a cord of oak that this wood stuff is addictive!!!! Now look at me! I’m on a social media site for wood hoarding!
Hahaha! This is outstanding! jrider gets an A+ for the day! Welcome aboard Road-side Oak , glad to have you. Good to "meet" you.
Yes! She definitely thinks I have a problem. Little does she know I’m only 3-4 cords in! . This “addiction” has only just begun to take root. I love working outside, love working with the wood and the saw/ maul / splitter. I’m definitely a gear junky so I definitely find some joy in using quality tools. And then there is is that feeling of satisfaction when I look in my yard and see my full woodshed. I love the chase of scrounging for wood that is trash to some people but it’s gold to me! It’s crazy some of the big trees people take down around here. Some of these old growth trees, I almost feel bad using them for firewood... I should be making furniture! Anyway, I could go on and on (and I imagine I will in posts to come)... but truth of it is, this isn’t an addiction really. For me it’s more like therapy. I know I’m preaching to the choir here... glad to be here. Thanks for the many welcomes!!!!
Very well said Road-side Oak Although, I admit, am leaning toward the addiction side. The forum has helped feed that!
Your more dedicated than me. If I had 2.5 cords to split I would be making a trip to the dump. I’ll save my energy and effort for better btu wood. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
