Hey all, new to the forum. Great site. So, here’s my next project. A big beautiful red oak fell in the lake, and it’s almost time to grab it. The lake drops about 10-15’ in the fall/winter, so it will be on dry land soon. It’s quite the undertaking, since it’s a rocky shoreline and a steep hill to the camp, impossible to get any vehicles down there. We did one last year which was bigger than this, and took three guys and a portable winch. And that’s my dilemma. I’ll have to share the spoils .
Can you get an atv or truck close enough to use a rope/cable and a snatch block to pull it up in pieces?
Welcome to the FHC Thor94 . Glad you decided to join us! I was going to suggest a winch or block and tackle pulleys. Can you remove the limbs, chain it and skid it out in sections with 4WD vehicle? The only other way is to buck the tree and carry the rounds out. Hard work yes, but no sharing the spoils. Ive done similar trees in the past the hard way. Dunno if id try it at this age. How about a boat? ATV on frozen lake in Winter?
Yes, that’s exactly the plan. We’ll cut it up into say 8’ sections, use a portable winch/block to pull it over the rocks, and onto a flat area where i can bring down the wheeler and log splitter. But it’s a chore getting it there. I’ll stack it right near the lake, where there’s a constant breeze. Seemed to dry out another oak from last year. A lot of work, but I enjoy that type of thing. As I’m sure most people on this site do.
Welcome to the site... So do you have a place that on that beautiful lake that you will be burning that tree? Fireplace? Wood stove?
Welcome aboard Thor94 . Better start on that now, winter's coming! Sounds like you have a plan already.
Thanks for the welcome everyone! Yes, I have a camp on the lake. That’s where my firewood obsession started. It’s a three season camp, with minimal insulation and the only form of heat is a wood insert. I go up pretty much every weekend, including the winter months for ice fishing. While it takes time to warm up, once the insert fan kicks in, it warms it up nicely. Still have a lot to learn on wood heating, but it’s an enjoyable journey. Of course, the outside camp fire is a must as well. Between taking down trees and the constantly falling trees, I never seem to be at a loss for material. Spruce, white pine, white birch, yellow birch and red oak makes up the stash. Thanks again
Welcome to the club. Lots of great folks on here sharing knowledge and humor. Great to have you. Sounds like a good plan. Plan carefuly
I lived on a lake in Michigan years ago... Had a wood stove at the lake house and my buddy had a ice fishing shanty with a wood stove the size of a coffee can, we would pull out on the lake with our snowmobiles, not that unlike "grumpy old men" ( but 40 years ago). Caught mostly yellow perch. Welcome to the site..
Welcome to the land of BTU's Thor94. That oak looks like a lot of work, but it sounds like you have a plan.
Yes, I can relate to the grumpy old men.. here’s the inside of the shanty. Jotul 602 keeps it nice and toasty. Course, this pic was taken on shore as we were just “practicing” ice fishing that day...
Welcome Thor94 , glad to have you here. Here's what I use for stuff like that. That's a 12K hydraulic winch mounted on that back blade. Pulls pretty much anything.
Welcome to the forum Thor94. That looks like it could be a nasty job but doable for sure. Too bad you have to share but perhaps they also will share in the work. You say you have much to learn, perhaps this could help you out a lot. Just click on the link: Primer on Woodburning by Backwoods Savage
Welcome to FHC Thor94 Lotta work in that red oak, but it sounds like you’ll get it outa there just fine. Besides, that’s half the fun!
