Well shoot, we still got sweat runnin down the crack of our . Actually it’s been kinda chilly out here and clear last week and some. Rain comes back this week, the cold weather helps keep the wood dried out a bit for sure but I believe snows are in the not so distant future or at least back to being chilly.
That's a great picture - I had forgotten how pronounced the heartwood is on HL. As a sidenote, it smells fantastic too. Sweet, like... Honey.
Yes it really smells great. I processed some a little while ago, and every one I cracked open with the splitter smelled just like honey.
I knew that comment would draw you out of the woodwork, Mr. FatBoy85. You have some beautiful country out there for sure - hiking and camping in the PNW is on my "bucket list." Maybe as a family when the two new kids are a little older. Cash Larue - congratulations on your little boy! Glad to hear theres hope for turning off the spigot some day. Lol.
I’d recommend Mt. Rainier or somewhere in the Cascades. Maybe you pick a small cabin for that camping check off. Some bed and breakfasts places exist or just a weekend rental. I know travel trailers have gone a bit popular for those who don’t normally buy one. Unless you plan on it.
Heck, I'm getting 700° stt from ash. I'm holding onto the apple, ironwood, beech, and shagbark until it's really cold out.
Honey locust has the same sort of leaves as Black locust, but not that distinctive bark. I guess they are completely different genus, but happen to have similar leaves and burning properties. I’ve been thinking black locust would make a nice carbon sequestration mechanism if we could start planting it at scale wherever it can grow. It is nitrogen fixing, so it grows fast without fertilizer, and the btus indicate it holds a lot of carbon. Rot resistance is great for furniture or construction and could be used as a renewable fuel resource as we are well aware... forget apple seeds , we need a Johnny Locust Post.
thanks Horkn. After seeing the pics i believe they are around here. How does it split? I like the ease of the black locust. Keep in mind i hand split.
An EXCELLENT point mrfancyplants I recent discovered that black locust can be purchased for deck boards/outdoor projects albeit only 12' lengths. Very pricey but a replacement for mahogany and ipe. Fast growing tree as well with the same properties. Its my understanding that "southern yellow pine" aka loblolly pine/pinus taede is grown on plantations down south. Same tree used for pressure treated lumber.
after your comments on how great it smells Horkn & BigPapi , i wanna go find some. split and sniff away! Cut some sassafras yesterday and was sniffing that!
Score on the HL. That’s my “drop what you’re doing and go pick it up “ wood when I see it advertised on Craigslist. Although dry times can be brutal. I have pulled pieces recently that have been C/S/S for a 1.5 years (2 summers) that read 30%+ moisture in the middle. But when it’s dry it burns HOT.
6" and it's a ranch, out the typical chimney as it's an insert. So, 16' or so tall? Now, I do need to clarify, this was glass temp with an infrared pyrometer, so not really stove top temp I suppose. . She was choochin' though, that I guarantee.
I've gotten some from the dump occasionally. Straight pieces split pretty easily. However, it there is a crotch or knot, it is next to impossible.
