For some reason I think that picture is bad to the bone. Your pops, all bundled up, big hickory sticks slain all over the place, rockin' a 462, slinging a truck load of chips like a boss!!! You are lucky, my Dad never would go cut with me, now I don't think he is capable.
From stories farmer steve has told me his dad probably would have gone cutting without him. Just not with the 462.
He was 89 YO in that pic. He'll be 91 in June. He mostly used a MS 180 the last 10 years. He stihl delivered a few cords this fall but hoping /trying to get him away from the saws . Just to unsteady walking in the woods. That was a big white oak that had blown over in a storm.
I use a broken shovel handle that I cut the end square on and marked it at 16". A cheap can of marker paint from ollies and doesn't take long at all to mark a tree up for buckin.
Been using my secret Santa gift from LordOfTheFlies from 2020. Nice having more consistent splits for use and selling. We then throw them in totes according to size and quality of wood.
God bless him. Age is just a number. Wanna see pics of you at 89 using a 462 Steve. Thats if we make it that far!
I have a couple pieces of PVC pipe in different lengths I use and a lumber crayon , the 16 inch is my go to length. Honestly I never marked anything and would just wing it and guess ; maybe close but not always the same length. Then I met BRAD and cut with him ; he marked everything and when I split and stacked what he had marked my piles looked better with everything the same length. Now anything I can gets marked before cutting.
It sure will. You are active and outdoors a lot and in your genes. I dont know who Anita is, but hope she makes it to 89 too!