Six months ago 90 mile an hour straight line winds hit our area, areas were without power for days, a marina on Mark Twain Lake was hit hard with boat docks pulled from their moorings, boats sank. Campers were tossed around still inside their RV's, the campgrounds hit were closed for several days while the damage was cleaned up. Trees were blown over by the thousands, and miraculously no one was seriously hurt. Fast forward to today, the Corps of Engineers is having their annual firewood cutting permit season, and the trees from that storm are up for grab. Most of what was blown over has been cleaned up, but there's still a lot to pick through. Here are a few pics from my outing today. I set out to cut only white oak, but some maple got in my way, so I went for about a 70/30 mix. This cost $10 for the permit, and unlimited entry for 5 months.
I hit it hard last year because they were renovating a campground, making it full hook ups. I got about 12 cords. Actually it was much easier last year, because you could drop trees along the road way, and the campsites. Just had to be careful to not drop them on electric hookups and picnic tables. A couple close calls.. LOL One big plus this year, the wood has already been drying for 6 months, but it has to be hauled a little further. Going for 2 cords to replenish for this season. There will be leftovers for next season.
I found a large maple that was down, about 14 inches in diameter, that's large around here. Almost all we have is sugar. But the maple was noticeably heavier than the white oak. I haven't burned any maple yet, is it worth the time and effort spent, when white oak is right next to it? I was going for variety.
$10, 5 months unlimited?? thats amazing!! I need to find out if there is something like this around where I live
This is an Army Corps of Engineers flood control lake, with 54,000 acres of land surrounding it. That may help in finding something near you. Edit; There is a stipulation that it's for personal use only.
A good sensible approach by the COE & DNR. A skid loader would be handy tool in that scenario if they are allowed. Last year a local state park took down a bunch of Ash,Oak & Hickory’s. The permit was free, unlimited quantity & access. They cleaned up all the brush/limbs & such.
A skid loader wouldn't be allowed, except under special circumstances. This year, because there were so many trees taken down by the storm, they put about 320 trees up for bid, most is white, red and black oak. They allowed skid loaders under strict use for that. I'm a one man operation, and I make heavy use of my wheel barrow. They will allow a UTV for this use only, but so far I don't see it helping my small needs. An interesting side note, a couple years ago I asked why don't the sell it as firewood in the campgrounds, his reply was "They aren't allowed to". It must be because it's federal land, and maybe our tax dollars already paid for it?
Looks like a gold mine for firewood. Its amazing the damage mother nature can do. Weve had a couple small tornados hit the area in the last few years and its a hoarders paradise afterward. Go get that wood!
. Am i reading that right? You have 5 months unlimited access and you're gonna get 2 cords - 3 or 4 trips with a pickup. Are you nuts? If true, you need to turn in your FHC membership card.
That is a good diameter to cut. Large enough for labor to be worthwhile, but small enough to not be a hassle to handle.
Last year I gathered about 12 cords, mostly out of there. Being new to wood burning, I think I'll go through 2 maybe 3 cords, I'm in replenishing mode this season. There'll be a lot of this wood leftover to go after next year, and I won't have to store it. I think I have a plan, but I've thought that before.
