I always mix black locust with another wood, usually ash because I have a lot of it, but sometimes silver maple and even cherry. Two or three pieces of white ash on a good coal bed and three or four pieces of black locust on top of the ashe and in 15 minutes you're off the races!
I have to say Ralph seeing that wood and you splitting with an axe has given me a new outlook on how easy it is for me. Tell the wife hi from me. Are you still here up north?
Nope, just got home about 10:30 pm yesterday after an uneventful 12 hour drive. Shouldn't say uneventful, I bought gas for 1.95 a gallon. Never thought I'd see that again. All that hand splitting, not bad for 61 years old! I have to tell you and all who may read this that my visit to your place was a treat. Your kindness, and generosity restored my faith in the goodness of mankind! I'll P.M. you later. thanks for everything!
If a bunch of members here stuck a piece of oak or locust in a $5 "if it fits it ships" box at the post office and sent it to bogydave, he could have a week of long burns and coals and be living the dream. His mailman would hate him though.
Let's go team! Lets do this! What a fun thought! Hey Dave, shoot me a message with your address and I'll be the first!
You are more than welcome, it was very nice chatting with someone like myself who goes out and makes it happen for themselves. Never heard one complaint about anything in your life from you or your wife and I have to say at 61 still splitting by hand the way you do is partly because of your outlook on life. Focusing on the positive and letting the negative work itself out.
Thanks guys....you confirmed my suspicions. Better to mix locust with some other hardwoods on a load. You guys are great!
This will get a lot of people stirred up... I mix my locust with the brush pile... Too many thorns to mess with. The biggest locust I have found was about 8" DBH. Why mess with that little, thorny, nasty stuff when there is large hedge- 12"+ to cut and stack. Also don't have that nice thornless locust here- just the 4"+ thorns on top of more thorns...
Sounds like you have Honey Locust. Black locust is much more prevalent here and they can get pretty big. 12"+ is typical and it's not u usual to see them at 24". Tall and straight usually as well.
Yes, always. Every time Ive run a full load of locust in my catalytic stove it has put the catalyst temperature into over fire range even with the air fully closed.
