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Almost impossible to split... what is it?

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by CuckooChris, Sep 22, 2015.

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  1. CuckooChris

    CuckooChris

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    Heard my neighbor outside splitting, I could tell there was a lot of hammering of wedges. Went over to say hi and see what he was working on. OMG, he was driving wedges into about a 14" round. He had 2 wedges into a piece and it still wouldn't split:hair:. I went home and got my x27 and took a whack at it... it was like hitting a marshmallow with a toothpick! What is this? I guess I'm spoiled with my supply of red oak!
    IMG_20150922_171016330.jpg
     
    CuckooChris, Sep 22, 2015
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  2. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    Looks like white birch but I'm far from an expert in these things!
     
    The Wood Wolverine, Sep 22, 2015
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  3. CuckooChris

    CuckooChris

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    I thought birch too, but not sure, never had any before. The picture is a little deceiving, the bark is more grey than white.
     
    CuckooChris, Sep 22, 2015
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  4. Wood Duck

    Wood Duck

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    I think it is one of the non-native poplars that are planted for quick shade.
     
    Wood Duck, Sep 22, 2015
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  5. CuckooChris

    CuckooChris

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    Possibly, do have a ton of poplar around here. My experience with them is they split easy and are green in the middle, which this stuff is neither. Could be another variety though.
     
    CuckooChris, Sep 22, 2015
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  6. basod

    basod

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    It's probably like Wood Duck is saying but an Aspen hybrid(sometimes referred to as popple)
     
    basod, Sep 22, 2015
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  7. dusky

    dusky

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    I did a quick google and the pattern on the bark is pointing to the poplar family.
     
    dusky, Sep 22, 2015
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  8. basod

    basod

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    basod, Sep 22, 2015
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  9. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Yeah, definitely a poplar family wood.


    Have you ever tried to split elm? :rofl: :lol::hair::wacky:
     
    Horkn, Sep 22, 2015
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  10. HDRock

    HDRock

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    Sounds like you need to open a can of spinach:D;)
     
    HDRock, Sep 22, 2015
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  11. Locust Post

    Locust Post

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    yep that looks like aspen from here, Gopher wood.
     
    Locust Post, Sep 22, 2015
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  12. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    Reminds me of Aspen in Colorado, except I have not seen them that big...
     
    wildwest, Sep 22, 2015
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  13. CuckooChris

    CuckooChris

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    Finally got a chance to google it too; it does look like some of the Aspens. Just glad it's not mine, I like the workout from splitting but there also needs to be some progress. This stuff was like trying to split a truck tire.
     
    CuckooChris, Sep 22, 2015
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  14. Scotty Overkill

    Scotty Overkill Administrator

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    That sure looks like aspen to me, too...

    You think that stuff sucks to split, try splitting tupelo (black gum) once. It will make that aspen look like a walk in the park!!
     
    Scotty Overkill, Sep 23, 2015
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  15. lukem

    lukem

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    Black gum doesn't split. It tears.
     
    lukem, Sep 23, 2015
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  16. Canadian border VT

    Canadian border VT

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    Having split most.. Hardhack, and elm are the worse Australian red gum is a bummer too. Such a messed up tree termites won't eat it!:bug:
     
    Canadian border VT, Sep 23, 2015
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  17. ChuckinMichigan

    ChuckinMichigan Banned

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    Now there's a funny mental image! Bunch of Termites with no teeth. LOL! :D
     
    ChuckinMichigan, Sep 23, 2015
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  18. CTYank

    CTYank

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    By the bark and the widely-spaced annual rings, looks like some mountain ash a neighbor gave me a couple years back. Burned nicely.

    On a cut face it looked kinda like oak or chestnut, except for the ring spacing. Enjoy it.
     
    CTYank, Sep 23, 2015
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  19. Fanatical1

    Fanatical1

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    Looks like Aspen to me.... Or often referred to as popple. It can be stringy sometimes. Although I like having some sort of soft wood in my stacks, I wouldn't be going to the trouble of using wedges to get aspen split. :)
     
    Fanatical1, Sep 23, 2015
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  20. Firewood Bandit

    Firewood Bandit

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    If not split immediately, poplar gets punky very fast in the center. That's why your maul was getting stuck, (and it's stringy too). Birch does too.
     
    Firewood Bandit, Sep 23, 2015
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