First big tree I got into was a large standing dead red elm. Noodling and wedges, took me a month to split all that wood. But it also got us through our first winter burning, as I learned about proper seasoning. 10 years later I am 3 yrs ahead.
I know all y'all like pics so I made sure I stopped and got pics will have to ge use to doing that now. Only time in life I will ask another guy send me a pic of his
If you get one wedge, get three, of different sizes. If you only have one, you will get it stuck in a round in no time. And you can't cut it out with your saw, for obvious reasons. Start your smallest, thinnest wedge in a maul scar, get a crack going, and add another wedge on the other side of the round. After you get that one banged in, you may be able to remove the first one, and start it somewhere else. I have good luck banging a wedge down the side of a round. It's good to have a sharper edge on them than what they come with in a store.
Get some more rounds gathered, then rent one, or just buy a hydraulic splitter. Elm is great wood, especially like that. It may be ready to burn as it is. But it will make you go crazy and have to visit the doctor of you try too split that with a maul/ axe. I'm very well versed in elm splitting.
I've already split bunch of it it's ready to burn for sure. The ol lady really likes it how fast it catches on fire makes it easier for her to start.
I'd say if you ain't got no hydraulics, might wanna consider noodlin' them.... Then, save yer noodles up for tinder. Great stuff when dried out!
X2! When I first got my splitter I split wood for 3 days straight! I piled all the nasty ones in a separate pile and said to hell with them until I rent borrow or but a better way. You can buy a splitter for $600-$6000. What's your deductible for chiropractor appointments? Or if your worse off, the doctor. To me, not worth beating up the body. I know, I probably sound like an old man but I'm 28. I learned real quick at my last job, if there's something like that to make your life easier, do it.
Great looking BTU's there. I second the rental of a hydraulic splitter but if you are determined to split it by hand, have a look at the tutorial Boogeyman put together on hand splitting elm. Hand splitting Elm, the easy way Good luck.
This, and to further save your back, once those heavy rounds are in your truck, roll em off one at a time directly onto the splitter. Use your tailgate as a work bench.
