So I did some quick research and it appears the silver maple is a common tree in NH forests around swamplands and rivers. Makes sense as where I pull my silver maple from is predominantly in an area close to a swift moving mountain river. I've harvested countless silver maples over the years from that area (dead and down of course) and never gave it much thought as they were so common. I'll have to keep an eye out farther back in the woods to see how far away from the bodies of water I find them. They go punky quick when down but they're decent firewood when you get them before they go bad.
Interesting. We've always called red maple swamp maple as they grow like wildfire in swampy areas and in big clumps. I agree, silver maple isn't the strongest of trees and it is down the scale on the maple BTU chart. Still, I've found it to be a decent firewood and you can't beat the price ($10 a cord).
Let's throw another wrench into the mix: Acer × freemanii - Wikipedia Red maple will grow anywhere, wet or dry sites. Silver maple prefers being down by the river with its feet in the silt and sand. In areas where the two cohorts mingle, there can be some freaky stuff going on resulting in a hybrid between the two.
Good to hear your health is allowing you to do more of what you enjoy! Those maple rounds look like the perfect splitting size
Yes quite a few lining the sandy banks of the Connecticut River, and a couple along the Pequabuck River in Bristol. I also cut a Freeman maple at my uncle's house back in the spring. At the time I thought it was a red maple with some strange looking leaves. Being how I am, I did some digging and found out the red and silver will hybridize.
Decided to start working on this red oak scrounge I got back during the first week of June. The pile has been taking up the spot where I normally park my snowmobile trailer so it's time to get it CSS and out of the way. I won't get to the large pieces today, but will definitely be breaking out the 500i when I do. I'll use this to finish off the oak stack I already started (and find somewhere else to stack the remainder). This will all be going towards the 24-25 season.
Man I sure miss all this hardwood that all of you post. I have kicked around when I retire bringing a few loads a year up to Alaska, on a gooseneck. Will have to go spend a weekend working for amateur cutter for a free load to bring North.
I don't get a lot of oak, but glad to get some once in a while. My main firewood trees are beech, ash, silver maple, red maple, white birch, and yellow birch. I'm sure there are some other hardwoods that end up in my stacks from time to time that I incorrectly identify but regardless, I'm 99.9 percent burning hardwood at the moment. I am starting to CSS some softwoods for next year just because I need to take some dead trees down on my property (hemlock, spruce, and white pine). I've thought about doing one of those campfire bundle roadside stands because I have access to all the softwoods I want around here, but there are already plenty of others selling bundles. That's a long way to haul hardwood up to your location.
Only got one load CSS due to some friends that I haven't seen in over a year stopping by. Still, it's progress. Love the smell of fresh split oak.
It is a long way for a scrounge, but when it tied in with trip. If I can squiggle something on the truck or trailer to sell and pay the gas money.
Been thinking of getting a bandsaw mill and bringing back hardwood sawlogs. No one in Alaska is doing this so our hardwood lumber is from Home Depot or Lowe’s or other source similar. I would like to find something for my kids to do without have to work for the man. Have a good life and make plenty of $$$$ for good life.
That would be a great endeavor. I'm toying with the idea of gutting my house next year and doing a (slow) rebuild/remodel. Along with that, I'm considering getting a mill and milling a lot of my own wood (especially for trim work, custom work, etc.). Will have to see how everything plays out. But if you get a mill (you're much more 'remote' than I am), I can definitely see you trucking a load (or more) of hardwood back.
With all the giant dollar custom houses being built in Alaska that hardwood lumber may be a feasible endeavor. Custom sawmilling and selling spruce rough cut is a thing here. Thinking about a firewood processor as no one within 300 miles does that.
