So I was checking out Craigslist and I came across an ad for "free firewood must take all". I was out and about this evening, and called him up. I stopped by the place to take a look at it. Crap! I might be in for more than I was looking for! It was too dark for pictures so here are the ones from his ad... I'm already sitting on 4+ cords of 3 to 4 years dried oak and maple, so I'm not desperate for wood, just a hoarder. He described it as, "large popple", so I assume aspen or white poplar? Just how much wood there is in the picture is deceiving, The logs are 8 to 10 feet long and 16" to 20+" in diameter. They were cut in July and on the ground since then, but the looked solid and not punky. I should be able to drive right up next to the pile for easy access. Just cut and load on site.. no dragging, no wheel barrows. I have a buddy that can help me so he'll probably take close to half of it. I'm running out of room to store firewood, but for free I'll make room... Do I want it? or do I pass on it?....... Dumb question to ask on a hoarding forum
Take it! Free and easy? Not even a question for this guy. Can't beat free and certainly can't beat easy, might not be the greatest of wood but it'll dry fast and it's perfect for campfires if you have enough good wood.
OK, I'm in. I'm going to call him and set up a day or two to come over and start cutting up the pile and bringing it home. The home owner works Wednesday and Thursday, I'm busy Thursday. I hope to have it all home by Saturday.
Worse thing that can happen is you lose your yard. I had to stop getting so much as I live in the suburbs. I’m sitting on about 4-5 cords too but I also may be catching the ire of my neighbors.... I haven’t spent much in heat so far this start of the burning year either so it really is money in the bank.
I'd definitely take some, but I don't think I'd want that much poplar/popple/popular. Once split and stacked though I doubt I'd regret it.
I'd drag the splitter over there and cut and split on site. Got any friends or kids you could bribe to help? Could you sell it by the wheelbarrow load for campfires? I'm tempted to start that in my neighborhood
Guess I'm a wood snob as I would turn it down. That was not always the case but like it or not, there is not a lot of heat from popple. If one is in need, then it can be okay but you are already on 3-4 years worth of oak and maple. No comparison in the wood and I fear you would be disappointed. if you get it and process you'll be happy in that it feels good and is heavy. Wait 6 months and it will be super light weight. Still, it is okay for those really short fires. Popple is in the class here of gopher wood. Put some in the stove and quickly go for some more.
