We split most of the first hickory we got from him with the County Line splitter. Some split really good, some was worse than pecan or elm...kept the sharp hatchet handy... https://youtube.com/shorts/HKWo3pC72jw?si=lhN4NmNG-lKJNNFx
Hickory I have split wasn't bad but it wasn't super easy like some species. But, no problem. I have LOTS of hickory on my land. I hope to nail down the species. Mockernut or pignut probably. Maybe bitternut, not sure. Don't see shagbark in these parts, although maps show it as native. I remember one when I was about 18 that I recall the bark was in strips or scales like shagbark is and I thought to myself, I have never seen that tree species. It's possible it was white oak but I recall the bark scales being long and very pronounced, not sure if white oak gets like that, haven't seen one since. I really like hickory as firewood.
Well, our friend called the other day, said they had taken down a "few" more hickories for a better view of the ponds from their house... All we needed to bring was the dump trailer and saw. We limbed and bucked to 12' logs, he loaded with the mini- excavator... Got a full cord load, I believe... So glad we have Godzilla now, had to use 4H to get out and up the sand hill... Got home and dumped... He has at least 5 more trees he wants taken down...
For those wanting to know more about fat wood. Awesome score I like burning hickory but the bark is so hard and brittle that whenever I cut it I need a face shield because the bark flies back and hits me in the face. Also 2+ years to season it by that time the beetles mostly ate it up.
