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Logging "tree tops"

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by dgeesaman, Apr 15, 2015.

  1. dgeesaman

    dgeesaman

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    Talking to someone about the neighboring property today - he mentioned that the woods there were selectively logged a couple of years ago and that they left behind tree "tops" that might be good firewood.

    Do these have the bulk to be good firewood and worth pursuing?

    I hate to sound spoiled but I still have a lot of heavy logs to cut as part of my instant 3 year plan. If I scrounge for tree tops it will slow down the log processing. But if the tops are good stuff and 2 years old it might be excellent to C/S/S now for next winter.
     
  2. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    I personally like tree tops, but only down for a year, and can depend (for you) if they've been covered with leaves from autumn(s). That said, I'd still have a dissecting look at them, testing them for punkiness.
     
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  3. Locust Post

    Locust Post

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    I cut a lot of tree tops a few years ago.....loggers leave some pretty big stuff, some of it may be starting to go bad but I would guess you could still get some prime firewood out of there because a lot of the stuff is probably up off the ground on top of brush and other tops.
     
  4. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    ^thats for sure!
     
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  5. haveissues

    haveissues

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    Tops are great IMHO. Don't need your big saws and the rounds are light so it is easy work and a lot of them are split once and on the pile. I'm guessing the wood is fine if cut a couple of years ago.
     
  6. Woodchuck

    Woodchuck

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    Working on tops right now. Best bang for the buck...all hardwood (Red Oak White Oak,Hickory) :dex:
    Here's a quick pic
    328_3.jpg
    They average 12-18"diameter and are quick to cut :saw:
     
  7. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Yep, tree tops from loggers are good stuff. Yes they can be a little more work than big rounds, but there's less processing to do once cut to length. A split or 2 and they are stackable, if not a cut and stack.

    I take branches down to about 3.5" most times, and this past year I took nearly everything, even down to a half inch for kindling to start my fire. I had enough wood without buying any.
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2015
  8. Woodchuck

    Woodchuck

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    I have access to a 70 acre tract that had been timbered two years ago. It is pretty fast and easy to get with the Kubota.
    I took a quick check with the MM just to see where it was....17% on the 10" stuff :thumbs:
     
  9. Horkn

    Horkn

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    What kind of wood? Even maple should still be good at 2 years down.
     
  10. Woodchuck

    Woodchuck

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    With two saw running, my buddy and I cut a pickup load in less than 30 minutes.
    It would be more difficult without the tractor to pull the free
    [​IMG]
     
  11. Woodchuck

    Woodchuck

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    It has been about all Red Oak & White Oak, but there is some Shag Bark too
     
  12. Hellbent

    Hellbent

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    That looks like a magical land with rainbows and cotton candy clouds! Was that stuff cut above or below the chocolate waterfall? :faint:
     
  13. Horkn

    Horkn

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    You are all good then.
     
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  14. Horkn

    Horkn

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    You forgot the unicorn that poops out doughnuts.
     
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  15. HDRock

    HDRock

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    Go take a look , see what's there
    Cut a bunch 0f tops ,couple years ago , good stuff :saw: :tree: [​IMG]
     
  16. dgeesaman

    dgeesaman

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    Sounds like the Big Rocky Candy Mountains

    David
     
  17. Woodrat1276

    Woodrat1276

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    I would definatly go check it out. You might find a good mine of wood
     
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  18. Gasifier

    Gasifier

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    Let us know how it turns out for ya. It won't take long to cut one truck load and see if you like the access part of getting to it, cutting it up and tossing it into truck, etc. :popcorn:
     
  19. dgeesaman

    dgeesaman

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    I doubt I can use my truck - I'm thinking about running my tractor over the ditch between our fields and working one bucket at a time.
     
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  20. haveissues

    haveissues

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    How about filling up your bucket and skidding some closer to your property at the same time?
     
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