Wood snob it is then. Seriously, it does make a mess, but it also makes good firewood and kindling. There may or may not still be some sap on my saw from a big WP taken down and bucked up by yours truly back in 2008. Really. I can't actually tell, because I've cut more since then, but I bet it's still there. Why bother cleaning it, when it'll wear off in another decade or so?
I burn a lot of red pine, which I prefer over poplar. My grandfather planted a couple acres of them when he was a teenager, to serve as a wind break for my great-grandparent's peach orchard ("Pine Acres"). They should have been thinned out 20-30 years ago - many of them are dying due to competition and bark beetles. When I get to them they're usually pretty dry already. If I had to mess with green ones, it might be a different story for me - I'd probably take the poplar first. We all gotta pick our battles; nothing wrong with that. I passed up 4-5 cords of red maple earlier this year at my neighbors, cause I barely have the time to properly manage my own woods.
Star Gazer, That wasn't one that I saw, but I like the idea of olive oil sooooo much better than the mayo! Just sayin'! You have definitely had to use some olive oil with all the white pine you have. You've got a bunch of it for sure. I understand that I shouldn't waste it and should mix it with other woods, but I wish you lived closer, or I had more time on my hands. I'd be right over with a trailer full for ya! Firewood Bandit Bandit, I'm leaning your way buddy! I think the branches are ok for duck blind cover but the rest can BURN! I still feel bad that there are people that would be so happy to have the BTU's. I just can't talk myself into it. Eric VW As always man, you make me laugh! Thanks for not starting back in on thongs or... or... or...!
papadave I did clean my saw off with WD40. It got it cleaned up fine. I cant wait to have my wife see me walking out the door with a shop towel and the olive oil! I'll try to get a video of that one. It would be entertaining! Shawn Curry I think I'd be pretty happy with the red maple by way of sappy comparison. I know, I know, I just don't stop whining about it. Seriously, I bet a bunch of dead, semi-dry red pine close by would be worth the effort. What the heck? You'd almost have to do it! Nicely played, bushpilot.
Dave is right. Better yet is to cut down the pine and leave it down for 6 months and then the sap is practically non-existent. I cut up a big white pine after it fell during July and then cut it in December; no sap.
Olive Oil will also leave your hands nice and soft! After your done removing the pitch with the olive oil, I would recommend washing your hands with regular soap or you'll be smelling the olive oil until you do. If I lived closer, all you would need to do is indicate you needed some pine trees removed and I'd be on it like a fly on chit. When I was done, you'd be lucky to find any remnants of them. Well, maybe some needles. I might even leave some 3 or 4 year seasoned oak, hickory, black locust, and black birch behind. See, one persons junk wood is anothers prized wood. And to me, the majority of hard woods are junk. They are good exercise in processing them, but that's all they're good for. Keep in mind where I live the winters are relatively mild compared to where you live so I don't need high BTU long burning fires. My favorites are Poplar and Pine! Even Mountain Laurel aka Rhododendron. The branches make for great kindling and the trunks make for quick fires too! That reminds me, I need to get up on the hill behind my place and process some Poplar saplings and Mountain Laurel that I cut down during the summer. (I've got one spot I'm letting a bunch of Black Locust grow. Not because of the high btu's but because I love the smell of the blooms in the spring) With your current dilemma though, I would do what needs to be done. No need to feel guilty about how you handle it!
Everyone is making great points! I guess everyone's circumstances, and needs is what makes the decision what's worth processing. I think I'll save a little for the neighbors fire ring and the rest will be a bonfire to get it reduced down. I'm fortunate to have a tree service that calls when they are close with more wood than I need. I take it all and give some to friends and family. This stuff, to me, isn't going to make it to the stacks. Bonfire pic.'s to follow!
I cut pine all the time, it's just not for firewood. A lot of the sap oozes out after cutting. When pine has to go, it's got to go.
OK smart guy, how bout this?????????????????????????? Not wood or chainsaw, but Kade was in this file and he is cool and Daddy's lap dog.
I'm not complaining one bit, Dave! I'll mow grass in November any time. Highs have been in the mid 60's-lower 70's pretty consistently.
