Racing the Snow: Lodgepole

With 12" in the forecast in upper elevations (where the firewood is cut), I've been hustling to bring as much out as I can. Nice load of Lodgepole from Sunday. Most of this is ready to burn. Four rows at 16".

 

Get it when you can!

 

Heck of a load

 

Nice load. Are you trying to make your tailboard look like mine with that dent?

 

I love Lodgepole and that's a nice load! This time of year the sap shouldn't be running so CSS is much cleaner. That smell, it's the best.

 

I'm not sure I could ever match the "special" patina your tailgate has haha.

 

With proper tree selection, I don't run into much sap. Most of the dead standing I'm cutting is very dry. The Subalpine Fir (silvery bark) leaks sap really bad. Ruins your gloves.

 

If it is ready to burn, there will be no sap. Standing dead lodgepole can be a life saver. My brother still waits till about a week before hunting season to cut his wood.

 

That stuff is nasty isn't it? Our local name is pizz fir. Stinks too. I use to know a kid who would score a green one in the mountain lakes and rub his hot dogs with the sap before cooking over the fire.

 

It splits very easy but is a low BTU. For some reason, they are all dying in this area. But yes, has a strong pine aroma and clear sap like glue.

 

LOL!!! Its taken many years

 

Not much heat to it. About like aspen. I cut one down in a relatives yard and split it for her. About a month later in the end of August it wasn't even registering on a moisture meter. She passed years ago, but I remember her saying it was good for getting the fire in the kitchen going quick.

 

Much of what's dead around here is the Subalpine fir. It's perfect kindling for forest fires. We've had about 3" of rain here today and it's just turning over to snow. 24" up in the mountains in areas