cutting down / cutting up trees
 

when is the best time to do this

a) for cutting trees down
b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

Konstabel Els wrote:
when is the best time to do this

a) for cutting trees down
b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire

Assuming you want the wood for fireplace or stove, two years before you
need to burn them.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

Morris Dovey wrote:
Konstabel Els wrote:
when is the best time to do this

a) for cutting trees down
b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire

Assuming you want the wood for fireplace or stove, two years before you
need to burn them.

My father used to say any time the knife was sharp. ie. saw, ax, etc.

I personally like to cut them when it is not so hot and humid. Meaning
early spring or late fall, depending on where you live

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

Daytime.

Other than that, they say that the "sap is down" when the tree is
dormant in most cases. This might mean they'd have less moisture.

Around here, they say that the white ash is one of the few trees that
burns well when green.

Pick a time of year when you can work comfortably and still get the tree
out of the woods. I never cut or split trees in the summer unless its
an emergency. Down to about zero °F is best for me. I guess that says
"winter", but not January.


Pete Stanaitis
-------------------

Konstabel Els wrote:
when is the best time to do this

a) for cutting trees down
b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

spaco wrote:

Around here, they say that the white ash is one of the few trees that
burns well when green.

Elm burns like the graveyard mould,
Even the very flames are cold!
Apple wood will scent your room,
With incense-like perfume.
Oak and maple, if dry and old,
Keep away the winter's cold.
But ash wood wet or ash wood dry,
A king will warm his slippers by.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

"Konstabel Els" wrote in message
...
when is the best time to do this

a) for cutting trees down
b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire


Right after the storm knocks them down. If you have a choice, I prefer
after the leaves fall. Weather is cooler, less leaves to fuss with. As for
spitting, I prefer to wait a while and let it dry a bit. Best, IMO, is when
the logs are frozen and they "pop" with a couple of hits of a heavy maul.

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

Nice verse Morris!!

Morris Dovey wrote in news:4a454def$0$87067$815e3792
@news.qwest.net:

spaco wrote:

Around here, they say that the white ash is one of the few trees that
burns well when green.

Elm burns like the graveyard mould,
Even the very flames are cold!
Apple wood will scent your room,
With incense-like perfume.
Oak and maple, if dry and old,
Keep away the winter's cold.
But ash wood wet or ash wood dry,
A king will warm his slippers by.

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

Morris Dovey wrote:
spaco wrote:

Around here, they say that the white ash is one of the few trees that
burns well when green.

Elm burns like the graveyard mould,
Even the very flames are cold!
Apple wood will scent your room,
With incense-like perfume.
Oak and maple, if dry and old,
Keep away the winter's cold.
But ash wood wet or ash wood dry,
A king will warm his slippers by.

Beechwood fires are bright and clear
If the logs are kept a year.
Chestnut’s only good, they say,
If for long ’tis laid away.

Hard to beat olde English poetry for going right to the hea(r)t of the
matter. :)

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

Swingman wrote:
Morris Dovey wrote:
spaco wrote:

Around here, they say that the white ash is one of the few trees that
burns well when green.

Elm burns like the graveyard mould,
Even the very flames are cold!
Apple wood will scent your room,
With incense-like perfume.
Oak and maple, if dry and old,
Keep away the winter's cold.
But ash wood wet or ash wood dry,
A king will warm his slippers by.

Beechwood fires are bright and clear
If the logs are kept a year.
Chestnut’s only good, they say,
If for long ’tis laid away.

Hard to beat olde English poetry for going right to the hea(r)t of the
matter. :)

Yessir - and thank you for the lines I hadn't heard before!

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

On Jun 26, 10:29*pm, Morris Dovey wrote:
Konstabel Els wrote:
when is the best time to do this

a) for cutting trees down
b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire

Assuming you want the wood for fireplace or stove, two years before you
need to burn them.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USAhttp://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

what about splitting the logs, should I leave it 2 years or split them
straight away ?

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

Konstabel Els wrote:
On Jun 26, 10:29 pm, Morris Dovey wrote:
Konstabel Els wrote:
when is the best time to do this
a) for cutting trees down
b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire
Assuming you want the wood for fireplace or stove, two years before you
need to burn them.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USAhttp://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

what about splitting the logs, should I leave it 2 years or split them
straight away ?

Around here, where there are cottage industries for firewood, wood is
cut down in mid to late winter, snow is on the ground, but temps are a
bit reasonable.

The people I know who are in the business split as soon as they've cut
to length. So from the time the tree is standing til it's split and
piled could be a matter of days, or even the same day if they're really
hauling.

Although two years seems to be conventional knowledge for letting wood
air after it's been stacked, I've had success with same year wood. ie,
the wood is cut and split in March and it's in my woodstove in November.
I also have some two and three year old wood. While it does burn a bit
better, it's not something I notice that much.

YMMV

Tanus

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

is this olde English?
When I'm dead and in my grave
no more pussy will I crave
on my tombstone I want written
I've had my share and I'm not ****t'n
if by chance you pass me by
just **** on my I'm always dry.
ross
www.highislandexport.com

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

Ross Hebeisen wrote:
is this olde English?
When I'm dead and in my grave
no more pussy will I crave
on my tombstone I want written
I've had my share and I'm not ****t'n
if by chance you pass me by
just **** on my I'm always dry.

Sounds more Harvard, or Princeton ...

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 10/22/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

If the tree is cut in winter - e.g. sap down in the roots - the turn around
time is much shorter. I've burnt wood the same winter - a month or less seasoning.

Martin

Konstabel Els wrote:
On Jun 26, 10:29 pm, Morris Dovey wrote:
Konstabel Els wrote:
when is the best time to do this
a) for cutting trees down
b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire
Assuming you want the wood for fireplace or stove, two years before you
need to burn them.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USAhttp://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

what about splitting the logs, should I leave it 2 years or split them
straight away ?

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

On Jun 27, 10:07*pm, Tanus wrote:
Konstabel Els wrote:
On Jun 26, 10:29 pm, Morris Dovey wrote:
Konstabel Els wrote:
when is the best time to do this
a) for cutting trees down
b) for cutting the logs into pieces small enough for an open fire
Assuming you want the wood for fireplace or stove, two years before you
need to burn them.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USAhttp://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

what about splitting the logs, should I leave it 2 years or split them
straight away ?

Around here, where there are cottage industries for firewood, wood is
cut down in mid to late winter, snow is on the ground, but temps are a
bit reasonable.

The people I know who are in the business split as soon as they've cut
to length. So from the time the tree is standing til it's split and
piled could be a matter of days, or even the same day if they're really
hauling.

Although two years seems to be conventional knowledge for letting wood
air after it's been stacked, I've had success with same year wood. ie,
the wood is cut and split in March and it's in my woodstove in November.
I also have some two and three year old wood. While it does burn a bit
better, it's not something I notice that much.

YMMV

Tanus

I guess it depends on the wood type, soft woods being ready sooner.
What I am trying to understand is, as I'm splitting manually, will I
use more energy to split the wood when wet, or should I wait for the
wood to dry out a bit, since the wood will start splitting itself
after a couple of months.

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

Konstabel Els wrote:
snip

I guess it depends on the wood type, soft woods being ready sooner.
What I am trying to understand is, as I'm splitting manually, will I
use more energy to split the wood when wet, or should I wait for the
wood to dry out a bit, since the wood will start splitting itself
after a couple of months.

It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you live
in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze.

Tanus

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

Tanus wrote:
Konstabel Els wrote:
snip

I guess it depends on the wood type, soft woods being ready sooner.
What I am trying to understand is, as I'm splitting manually, will I
use more energy to split the wood when wet, or should I wait for the
wood to dry out a bit, since the wood will start splitting itself
after a couple of months.

It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you live
in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze.

.... and easier still if you do it with a powered hydraulic splitter. :)

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

"Morris Dovey" wrote:

... and easier still if you do it with a powered hydraulic splitter.
:)

Better yet, let someone else do the job while enjoying a cold one on
the beach under a cocoanut tree in someplace like the Fiji.

Lew

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

Morris Dovey wrote:
Tanus wrote:
Konstabel Els wrote:
snip

I guess it depends on the wood type, soft woods being ready sooner.
What I am trying to understand is, as I'm splitting manually, will I
use more energy to split the wood when wet, or should I wait for the
wood to dry out a bit, since the wood will start splitting itself
after a couple of months.

It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you
live in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good
freeze.

.... and easier still if you do it with a powered hydraulic splitter. :)


And easiest yet if you have a neighbour with a splitter and way too much
time on his hands. Sadly, I have neither.

Tanus

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

Tanus wrote:
Morris Dovey wrote:

.... and easier still if you do it with a powered hydraulic splitter. :)

And easiest yet if you have a neighbour with a splitter and way too much
time on his hands. Sadly, I have neither.

I'd split about 30 cords (about half elm) before I bought a splitter. If
you have any quantity to split, it might be worth locating one to rent
- they do save a /lot/ of work.

Heh. I had a couple of neighbors (not exactly with time on their hands,
they /made/ time to come over) help me cut up about a dozen trees that'd
been knocked flat in a storm. One of 'em brought a home-built frame that
had a 30" circular blade (with no guard, of course) that was pulley
driven from his WD45 PTO.

I think I was in my late 30's and both of these guys were in their early
70's. I'd already limbed the down trees, and one of these gents would
drag a branch over to the saw, and the two of us at the saw would swing
the branch into the blade - brannnnggg! I'd toss the cutoff up onto the
growing pile and reach to catch the cut end of the branch coming at me
to do it again. By suppertime the pile looked like a small mountain and
I was sure I'd set a new record for fatigue - but the old guys were
still looking pretty spry when they headed for home.

I've always thought it was a minor miracle that I still had both hands
at the end of the day.

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

"Morris Dovey" wrote:

One of 'em brought a home-built frame that had a 30" circular blade
(with no guard, of course) that was pulley driven from his WD45 PTO.
snip
I've always thought it was a minor miracle that I still had both
hands at the end of the day.

Can certainly relate.

Had an uncle in North Central Indiana who had a 1938 John Deere
tractor he built a frame to hang on the front end to support a BIG saw
blade that was powered by a flat belt (same as a thrasher except
smaller belt).

He used it to clear brush.

Saw it mounted on the tractor and it scared the devil out of me.

Never saw it in service, just as happy I didn't.

Lew

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

On Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:00:06 -0400, Tanus wrote:

Konstabel Els wrote:
snip

I guess it depends on the wood type, soft woods being ready sooner.
What I am trying to understand is, as I'm splitting manually, will I
use more energy to split the wood when wet, or should I wait for the
wood to dry out a bit, since the wood will start splitting itself
after a couple of months.

It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you live
in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze.

Tanus
Splitting rock elm at -10F - the wood heats twice that way!!
But it splits cleanly and easily, compared to splitting it unfrozen.

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

On Jun 29, 12:46*am, Morris Dovey wrote:
Tanus wrote:
Konstabel Els wrote:
snip

I guess it depends on the wood type, soft woods being ready sooner.
What I am trying to understand is, as I'm splitting manually, will I
use more energy to split the wood when wet, or should I wait for the
wood to dry out a bit, since the wood will start splitting itself
after a couple of months.

It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you live
*in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze..

... and easier still if you do it with a powered hydraulic splitter. :)

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USAhttp://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

but
a) it's not eco friendly
b) a splitter costs a lot more money than an axe
c) I don't any exercise

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

"Konstabel Els" wrote

but
a) it's not eco friendly
b) a splitter costs a lot more money than an axe
c) I don't any exercise
==================
I always remember that old chestnut,
"Wood warms you twice.
Once when you cut it and again when you burn it."

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

The axe can cost far much more than the splitter - once the
doctors finish with you!
Martin - I do both - but know my limitations!

Konstabel Els wrote:
On Jun 29, 12:46 am, Morris Dovey wrote:
Tanus wrote:
Konstabel Els wrote:
snip
I guess it depends on the wood type, soft woods being ready sooner.
What I am trying to understand is, as I'm splitting manually, will I
use more energy to split the wood when wet, or should I wait for the
wood to dry out a bit, since the wood will start splitting itself
after a couple of months.
It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you live
in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze.
... and easier still if you do it with a powered hydraulic splitter. :)

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USAhttp://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

but
a) it's not eco friendly
b) a splitter costs a lot more money than an axe
c) I don't any exercise

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

Morris Dovey wrote:
Tanus wrote:
Morris Dovey wrote:

.... and easier still if you do it with a powered hydraulic splitter. :)

And easiest yet if you have a neighbour with a splitter and way too
much time on his hands. Sadly, I have neither.

I'd split about 30 cords (about half elm) before I bought a splitter. If
you have any quantity to split, it might be worth locating one to rent
- they do save a /lot/ of work.

Heh. I had a couple of neighbors (not exactly with time on their hands,
they /made/ time to come over) help me cut up about a dozen trees that'd
been knocked flat in a storm. One of 'em brought a home-built frame that
had a 30" circular blade (with no guard, of course) that was pulley
driven from his WD45 PTO.

I think I was in my late 30's and both of these guys were in their early
70's. I'd already limbed the down trees, and one of these gents would
drag a branch over to the saw, and the two of us at the saw would swing
the branch into the blade - brannnnggg! I'd toss the cutoff up onto the
growing pile and reach to catch the cut end of the branch coming at me
to do it again. By suppertime the pile looked like a small mountain and
I was sure I'd set a new record for fatigue - but the old guys were
still looking pretty spry when they headed for home.

I've always thought it was a minor miracle that I still had both hands
at the end of the day.


Reminds me of my daily count when I come out of the shop. If I can count
to 21, it's been a good day. One day I counted 20. Not a good day.

Tanus

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

On Jun 30, 3:17*am, "Martin H. Eastburn"
wrote:
The axe can cost far much more than the splitter - once the
doctors finish with you!
Martin - I do both - but know my limitations!


er...you must be a tad older than myself ;-)

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

On Jun 28, 3:00*pm, Tanus wrote:


It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you live
* in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze.

I'm told that alder (local hardwood in Seattle) splits best when
green. I haven't tried it both ways, but local tradition on
the issue is strong...

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

On Jun 30, 7:13*pm, whit3rd wrote:
On Jun 28, 3:00*pm, Tanus wrote:



It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you live
* in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze.

I'm told that alder (local hardwood in Seattle) splits best when
green. * I haven't tried it both ways, but local tradition on
the issue is strong...

indeed...local tradition vs logic ;-)

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

We cut green and split green in Northern Ca.
When you can use the hydrologic pressure of the wood itself
it helps.

A lot of wood compresses and shrinks making it harder.

Martin

Luitenant Verkramp wrote:
On Jun 30, 7:13 pm, whit3rd wrote:
On Jun 28, 3:00 pm, Tanus wrote:



It's easier to split if it's dried out a bit - you're right. If you live
in northern climates, it's even easier if you wait til a good freeze.
I'm told that alder (local hardwood in Seattle) splits best when
green. I haven't tried it both ways, but local tradition on
the issue is strong...

indeed...local tradition vs logic ;-)

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

"Keith Nuttle" wrote in message
...
My father used to say any time the knife was sharp. ie. saw, ax, etc.

I personally like to cut them when it is not so hot and humid. Meaning
early spring or late fall, depending on where you live

I live in the middle of the Canadian prairies. What is this "hot" and
"humid" that you speak of?

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

Doug Brown wrote:
"Keith Nuttle" wrote in message
...
My father used to say any time the knife was sharp. ie. saw, ax, etc.

I personally like to cut them when it is not so hot and humid. Meaning
early spring or late fall, depending on where you live

I live in the middle of the Canadian prairies. What is this "hot" and
"humid" that you speak of?


Think back to last Summer, which I believe is August 14 in your part of
the prairie. It was about 95dF and 95% relative humidity. That was
the"hot" and "humid" that some of these southern US types speak of? As
I recall, a front came through the next day and it snowed. Oh well...
mahalo, eh?
jo4hn

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

jo4hn wrote:
Doug Brown wrote:
"Keith Nuttle" wrote in message
...
My father used to say any time the knife was sharp. ie. saw, ax, etc.

I personally like to cut them when it is not so hot and humid.
Meaning early spring or late fall, depending on where you live

I live in the middle of the Canadian prairies. What is this "hot" and
"humid" that you speak of?

Think back to last Summer, which I believe is August 14 in your part of
the prairie. It was about 95dF and 95% relative humidity. That was
the"hot" and "humid" that some of these southern US types speak of? As
I recall, a front came through the next day and it snowed. Oh well...

Fortunately, for those of us on the prairie there aren't any trees to
have to be bothered about cutting and splitting whatever this thing
called "firewood" is... :)

--

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

On Thu, 2 Jul 2009 22:02:04 -0600, "Doug Brown"
wrote:

"Keith Nuttle" wrote in message
...
My father used to say any time the knife was sharp. ie. saw, ax, etc.

I personally like to cut them when it is not so hot and humid. Meaning
early spring or late fall, depending on where you live

I live in the middle of the Canadian prairies. What is this "hot" and
"humid" that you speak of?

It's what we southerners get for free and you northerners pay for.
It's called a sauna.

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:55:44 -0400, Bill
wrote:

On Thu, 2 Jul 2009 22:02:04 -0600, "Doug Brown"
wrote:

"Keith Nuttle" wrote in message
...
My father used to say any time the knife was sharp. ie. saw, ax, etc.

I personally like to cut them when it is not so hot and humid. Meaning
early spring or late fall, depending on where you live

I live in the middle of the Canadian prairies. What is this "hot" and
"humid" that you speak of?

It's what we southerners get for free and you northerners pay for.
It's called a sauna.

More generally, it's called "free heat".

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

krw wrote:
On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:55:44 -0400, Bill
wrote:

It's what we southerners get for free and you northerners pay for.
It's called a sauna.

More generally, it's called "free heat".

Hey! I represent that...

....northerners can have "free heat" if/when they want it. :)

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:46:40 -0500, Morris Dovey
wrote:

krw wrote:
On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:55:44 -0400, Bill
wrote:

It's what we southerners get for free and you northerners pay for.
It's called a sauna.

More generally, it's called "free heat".

Hey! I represent that...

...northerners can have "free heat" if/when they want it. :)

I was a northerner all my life (IL, NY, VT, OH), then decided to get
the "free heat" last year. We moved to Alabama. ;-)

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

krw wrote:
On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:46:40 -0500, Morris Dovey
wrote:

krw wrote:
On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:55:44 -0400, Bill
wrote:
It's what we southerners get for free and you northerners pay for.
It's called a sauna.
More generally, it's called "free heat".
Hey! I represent that...

...northerners can have "free heat" if/when they want it. :)

I was a northerner all my life (IL, NY, VT, OH), then decided to get
the "free heat" last year. We moved to Alabama. ;-)
After being raised in South Dakota (the only windbreak between us and
the north pole was one tree in Minot ND), the family moved to
Californee. I took an oath never to touch snow again. Then after more
years than I can think about, I retired and moved into the nearby
mountains. Twelve feet of snow last winter. [dope slap]

There are a few problems with living in Paradise.

mahalo,
jo4hn

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:29:08 -0700, jo4hn
wrote:

krw wrote:
On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:46:40 -0500, Morris Dovey
wrote:

krw wrote:
On Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:55:44 -0400, Bill
wrote:
It's what we southerners get for free and you northerners pay for.
It's called a sauna.
More generally, it's called "free heat".
Hey! I represent that...

...northerners can have "free heat" if/when they want it. :)

I was a northerner all my life (IL, NY, VT, OH), then decided to get
the "free heat" last year. We moved to Alabama. ;-)
After being raised in South Dakota (the only windbreak between us and
the north pole was one tree in Minot ND), the family moved to
Californee. I took an oath never to touch snow again. Then after more
years than I can think about, I retired and moved into the nearby
mountains. Twelve feet of snow last winter. [dope slap]

Indeed. We had about 5" of snow here in Eastern Alabama last winter.
SWMBO (said she) wasn't happy about it. It was a perfect snowfall
though. Snow only stuck to green things.

There are a few problems with living in Paradise.

Well, sometimes there is too much "free heat" here. It's been a while
since I've been able to play with my toys.

cutting down / cutting up trees
 

"jo4hn" wrote in message
m...
I was a northerner all my life (IL, NY, VT, OH), then decided to get
the "free heat" last year. We moved to Alabama. ;-)
After being raised in South Dakota (the only windbreak between us and the
north pole was one tree in Minot ND), the family moved to Californee. I
took an oath never to touch snow again. Then after more years than I can
think about, I retired and moved into the nearby mountains. Twelve feet
of snow last winter. [dope slap]

There are a few problems with living in Paradise.

mahalo,
jo4hn

C'mon Jo4hn, there are at least three or four more trees in Saskatchewan - I
know 'cause I've seen 'em myself!