At Home In The Woods

[Obed]

I underestimated the size of the tree that blocked our driveway yesterday.

At first glance I guessed it to be about 18" in diameter. Once I got close up I saw the trunk was well over 2ft in diameter. At the largest part where the trunks forked about 30 ft from the rootball, the tree was about 3 feet across. My chainsaw blade was 18".

This was another big hickory like the one that blocked our driveway last June. The hickory that fell yesterday took down a large pine tree when it fell. You can see the pine stump broken off about 30 feet above the ground.

This was by far the biggest tree that I've cut up. I got the chainsaw bound in the tree once and had to borrow a second chainsaw in order to free the blade. The way the tree was lying, it was tough for me to figure out which way the tree would give when I made some of the cuts.

I was amazed at how heavy the logs were. Hickory is an extremely dense wood. One log I cut we could not move. It was in the way my next cut. I'm not sure exactly how long that piece was but it was a size that I normally can move for most species of trees. Unfortunately, the tractor was on the other side of the tree so I couldn't make use of it for moving the pieces. I ended up cutting the piece into 3 pieces.

I learned a trick or two by watching the tree guys we hired cut up the hickory we lost last June. When the tree was getting ready to give, you can see me standing far away from the trunk and just tapping with the saw under the tree and quickly stepping backward to get away from the tree when it dropped. Cutting strategic notches proved useful to help prevent binding the blade during some of the final cuts.

It was a lot of work but we got the driveway opened. I did not cut the 35 feet of trunk between the rootball and the driveway. While I suppose someone who knows what they are doing could cut the 2+ foot log hanging in the air with an 18" chainsaw, that seemed a little to much for me. With a bigger saw, I think I could do it. I wonder if anyone would have any use for this log. It is straight as an arrow for 30 feet without observable knots.

I need to get my chainsaws fixed or buy one or two. Living in the woods with a 900 foot driveway provides lots of uses for a chainsaw. Believe it or not, I had planned on chainsaw shopping this weekend.

This has been an interesting weekend. I had actually intended to mostly goof off this weekend. Instead, I worked in the rain Friday night until almost midnight routing rainwater away from the basement. Yesterday I was on my way to visit my dad when I found the hickory across the drive. Last night I was exhausted when I finished working outside at about 9:30 PM. That's ok. Today I'm goofing off with a vengeance. I have bluegrass music playing and I have lots of homemade cookies and lime pie to eat. Life is good.

 

[RadarTech]

So I take it you have a good start on next winters firewood?

 

[dcyrilc]

Obed,

I think I just figured out your next project for this thread.

...you need a wood shed.

 

[Obed]

So I take it you have a good start on next winters firewood?

I did cut one FEL bucket full of firewood and stacked it. The big logs just seem too large to try to cut and make into firewood. I dumped them into the woods. The top of the tree landed across the driveway in the woods so I didn't have to clean it up. I just left the top where it laid. I have several downed trees not far from the house that can be used for firewood. Plus I have a huge stack of logs left over from when we cleared for the house and garden.

When I get a working chainsaw, I'll start cutting firewood from the many sources available. I told my wife that we probably will have plenty of firewood without ever having to cut down a tree.

Obed

 

[Obed]

Obed,

I think I just figured out your next project for this thread.

...you need a wood shed.

Cyril,
Actually, my wife has been making comments about wanting a wood shed.
Obed

 

[RadarTech]

I did cut one FEL bucket full of firewood and stacked it. The big logs just seem too large to try to cut and make into firewood. I dumped them into the woods. The top of the tree landed across the driveway in the woods so I didn't have to clean it up. I just left the top where it laid. I have several downed trees not far from the house that can be used for firewood. Plus I have a huge stack of logs left over from when we cleared for the house and garden.

When I get a working chainsaw, I'll start cutting firewood from the many sources available. I told my wife that we probably will have plenty of firewood without ever having to cut down a tree.

Obed

Call the locals that sell firewood... They would likely come get those logs you don't want.. Then you don't have rotting wood all over your woods...

The big ones would get split and with no bark would make for good starter and burn hot and quick!

I see another construction project in your near future..
But keep that wood dry....


J

 

[dstig1]

Jeez, man get your self at least a helmet for some protection. You can find "logger's helmets" at Farm stores, good hardware stores or chainsaw dealers. Hard hat, ear muffs and face shield combo. Has saved my face and head many times. Even little branches under pressure can snap back and mess you up pretty badly. I think chainsaw chaps are a good thing too, but only if you like having your legs and feet working... Occasional users are more at risk, IMHO as they don't know some of the things that can happen or spot those situations as well. More experienced users get complacent and that is where they "get it".

On the bigger chunks, you can "noodle" them to break them down. Essentially using a chainsaw to half or quarter the piece lengthwise to make it more manageable. If you don't want the wood, post it for free on CL and it will be gone within the hour. But you have a FP, and really should keep it. Hickory is good firewood.

Find a good chainsaw in the 50-60cc class that will allow you to run a 20" or more bar. You can also get additional bars so you can swap out as needed. Keep one long one for those big problems, and a shorter one for general use. And as you discovered, you often need a second saw to deal with bar pinches, like you ran into. A smaller second saw can fit the bill and be more pleasant to swing around for smaller stuff. Heck, today we were out dropping and bucking the last of the trees on our lot and both my friend and I got our saws pinched a couple times in the space of about 15-20 trees (10" to 24").

And yes, you live in the woods so a couple good chainsaws are mandatory, but it sounds like you were already in agreement with that.

 

[tony Cecil]

I doubt it would be dangerous, but if you thought so, a yearly fall cheek up would solve that problem....Each time I turn the elec wall heater on, I smell what little dust has collected as it burns off...That has been going on twenty five years...You might just see if that would solve the problem...I thought might look unsightly as you would look down the louvers, but if that solved the problem, then the solving of the unsightly vent would be next :>)

I got up here to Flat Rock N C just in time for the rain you are talking about....The cabin I have is made out of heart pine, and has had ,and still does , a pesky leak around the dormer...I have tried everything to stop it, but nothing has stopped it all the way...

.I appreciate your efforts to get the water away from the foundation--I`v done the same--
and it does give you an awfully good feeling to do so, and then come in and have a nice shower and warm up....

I know you are going to miss the garden this year, but not me..That`s why I`m up here at this time....You might get some Zinnias planted by the house if you just make a spot for them....A great flower for an arrangement in the house...Tony

 

[mkane09]

Obed, I guarantee that someone in our area will come and get all of the hickory and probably pay you something for it, too. Hickory burns very hot and is one of the best fireplace woods you can get. I'm in the process of clearing a creekbottom with a Stihl 026 with an 18" bar and my Kubota MX4700 with grapple. I've cut and cleared some massive poplars and maples with the grapple. The Stihl is a very fine saw, up there with the Jonsereds and Husqvarnas. Don't bother with a cheap saw, it will drive you crazy. Deal's in Clinton sells Stihls and I've done a lot of business with them.

mkane09

 

[Bill 55]

Obed get you a couple of plastic or aluminum wedges and a good short handled 5 lb. hammer for those pesky times when you get the saw pinched. It will save you a lot of time. Your saw will cut those larger logs, just take your time. I have cut 24 inch oak with an 18 inch bar. You just don't get in a hurry. Please don't waste all that good hickory. That stuff is a wood burner's dream. It won't last long lying on the ground in the woods. Hickory rots real quick when left lay like that. It should split well as they are a nice straight grained wood.