Dropped a 70' standing dead red oak this afternoon

[nikdfish]

It didn't go exactly as planned but ended ok. We had some concerns about how safe it was working around it since it appeared partially hollow at the base & was missing big sections of bark along the length. The main trunk was 50' + in length and there was another 20' or so of sub divided trunk & vertical limbs. The base at ground level was about 24" & about 20" at the point I cut.

Since I was not sure about the internal integrity of the trunk I wrapped a length of tie down chain around it about a foot above the cut point. It stayed together but did not fall quite as intended. It ended leaning on another tree. I used the 1025R nudge it over a bit to give me a straight pull line, then attached some chain & pulled the butt end back until it disengaged & fell the rest of the way. Even with the backhoe mounted, in 4WD with the differential locked, the wheels were spinning. Luckily I wasn't too far from the paved subdivision roadway so a couple of chain lengths put me on asphault. That made all the difference & it moved pretty easily at that point.

It gave the new Stihl a work out cutting it into manageable lengths. Dry red oak is some tough stuff & most of the internal structure was very solid. About as much as the wife & I could handle as an afternoon's work. Getting a bit long in the tooth for big stuff.

So anyway, one down & a bunch more to go in our woods cleanup...

Nick

 

[dave1949]

Glad it ended well. Dry oak is definitely a saw chain duller. Should be great firewood.

 

[jeff9366]

If my wife found me cutting on a tree that size she would wrap the logging chains around me, very tight, then beat me with one of the very solid branches.

( Once a high school Principle, always a high school Principle. )

Did you have to sharpen your Stihl chain during the job?

Good going.

 

[nikdfish]

Got through without sharpening & still cut ok when cutting up a red bud that became collateral damage. Safety chain "green tab" not the recommended tool for red oak though ...

Nick

 

[Rayster]

Glad you got it done safely. That burns very nice. I am hoping to have about 1-3/8 cord of red oak by next month. Everything else is white oak, and some elm. Should have about 3.5 cord total by when we need it.

Here is an interesting link on what wood produces in BTUs; Sweep's Library - Firewood BTU Comparison Charts

 

[jeff9366]

I use a Stihl MS261 with a 16" bar, in Stihl's Professional line.

On the bar I run Stihl Rapid Super Comfort Chain (RS).

"Stihl Rapid Super is reduced vibration saw chain. A cutter and tie strap design reduces vibration level significantly while still utilizing the aggressive full chisel cutter design."

The is a knife-thrugh-butter cutting combination. I love it. Not for the tyro nor careless. The saw is very powerful and revs very fast. Stihl recommends, and I buy, 89 octane gas. The chain is NOT a safety chain, it does kickback.

It cuts in one third less time than the larger Husqvarna 455 Rancher, equipped with safety chain, I used to use.

Give the Stihl "RS" chain a "whirl".

 

[creekbend]

I'm glad that everything ended up successfully. From your neighbor over in Caswell County.

 

[Western]

Those "widow makers" aren't safe until they are in the wood pile and your right, that's a good workout.

 

[CalG]

Glad you got it done safely. That burns very nice. I am hoping to have about 1-3/8 cord of red oak by next month. Everything else is white oak, and some elm. Should have about 3.5 cord total by when we need it.

Here is an interesting link on what wood produces in BTUs; Sweep's Library - Firewood BTU Comparison Charts

It's significant to note that Red Oak and Hemlock both have the same thermal output per pound. 161 MBTU/lb.

But a pound of hemlock will be about 1/3 greater volume than the oak. 3570/2465.

Folks who say you can't get any heat from "soft wood" just have no clue. I've got a hemlock fire in the stove now. It's below 50 outdoors and it feels good to chase the chill.

With that, I sure would appreciate 70' of dry standing oak anytime! ;-)

 

[Rayster]

Hey Nick,

Do you have any pictures of the job? We always appreciate the pictures...