Odd, I thouht I had been at it longer. comes out to exactly 40 years. Comin up on 81 in Jan. Burn around 6 cord a year, sell around 6. Cut all summer hauling the rounds and manually split all winter - gotta have something to do to pass time. I have a hydraulic splitter but it only sees the knots/crotches. Split with Fiskars X27 - that thing is amazing!, Wedge/sledge to bust the bigger ones in half for the X27, Maul only used to tap the X27 when it didn't quite firnish a split or to chop apart a stubborn piece.
I have some 60-70 cord of Black Locust in the stock piles, burn about 3 a year. I lucked into that due to an infestation of the Locust Borer. I about denuded the area for 30 miles around for every stick of it I couild get my hands on.
I am now clear cutting willow groves for farmers at no charge just to keep my physical condition from deteriorating to a 300 lb couch potato. I mix 50/50 willow/ locust for the fire and sell willow at $120/cord. Got surprised with a 6 cord order last week that wipes out my dry willow stock. I'll have to cut/split 15 cord by spring to cover my use next year plus orders and a start on rebuilding a year's reserve. Already have about 9 cord inr rounds so my cutting season has to be extended this year.
Off to Mr. Farmer in the morning to lay down another big willow that should produce over a cord.
Started way back then with used, cheap saws. Have improved the herd now to all Stihl, 192T (limbin), MS310 (getting old and tired), MS361, MS441 with a selection of bars from 16" to 32". Carry 2-3 loops of sharpened chains for each bar size. No filign in the field for me.
