Spring storm in Missouri

EddieWalker · May 10, 2009

I replied to your other post on the same thing, but after seeing your pictures, wanted to reply to this post too. From the pics, I'd just burn it to get rid of it and clean up the place.

Do you have a grapple? I've found the best way to clear and get rid of timber is to cut it into lengths, usually four, and carry them to the burn pile. Cutting them makes them easy to carry through the woods, but it also exposes the end grain, which allows them to burn.

Eddie

czechsonofagun · May 10, 2009

So sorry to hear that. I can imagine how it hurts to see the forest upside down. I would invest in a sawmill to save the wood - rip it into boards and sell it or use it myself.
What does the insurance company say about it?

MossRoad · May 10, 2009

Since these two threads were redundant and many people are interested, I merged them together.

Ridgewalker · May 10, 2009

Thanks for the fix...sorry about the DP. I went back down today, here are a before and after pix of my campground(use fire ring for reference) and one of my trailor which was chained to a tree at the campground. The trailor got it 4 times, it got picked up by a rootwad and then 3 pines fell on it.

I am calling the insurance company in the AM and I am also going to try to find a logger. I have heard the timber market sucks and this will only make it worse.

I lost 90% of my best timber. Most are not broken, it'a all rootwads up on their side with trees looking like pick up stix. This is truly heartbreaking, I worked pretty hard to get the property cleaned up and now it's worse than when I started.

Mike Costello · May 11, 2009

Ridgewalker, the storm that passed through Missouri was called a "Derecho" or straight line wind. I got hit here in Dunnegan..the wind speed came in at about 80mph. Lots of downed trees around here also and building damage. I had some minor damage to my 10 acres, but nothing compared to yours. Sorry to see all the damaged trees in your post. Hope you fare well.
This wind was powerful and lasted for about 30 minutes. My 3" diameter flagpole was bent about 20 degrees and the flag ripped off the pole. I found it some 500' away across the road ripped off the grommets. My wife's chicken coop (build in progress) was literally moved 2' off its pad. The road to my house and other neighbors was blocked by a downed tree, so a neighbor and I hustled down there with my tractor and chain saws to open the road. Could have been worse! Anyone else from Missouri suffer damage?

Lurch · May 12, 2009

Mostly just branches down. One small tree fell across the drive. Lost power for 9 hrs. Found all sorts of things in the yard. Siding, 1"x12"x3' board complete with nails and roofing felt attached, part of a rubbermaid tote. Lots of shingles.

MODiesel · May 13, 2009

No damage around here, but I've seen what "Derecho" or straight line winds can do around what's left of the town of Shotwell, MO. A few years ago they experienced something similar with the result being timberlines that looked like a bomb went off. And I'm not kidding when I say that one owner just, this past winter, got one fencerow finally cleaned up and regraded.

So I really hope the original poster has a better time of it. If it was me, I'd find a decent large CC saw and a portable mill and would start saving logs and sawing boards. Keep it dry and either use the wood yourself for projects or sell it in dribs and drabs via Craigslist. Folks pay good money for $$$ that they can find without dealing with wholesalers or mills.

Ridgewalker · Jun 21, 2009

My hometown paper published a bunch of pix from the Dericho. Pretty amazing what that little town went thru.

Democrat News - Photo Gallery - May 8th, 2009 Madison County Storm Photos

Ridgewalker · Jan 9, 2010

I thought I would update this thread with a few pix. I have a local logger attacking the mess but it's slow going. It was foggy when I took these pix but if you look close you can see tons of downed timber.

There is a small market for timber right now, my logger was walking around pointing at logs saying that log is worth $350...would have been $1,000 3 years ago, etc. Just my luck!

I am getting a 25% share on non grade and a 40% share on grade timber. I am just happy to be able to get around on the property again. Any cash in my pocket is a bonus. I am hoping to cash out enough to build a pole barn.

Anyone need firewood? Come and get it!

PS...I reattached the before and after pix of my campground for reference. Note the fire ring in both pix