How Long to wait for cutting up tree into Firewood?

[deepNdirt]

lately here in Ga, we have been experiencing large amount of rainfall, Yesterday we had a flash flood on top of already soaked grounds, when the rain stopped I took a walk down to our creek and found it out of the banks and the large Oak tree that stood on the bank-side the water had washed out the root system and the tree fell, the tree stood close to 100 ft tall and was approx 3 1/2 ft. thick, the root ball is the size of an SUV, ... other then the tree being and eyesore to the creek area it is not hurting anything laying there,
This tree will provide many truck loads of fire wood and I would give it to anyone who is willing to cut and take it away, However if no one wants it,
I'll most likely cut it up myself get a splitter and sale the wood to pay for my time gas and effort,....... My question is how long should a hardwood tree lay before attempting to cut it up into firewood? or is there a time at all? I do cut down small tree's from time to time and when I cut them I go ahead and cut it into manageable lengths so I can handle them and get them out of the way,
but never really bother to split the wood into firewood, as they usually are only less than 1 ft thick,
Thanks

 

[MMagis]

I’m sure someone know better than me, but I would think that if you went ahead and started cutting/splitting now, but the time “firewood season” came around it would be seasoned enough.

 

[dmccarty]

I would TRY to cut it up as soon as you have time and you can safely access the tree....

Some oaks will last years on the ground and still make good firewood. Others do not last long at all.

We had a wind storm at least 2-3 years back that took down some of our biggest hardwoods. One was 32-36 inches. I have used the top for firewood. The trunk to the first limbs was 60ish feet. I can't afford a saw mill to saw it up so it will be cordwood. Which I hate to do. Straight trunk and big.

I checked the tree a sixish months ago and it was still ok. A tree that came down with it was not in good shape.

The same storm took down a large hardwood, I think it is a Hickory, that is over 36 inches. A BIG tree. When it feel it took out big oaks and as a result it is not laying on the ground. But it is remote and I will have to build a trail to get to the tree. No way to get a tractor to it....

I cut down three dead oaks last Friday. They have been dead a couple of years. One seems to be in great firewood shape. They other one looks to be past its firewood prime but we will still use it.

Later,
Dan

 

[Mousefield]

Should be easier to split before it drys. Will make it heavier to move around but I try to cut and split before to many months go by.

 

[beenthere]

Agree, no time is good. but no time is bad as far as cutting and splitting if not going to supply your own dry firewood (dries better/faster when split).

Mousefield, that sure looks like a handy tool/attachment for moving big blocks of wood and logs.

 

[magicheater]

My question is how long should a hardwood tree lay before attempting to cut it up into firewood? or is there a time at all?
Thanks

You can cut it up right away or wait 10 years if you want. Logs kept out of ground contact can last a long time. Each species differs. With hardwoods, when dry, they are a little harder on your chain and bar than when green. I try to chunk mine up as soon as possible and then split when I have time. Chunks will dry more than a long length. Oak needs to cure 2 years before use. Hope this helps.

 

[forgeblast]

Normally i try to drop, cut, and split the same day. I will then take the spits and throw them into a pile out in the sun for 3-4 weeks, then i will stack them. I must say i will only stack them in the rounded (cant remember the name) hay stack form from now on. It went from green to seasoned in 4-5 mts (even with the whole summer not haveing 3 days between rain last year). It was easy to pull logs from and took up less space.
If you are going to sell it, you may want to stack it in the amount you will sell it as.
cord, 1/2 cord, face cord, or campfire bundles.
But cutting while its still green makes it easier, splitting if it is not splitting easy just let it dry a bit, but i split by hand if your using a splitter then you shouldnt have any issues.

 

[brin]

deep - I had a big Oak like you describe come down right at the entrance to my farm..those things are huge...I found a guy down the road that wanted it and he had a big enough chain saw to handle it and I gave it to him...he cut it into slices and his son split it by hand on site while it was still green..and they hauled it away ..They even left me some..saved my back.

 

[rmully]

The sooner you cut and split the faster it will dry.

 

[Mousefield]

[QUOTE
Mousefield, that sure looks like a handy tool/attachment for moving big blocks of wood and logs. [/QUOTE]

Thats part of the reason I got the tractor with backhoe, has a 7 position thumb. Easy on the back, splitter has a flat "table " so nice for putting the rounds on without rolling off. :thumbsup: