Firewood question

I've got a hemlock tree that fell about 1.5 years ago. I'm not the best with a chainsaw, but the thing fell right on its side with the branches holding it perfectly horizontal at about chest height, so it was easy and fun to cut. Last year I cut about a cord from it, and the wood dried super quick. Now I've got myself a brand new hobby-sized wood fired evaporator, and wondering if I'll run short of wood. Which comes to my question:

What are the chances that the hemlock that's been there for the 1.5 years, completely suspended in air by the branches but otherwise uncut, could be cut up now and used as firewood soon after? Or, like most wood, would I need to cut and season it for months before even trying?

I only even ask because a) it's not laying on the ground and it's been exposed to air on all sides (albeit still as a full log with bark on), b) it's hemlock so it dried much faster than any other wood I've ever used.

Thanks...

I think it would be ok, but it won't be as seasoned as cut and split. Cut some and try it, that's the best stest

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Originally Posted by stimyg

I've got a hemlock tree that fell about 1.5 years ago. I'm not the best with a chainsaw, but the thing fell right on its side with the branches holding it perfectly horizontal at about chest height, so it was easy and fun to cut....

What are the chances that the hemlock that's been there for the 1.5 years, completely suspended in air by the branches but otherwise uncut, could be cut up now and used as firewood soon after? Or, like most wood, would I need to cut and season it for months before even trying? Thanks...

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All of the wood I've cut for the past 14 years has been either dead standing or fallen. I'm sure your hemlock is dry and fairly well seasoned by now.

But..For what it's worth...when you say you're not the best with a chainsaw and cutting a fallen and suspended tree at chest height was fun, I think you should keep a few things in mind.
1. Using a chain saw at anything above waist high is extremely dangerous. One slip and it's coming at your head or neck.
2. Cutting a tree that's partially held off the ground by branches also has inherent dangers. You don;t know what pressure will be relieved when you cut and where what you're cutting is going to spring to...

Just a word of caution.

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Originally Posted by johnallin

All of the wood I've cut for the past 14 years has been either dead standing or fallen. I'm sure your hemlock is dry and fairly well seasoned by now.

But..For what it's worth...when you say you're not the best with a chainsaw and cutting a fallen and suspended tree at chest height was fun, I think you should keep a few things in mind.
1. Using a chain saw at anything above waist high is extremely dangerous. One slip and it's coming at your head or neck.
2. Cutting a tree that's partially held off the ground by branches also has inherent dangers. You don;t know what pressure will be relieved when you cut and where what you're cutting is going to spring to...

Just a word of caution.

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I second this. When I saw chest height I thought oh boy.

Cut it up and see what it looks like. Definitely be a season ahead if you can help it


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It will burn fine, but you must split even the smaller wood, the bark on hemlocks as with all pines has a fire retardant in the bark, to protect it in a forest fire.
Several years ago I had some scotch pines I cut to burn. I did not split them if they were over 4" diameter. When I put some into a roaring fire every other thing burnt up and at the end of the day, I still had a 4" chunk (Scotch Pine), blackened but still full size.

Definitely it should be decent. In fact i'd say cut it as soon as possible. In my experience hemlock rots pretty fast.

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Originally Posted by Mead Maple

I second this. When I saw chest height I thought oh boy.

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Thanks for the words of caution. Maybe it’s waist height. I’m pretty careful. Very careful really. But can never be too careful.

Go for it. I cut standing dead softwood all the time and everything above the first 5 or 6 feet fires well.

As the other noted, please, chaps, facemask/helmet and caution. We want to chat with you on the forum about fun stuff, not chainsaw wounds!

Please be careful. The smaller branches are often the more dangerous. It would be best if you could pull it with equipment and get it on the ground. Split it down to to 2” to 4” sticks.

On blow downs I usually start as close to the top as possible and cut towards the trunk. That way your letting it down a little at a time. Watch fore what way a limb is pinching and cut a small release cut then cut from the other side.