Firewood question

[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. 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...

[buckeye gold]

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

[johnallin]

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...

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.

[Swingpure]

I have all of the normal split wood of maple, white birch, poplar and even some ironwood for the evaporator. I just got a whole bunch of cedar posts that were from a lot of bunk beds. It is very dry, but is stained and likely has some sort of veneer on it.

Cedar will burn like pine I suspect, hot, but can cause a creosote problem, but my concern is for the stain and veneer on it and if that would affect the syrup. I had no plan to use this, but I have a fair amount of it and will be getting more.

Any thoughts if I can use this, or totally stay away from it? My gut says totally stay away from it.

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[Pdiamond]

It will make great campfire wood. Don't use it in the evaporator. That coating could cause an off flavor in your syrup.

[Swingpure]

It will make great campfire wood. Don't use it in the evaporator. That coating could cause an off flavor in your syrup.

That was my thinking and my fear as well. Some of it will be headed for the ice hut.

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[TapTapTap]

HOLY COW! How many bunk beds did you have?

It will make great campfire wood. Don't use it in the evaporator. That coating could cause an off flavor in your syrup.

I think there are several environmental reasons not to burn it in the evaporator, although I don't think it would create an off flavor since the smoke shouldn't be passing near your pan. As for burning it as campfire wood - that creates the same environmental impacts and would be even worse since any toxic fumes from the coatings would be more likely to be inhaled.

The best solution is to repurpose the stuff.

Ken

[Swingpure]

Probably the best idea. We will likely make some flower boxes and other outdoor boxes with them. They came from a place that had many bedrooms and they are replacing the furniture.

Maybe I can make some walls out of them for my next sugar shack!

[Mead Maple]

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.

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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[maple flats]

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.