As a result of the ice storm on February 5, two very large oak trees came down within 15 feet of our house.
That was not the plan. There was a dead 90 ft. oak tree that I was trying to cut down in a controlled manner. However, the ice storm occurred before I could finish cutting all of the way through the tree and it fell in such a way that it also knocked down another large oak tree and a medium size maple tree. What a mess!
We rely on firewood as a major source of heat for our house. A few years ago, Barb and I had a $4000 propane gas bill and resolved that we would use the wood burning stove in our living room to be the major source of heat for our house. We closed off several rooms and the system has worked very well. But to rely on firewood for your heating supply requires spending the summer splitting wood...lots of it. It's really been a "win-win" for me because I get lots of exercise and I generated lots of firewood.
(Picture: these are the same two oak trees a month later.)
I was surprised when I started getting inquiries about providing firewood to several of our neighbors who live in the region. Firewood was in short supply as a result of the cold, long winter and several people needed additional supplies. That's when my effort to cut up the two fallen oak trees really kicked into high gear. Among the tools that I am using is my father's 40-year-old (or more) Stihl chain saw and my 27-ton gas powered log splitter. I also own two 14 inch Stihl chain saws and a lot of other firewood paraphernalia. I'm equipped.
Traditionally, firewood from oak trees should be allowed to sit for an entire season to dry out. That wasn't an option this year, so I have been trying to "mix and match" firewood for my customers so they would have some seasoned, drier wood...or even pine...to get the new wetter oak firewood started. Once you have a really hot fire, even "green" oak firewood will burn very well. The other thing that has worked out well is that oak trees have lots branches coming off of them. Knots at joints burn exceptionally well.
We are just about at the end of our firewood this winter and I look forward to splitting more firewood for next winter. All of the firewood that was on the parking pad in this picture (picture on left) is already gone. It was split and taken to one of our best customers. Barb and I are just down to the final rack
Spring can't come soon enough!
