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Author Topic: Ash trees  (Read 3351 times)

mlappin

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Ash trees
« on: March 20, 2015, 10:07:36 PM »

Got talking to the guys at the hay sale today about dead/dying ash trees. And what nobody could answer is this, when an ash dies will it stand till the roots rot out from under it and still be good firewood or is it like an elm and soon as you see its dying and dropping bark you need to get it cut up before it goes doughty/punky?

I was wondering as I thought I was caught up to our small woods (7 acres) as I just processed 20 some odd dead ashes out of it. Then went back yesterday since the weather has broke and seen I have at least another 12-15 to cut down now. Still have 23 out of the next woods (19 acres) to process yet and haven't even started on the big woods (23 acres). Is this something I can work on gradually or do I need to call in favors from all my friends and get this done ASAP? I've cut ash in the past but it was always blowdowns that were still alive.
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willieG

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Re: Ash trees
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2015, 10:25:38 PM »

Got talking to the guys at the hay sale today about dead/dying ash trees. And what nobody could answer is this, when an ash dies will it stand till the roots rot out from under it and still be good firewood or is it like an elm and soon as you see its dying and dropping bark you need to get it cut up before it goes doughty/punky?

I was wondering as I thought I was caught up to our small woods (7 acres) as I just processed 20 some odd dead ashes out of it. Then went back yesterday since the weather has broke and seen I have at least another 12-15 to cut down now. Still have 23 out of the next woods (19 acres) to process yet and haven't even started on the big woods (23 acres). Is this something I can work on gradually or do I need to call in favors from all my friends and get this done ASAP? I've cut ash in the past but it was always blowdowns that were still alive.

I cut mostly dead ash and I think they stay pretty solid for a long time but they do (I think) tend to dry out and snap off.
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Re: Ash trees
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2015, 12:09:16 AM »

If its standing and the bark comes off or opens up almost all wood will stand for quite a while now I'm not sure why on some trees of the same species the bark comes off and some don't but I have a few pine that have been standing with bark half off and the wood is solid.
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mlappin

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Re: Ash trees
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2015, 05:53:50 AM »

I've always liked cutting dead red elm when I can find it, those will stand till the roots rot out from under them and never turn punky.
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Jwood

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Re: Ash trees
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2015, 06:47:54 AM »

I cut some wood on the edge of a swamp either oak or an ash no bark left had been there for who knows how long ( a long time), wood hard as could be. Same swamp I got a great big black ash that the beaver took down while it was still alive. I figured it was way to nice of wood to let the beavers have it.
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Bondo

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Re: Ash trees
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2015, 07:10:34 AM »

Ayuh,.....      Standin' dead trees are known as Widow Makers for a reason,......

Be very, Very careful cuttin' 'em down,....

'n while they'll be dryer than green wood, they're usually along ways from Dry, because of the capillary action,...
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Re: Ash trees
« Reply #6 on: March 21, 2015, 07:37:24 AM »

I bought some ash from a guy this year that had a boiler but stopped using it when they ran natural gas down his street. He said they dry out and snap off and had a few close calls when he was cutting down trees. Said one nearly missed him while he was busy cutting a different tree.
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kommandokenny

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Re: Ash trees
« Reply #7 on: March 21, 2015, 09:41:13 AM »

Ayuh,.....      Standin' dead trees are known as Widow Makers for a reason,......

Be very, Very careful cuttin' 'em down,....

'n while they'll be dryer than green wood, they're usually along ways from Dry, because of the capillary action,...

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I got a giant dead oak close by, but looking up at the killer limbs, freaks me out.
I keep leaving it,,,, although it's primo.

Brother logged professionally in B.C.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, said leave it
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kommandokenny

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Re: Ash trees
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2015, 03:02:27 PM »

Dead Birch is the worst .........falls apart,,, then your dead
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Re: Ash trees
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2015, 04:13:11 PM »

That dead ash will stay dry, dense, and solid for a long time. I have a bunch as well and will leave them for next season
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mlappin

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Re: Ash trees
« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2015, 07:15:37 AM »

Ayuh,.....      Standin' dead trees are known as Widow Makers for a reason,......

Be very, Very careful cuttin' 'em down,....

'n while they'll be dryer than green wood, they're usually along ways from Dry, because of the capillary action,...

I'm used to cutting dead trees. Years and years ago when dirt was new I was selling campfire wood, have the state park right across the road, sometimes moved almost three pickup loads on a Saturday, making about $150 a pickup load, was a 8 foot box but had a tool box so might as well call it a short bed. Most of the summer I'd cut dead standing elm that had all the bark off.
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