Ash Trees

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Stihl310

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We've been working over the past few months to finish off the dead ash on our farm. I've lost count of how many trees we've cut down, but it was a ton.

This should keep us supplied for 10-12 years with the amount we've taken down.

Attached are some pics of our setup

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Does ash burn well when seasoned? I've burnt a lot of dead ash but I burn it straight from the woods, it doesn't do to well. I mean, it heats the house but it's hard to get started and keep a hot fire. Also, I empty the ash pan much more frequently than with seasoned hardwood. I should get some stacked for a year and test it out.

Attached are some pics of our setup
You have a great setup. Thanks for for pictures.
 
Does ash burn well when seasoned? I've burnt a lot of dead ash but I burn it straight from the woods, it doesn't do to well. I mean, it heats the house but it's hard to get started and keep a hot fire. Also, I empty the ash pan much more frequently than with seasoned hardwood. I should get some stacked for a year and test it out.

It burns very well when seasoned, dry some out and use it next Winter and you should be happy!

It does have less moisture when green than other woods, but it still needs to be seasoned to work well. Years ago I gave someone some Ash that wasn't very dry thinking I would test out the "you can burn Ash green" theory, they used it in a firepit and let's just say the experiment failed, it like all other fuelwoods needs to be 15-20 percent moisture content or drier to work well.
 
Believe me, I can't even begin to put into words what that place means to me. I grew up running around that farm and exploring. To say it's a part of me is an understatement.


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looks good. same problem here with the ash tree's. question. how do you run the grapple on your tractor? couldn't quite tell from your pics where the lines run. thanks.
 
looks good. same problem here with the ash tree's. question. how do you run the grapple on your tractor? couldn't quite tell from your pics where the lines run. thanks.


I used a two way diverter valve. The bucket tilt function operates it.

Basically plumb the tilt lines into the solenoid valve, wired a button into the ergo grip that runs relays to the valve. Normally closed keeps the bucket tilt circuit functional, so left right on the joystick works like normal.

Push the button with your thumb and tilt relay opens, grapple relay closes and the valve flips functionality to the grapple. Now left right on the joystick opens and closes the grapple. Release the button and all goes back to normal.

It works great and was about $1000 cheaper than buying deeres setup.

I'll take some pics tonight


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Here's the joystick and valve.

Original bucket tilt lines are plumbed in the back. Grapple hoses are on the opposite side towards the front of the tractor and then bucket tilt is in the back. One solenoid is always "valve open" to the bucket. When you push the button on the joystick they flip then the grapple becomes active.

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Here's the joystick and valve.

Original bucket tilt lines are plumbed in the back. Grapple hoses are on the opposite side towards the front of the tractor and then bucket tilt is in the back. One solenoid is always "valve open" to the bucket. When you push the button on the joystick they flip then the grapple becomes active.

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thanks for the info and pics. not sure if that set up would work on my New Holland. may have to run hoses from my rear outlets when i get a grapple. i'll show this to my mechanic wizard buddy. he may know more on how to do this on my tractor.
 
I'm sure it would work for you. All you need to do is locate auxiliary electric that runs off the key switch. Wire in your relays and hook them up to the solenoid. The push button will be kind of based on where you can put it. Fortunately I had the hollow ergo grip, so I just split it and drilled a hole where the bigger Deere switch is supposed to go.


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I love ash wood. Like mentioned cut it in the fall and by next fall it's good to go. It splits easily too. I'm about to be in the same situation with my ash trees. In the next year or so they are all going to be dead and I will be cutting and cutting. Unfortunately I have one of those wooded properties with a house and power lines on it. I'll have to call the power company once they are dead to cut them.
 
I love ash wood. Like mentioned cut it in the fall and by next fall it's good to go. It splits easily too. I'm about to be in the same situation with my ash trees. In the next year or so they are all going to be dead and I will be cutting and cutting. Unfortunately I have one of those wooded properties with a house and power lines on it. I'll have to call the power company once they are dead to cut them.

We also have some 345kv lines on our farm. So every five years the power company does tree management. However like you said, if you call them and notify them of dead trees they'll come out and drop them for you.


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We also have some 345kv lines on our farm. So every five years the power company does tree management. However like you said, if you call them and notify them of dead trees they'll come out and drop them for you.


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They did their trimming 2 years ago but at that time the ash were fine. Now they have dead limbs and light colored marks all over them. Last spring I had some ash borer bugs land on me while I was splitting wood. It's here so I'd say with in the next year or so these trees will be dead. There's a good amount that are larger than 20 in in diameter at the base.

From a fire wood point of view I'm fine with it but I bought this house 5 years ago because I liked living in the woods and the privacy. I'm trying to plant more trees but having mostly bass wood and ash these things are dieing fast.

I have noticed the pines are starting to fill in around here. That's fine with me more cover. I'll burn them if they die.
 
They did their trimming 2 years ago but at that time the ash were fine. Now they have dead limbs and light colored marks all over them. Last spring I had some ash borer bugs land on me while I was splitting wood. It's here so I'd say with in the next year or so these trees will be dead. There's a good amount that are larger than 20 in in diameter at the base.

From a fire wood point of view I'm fine with it but I bought this house 5 years ago because I liked living in the woods and the privacy. I'm trying to plant more trees but having mostly bass wood and ash these things are dieing fast.

I have noticed the pines are starting to fill in around here. That's fine with me more cover. I'll burn them if they die.

It's a real shame. Here in Ohio I'd say Ash trees are one of the staples of our woodlots. Lots of them were planted in the tree lawns along streets as well. Amazing how different certain areas around the city look now that the trees are gone.


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It's a real shame. Here in Ohio I'd say Ash trees are one of the staples of our woodlots. Lots of them were planted in the tree lawns along streets as well. Amazing how different certain areas around the city look now that the trees are gone.


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Yeah you see a lot of dead standing timber along high ways and around housing developments. I know my 5 acre wooded lot will regrow trees but I'm almost 30 so it will be mature woods again when I'm almost dead lol. There's a lot of new growth between the mature trees that will soon die and be cut down so it will be fine just not ideal.
 
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