wdchuck
Addicted to ArboristSite
Yesterday, in the fine rain, stopped at the ranger station to inquire about a firewood permit in the state forest. We looked at the map, discussed access, and off I went to check out all three locations.
One was getting clearcut by a pulp contractor, devastation, and not a stick worth touching, and you have to haul it to your vehicle, no motorized access.
Second spot, paved access but for the firewooding only, black locust that has been girdled, 1-2 cords in this spot. Permissable to get the truck right where the wood is.
Third spot, someone purchased the whole wood supply, but since I would accept black locust under 6"dbh, then have at it. My thoughts were the supply of fence posts that could be had. Again, permissable to drive in, but cautioned on impact, so no tearing up the ground with tires, and making ruts. Okay, no problem.
So, $10/cord, have it in writing that my truck can go in to the wood, and bought a 4cord permit, good for the two decent locations.
Today, my eyeballs were bigger than the truck bed, short box p/u with poles ranging from 7'-10' cab high, and 3" straps to tie it down tight for the short 8mile ride home. My math says 6-7 trips to get the 4 cords out.
Have to pile brush tops every so often, need to keep it neat, and it helps to keep a safe work area anyway. Spent about 4hours there, cut a few down, cut to length, pile the brush, load the poles, refuel the saw and myself, repeat.
Get home, unload them all to be cut at a later date.
The real limiting factor here is, all the great wood laying down or dead standing and a guy can't touch it unless he walks it out. That could amount to a lot of work for a little bit of wood depending on when you do it and if you have any helpers along. No motorized help though. Didn't ask about horses.
One was getting clearcut by a pulp contractor, devastation, and not a stick worth touching, and you have to haul it to your vehicle, no motorized access.
Second spot, paved access but for the firewooding only, black locust that has been girdled, 1-2 cords in this spot. Permissable to get the truck right where the wood is.
Third spot, someone purchased the whole wood supply, but since I would accept black locust under 6"dbh, then have at it. My thoughts were the supply of fence posts that could be had. Again, permissable to drive in, but cautioned on impact, so no tearing up the ground with tires, and making ruts. Okay, no problem.
So, $10/cord, have it in writing that my truck can go in to the wood, and bought a 4cord permit, good for the two decent locations.
Today, my eyeballs were bigger than the truck bed, short box p/u with poles ranging from 7'-10' cab high, and 3" straps to tie it down tight for the short 8mile ride home. My math says 6-7 trips to get the 4 cords out.
Have to pile brush tops every so often, need to keep it neat, and it helps to keep a safe work area anyway. Spent about 4hours there, cut a few down, cut to length, pile the brush, load the poles, refuel the saw and myself, repeat.
Get home, unload them all to be cut at a later date.
The real limiting factor here is, all the great wood laying down or dead standing and a guy can't touch it unless he walks it out. That could amount to a lot of work for a little bit of wood depending on when you do it and if you have any helpers along. No motorized help though. Didn't ask about horses.