Thread: My wife says I have to clean up the yard........

I hope you fellas don't mind if I get your opinion on some "spalting" wood. There is a "free firewood" posting for an oak that was "...cut down by the electric company 2 years ago." It's only a few minutes from my house.

Do you guys think there is good potential for some burl/interesting wood grain in this bunch? ...I am less than a novice at this sort of thing .


I'm thinking that the big junk just left of center might be a good choice. Ironically, I only have my Pontiac G6 for which to transport anything with , and nothing larger than a "sawzall" & 16" machete with saw teeth on the spine to cut these into more manageable sizes with .

that piece might have potential! I suppose the tools you have will work if your only looking to make brush handle or scales Maybe it would even be worth renting a chainsaw.

Good point about renting a saw: it reminded me that one of the cheapest equipment rental place in town is practically right across the street from this firewood listing lol.

That chunk you mention looks the most promising from the picture. That or a crotch that I see a few of. The straight pieces are the boring ones as a general rule. Although with Oak you can get some interesting quarter sawn patterns.

Is the couple of minutes driving or walking? Do you have access to a 2 wheel dolly? Do you have a friend with a truck? That big one would be heavy to lift into a truck.

Just thinking out loud.

Oak is tricky because there are so many variations. However the piece you indicated might have some crazy grain patterns. Splitting it with some steel wedges and a sledge might be another option if you do not know how to use a chainsaw. Safety first. Proper footwear and at least chaps is pretty important. There are reasons why the pros always use them.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Safety first. Proper footwear and at least chaps is pretty important. There are reasons why the pros always use them.

Don't forget the safety glasses! (I know a kid who lost the sight in an eye from a piece of wedge shrapnel )

Thanks for the responses!

It's a few minutes driving distance, probably about 3 miles. My wife's "besty" lives a block from us, and has a Ford Flex & an abundance of free time. They might have a dolly, as well. Her husband doesn't have much better wood splitting options than myself, though lol. I could always get "creative" with some ratcheting tiedown straps, to improve my mechanical advantage, since I would be the only one physically capable.

I grew up in the country. Though I have minimal experience using a chainsaw, I have been around them enough to know safe operation practices. This, thankfully, would be a simple dissection, with no fall hazards, and only minor risk to the extremities (barring Operator error ...). Gloves, boots (maybe even my steel-toe work boots), and safety goggles were a given.