First scrounged tree was rotted

[Emt1581]

On the corner the next block over from my home was a birch tree that I thought was hit by lightning. I left a note in the mailbox and asked if I could have it. Sure it's soft wood but so long as it's dry I don't mind. Anyway, they called and said I could have it. They neglected to tell me it was rotted.

I sectioned up the trunk and some thicker branches and packed them into the back of my forester...which worked beautifully by the way! The saw went through them like it was styrofoam. Got it home and started splitting it. About 1/3 of it was good wood....super moist at 40% but useable. The rest of the wood crumbled when I tried to split it. Ended up chucking a lot of it in my treeline to decompose.

It didn't cost me but an ounce or two of gas but I wish I would have known prior to asking that it was rotted. I guess next time when I see something scrounge-able I'll stop and take a closer look prior to asking.

Something else I noticed as I was cutting was that the chain on my 550XP was loosening up slightly. Is that normal? Do I just need to crank it down tighter?

-Emt1581

 

[svk]

Sorry to hear. Watch the chips when you are cutting and if it's throwing dust versus real chips then it's rotted.

Chain stretch is normal. More so with Chinese chain.

 

[Emt1581]

Sorry to hear. Watch the chips when you are cutting and if it's throwing dust versus real chips then it's rotted.

Chain stretch is normal. More so with Chinese chain.

Great point on dust vs. chips.

The chain is the one that came with my saw. From now on when away from home I'll keep the tool on my so I can fix it.

Thanks

-Emt1581

 

[olyman]

On the corner the next block over from my home was a birch tree that I thought was hit by lightning. I left a note in the mailbox and asked if I could have it. Sure it's soft wood but so long as it's dry I don't mind. Anyway, they called and said I could have it. They neglected to tell me it was rotted.

I sectioned up the trunk and some thicker branches and packed them into the back of my forester...which worked beautifully by the way! The saw went through them like it was styrofoam. Got it home and started splitting it. About 1/3 of it was good wood....super moist at 40% but useable. The rest of the wood crumbled when I tried to split it. Ended up chucking a lot of it in my treeline to decompose.

It didn't cost me but an ounce or two of gas but I wish I would have known prior to asking that it was rotted. I guess next time when I see something scrounge-able I'll stop and take a closer look prior to asking.

Something else I noticed as I was cutting was that the chain on my 550XP was loosening up slightly. Is that normal? Do I just need to crank it down tighter?

-Emt1581

id be watching those neighbors close.. they knew it was rotted,, and found a sucker to do the deed for free.........

 

[Emt1581]

id be watching those neighbors close.. they knew it was rotted,, and found a sucker to do the deed for free.........

Maybe, maybe not. The call actually came from a woman who is watching the house/grabbing the mail for the real owner who I believe is in a nursing home.

Definitely lesson learned though. Is there a way to tell if it's rotted prior to cutting into it? Maybe with a drill or other evidence the tree will show?

Thanks

-Emt1581

 

[svk]

Maybe, maybe not. The call actually came from a woman who is watching the house/grabbing the mail for the real owner who I believe is in a nursing home.

Definitely lesson learned though. Is there a way to tell if it's rotted prior to cutting into it? Maybe with a drill or other evidence the tree will show?

Thanks

-Emt1581

Look at the ends of the logs. If they are heavily water stained that's not a good sign. Although some species are still solid.

Take a couple of test cuts in different spots. Does the saw work or just zoom right through? It it throwing real chips or just sawdust? Does the sawdust smell rotten?

 

[Shanen Mannies]

I have taken a some pretty crappie wood when offered, just do a really great job and be thankful. It's still a win for both of you. Most likely it will get your name and reputation out there and better things to come your way..
I'm blessed with more opportunities today than I know what to do with and that's the way I started out.

 

[olyman]

Maybe, maybe not. The call actually came from a woman who is watching the house/grabbing the mail for the real owner who I believe is in a nursing home.

Definitely lesson learned though. Is there a way to tell if it's rotted prior to cutting into it? Maybe with a drill or other evidence the tree will show?

Thanks

-Emt1581

hammer......5 lb or so...........

 

[zogger]

Just watch tightening up the chain too much when it is hot, when it cools down it puts stress on the bar, the bearings in the tip. Loosen it back up when you stop cutting for the day.

Rotten wood, meh, goes with the turf. Once I commit to a tree, I burn it all as long as it stays intact enough to stack and dry out.