locust & more locust

[aquan8tor]

I think folks say "invasive" when they actually mean that it's poineer species that invades crop fields.

I have a love-hate relationship with locust trees. I love the trees for their wonderful benefits already outlined in this thread; but if I let a field grow for a few years, it's a real PITA to clear. No slip clutch on the brush hog means replacing shear bolts all day.

:angry2:

Not fun at all.

 

[turnkey4099]

Out here in the Palouse (North West) it appears that the Black Locust is an import from other regions. I never see it except around farmsteads, fence rows or windbreaks. Seems to be fairly easy to keep out of the fields but once mature they drop a lot of crap into the worked areas.

Harry K

 

[njtuna]

according to the audobon guide to trees, black locust was brought out west and planted for timber frames in mining, among other things. it is native east of the rockies, i think. been a while since i read the guide.

 

[Mike Van]

Here's a real "action shot" from this morning - The logs 14 ft long, 22" on the small end. These have to go on the 9 ft bed big end first, or they don't wanna stay there. Usually with the bigger ones, I just get one end on, let the winch or boom off, move the hitch out, and slide it on in.

Hydraulics are amazing, it took me about 5 minutes to load this log - alone -

I put 4 of these on, and called it a load, came back a hour later for load # 25, smaller stuff on that one. Maybe 6 loads to go? Great day for wood, 40 F, North wind at 10 to 20, 2 weeks ago the stinking mosquito's would carry you away.

 

[husky455rancher]

nice pics, you have some nice equipment there too.

 

[Mike Van]

This job is done!

I brought load # 33 home today, thats all there is. Locust stacked up everywhere. First pic wound up the biggest pile, about 7 ft. tall, 30 ft long & 16 ft wide. The 2nd pic is the same pile from the other side, my house in the background.

This wasn't where I wanted them all, but the lot in back got too wet.

The next pic is some sawlogs I sorted while unloading.

Last two pics are some more, mostly tops & small stuff. There was probably 2 cord of dead standing, leaning or laying on the ground locust too, I've been burning some now, it's good heat.

I figure every load I hauled had a good cord on it, some more. 33 cord would be a real good estimate.

I'm kind of glad to be done, before the snotty weather gets here. I've got about a week of lawn/leaf cleanup to do here. By day 2 I'll wish I was back in the woods!

 

[turnkey4099]

quote:

The next pic is some sawlogs I sorted while unloading.

unquote

Saw logs? I didn't know locust worked for making boards. I see the firewood check badly while drying and assumed that would obviate cutting lumber from it.

Harry K

 

[Mike Van]

I saw a lot of it on my band mill, 6x6's & bigger for sills, 2" thick for trailers, and 3" thick for bridge decks. Lots of people [me included] hate pressure treated lumber, locust has it's own rot resistance quality without the chemicals.

 

[turnkey4099]

I saw a lot of it on my band mill, 6x6's & bigger for sills, 2" thick for trailers, and 3" thick for bridge decks. Lots of people [me included] hate pressure treated lumber, locust has it's own rot resistance quality without the chemicals.

I forgot about the big timber aspect of it. I was thinking of 1x stuff. When I rehabbed this old house, I took out several 4x4 locust posts that were buried in the dirt/mud holding up the main support beams. Had to have been in there for a minimum of 30 years. Thought they were rotted. Nope - just in about 1/4 inch. Finally had to chainsaw them off.

Harry K