Possible scrounge, but maybe I should pass?

[Eagleknight]

They are soon going to be turning the local Krogers into a super Kroger and noticed they started to clear some adjancent land and had all the trees cut down. I stopped in and talked to the guy from the excavating company if they wanted some of that wood hauled away. He said they were just going to haul it away. He told me to check back today when the owner would be there. He had a pretty big pile already, but stumps and dirt is looking like it is all mixed in. I wander if it would be more hassle then it is worth now if the wood has mud on it. I would dull my chains quick if I ran into mud.

 

[Cheesecutter]

To me it would depend the type of wood. Oak, hard maple, hickory make me drool, where as soft junk wood I tend to pass. For me, its just not worth fighting the mess for box elder and such.

 

[1 stihl nut]

Also, how well equipped to get in there, get it loaded and get out of there in a reasonable amount of time?

Commercial ventures aren't so inclined to have people fiddling around on site with no real benefit to them. If you can get in, cut the trunk off the stump, pull it out of the pile, delimb it, and get it loaded quickly, that would be best. Avoid bucking on site. Make cuts where the dirt ain't, and only as many as necessary. I would guess you'll need truck or tractor to pull pieces out.

Haul it home and let the rain clean it a bit, power wash it, or get the bark off. Perhap use semi chisel chain.

But like said, only if it's worthy wood.

 

[Eagleknight]

Yea, time frame is probably a limiting factor. They probably just want to get it all cleared. They already have large pipes on site. Maybe if I give the contractor my contact info he can give me a heads up in the future if he is clearing trees.

 

[SteveSS]

Any chance of working a deal with the contractor to have the logs delivered to your own property where you could take your time with it? Maybe flip him a $50?

 

[Marshy]

Better meet the foreman at the job site in the morning with doughnuts ASAP and leave him your number. Doughnuts can work magic.

 

[Eagleknight]

I was able to stop by today and the guy I talked to said he was Ok with me taking some, but they are going to start hauling it away tomorrow. I am glad when I went back later today with the trailer the power crew was gone because they had like 3 bucket trucks and 2 pickups around and didn't want to get in the way. A lot of walnut in the mix. I think I got a little oak, ash and then some buckeye.

 

[Marshy]

Thats worth picking at while its available. Looks like some back cherry and ash too.

 

[SteveSS]

Heck yeah! If you had the time, you could spend a couple days in there hauling out goodies.

 

[robespierre]

Looks like a good scrounge, no matter what people say around here burn the walnut

 

[Eagleknight]

I got a second load, but man it was getting cold like 10 degree when I went back at dusk. When I pulled in this guy on a bike stop and asks me if I had permission and I told him I did and talked tot two different people. He said he saw a truck there last night somebody stealing some. Go figure. The guy told me he actually work for the tree company that did the job was the one who cut the trees down. He pointed to a couple different logs and said one was honey locust. I think it was, but not sure I didn't see any thorns. I don't know my trees that well yet. Looking at some bark ID's I saw some hackberry, shag bark hickory, bitternut hickory, then the walnut of course. I will have to take some pictures to ID. Uhh oh I think I have the fever for sure.

 

[Marshy]

You might find it useful to take a chain and or a come-along to pull some logs from the mess. More pics when you get a chance!

 

[Eagleknight]

I got the second load unloaded and took some pics... help me ID.

My guess on these first two are bitternut hickory.

Third shag bark hickory?

The guy that showed up said honey locust, but I didn't see thorns.

Hackberry?

Last two ash or one an oak?

 

[SteveSS]

Not all honey locust have thorns.

 

[SteveSS]

Yep, on the Hackberry.

 

[Marshy]

Omg, that looks like prime firewood to me. It's almost impossible to get that kind of mixed hardwood for free in my area.

 

[Dogsout]

Before I messed with a come-a-long I would buy a pair of wood tongs. Put the two hooks into the wood and attach the chain into the handle of the tongs. When pulling it tightens the tongs down into the log. Works great, I think I got my tongs from F and F on sale for like $40 bucks.

 

[mperkins582]

the honey locust is probably a "skyline" honey locust. thornless, heavy as hell, and a little stringy when split.

 

[Oldmaple]

I agree on the Honey Locust, Hackberry and Ash. The others I can't see that well.