Pages

January 12, 2011

Got Wood?

"I hammered up the trail, 
passing rocks and trees as if they were standing still."
--Red Fisher

Since I'm "riding the pine" (on the bench) regarding regular trail running, the trees ARE standing still. What an opportunity to take a closer look at these forests and learn what wood stands in this rich area of the Monadnock Region. 

Helping to haul and split wood this fall also provided an outdoor classroom along with several daily lessons as I feed the stove. My teacher hasn't advanced my lessons to speaking in caudes or Latin ligni lingo— yet.  But he is schooling me with some pop quizzes from the wood pile. 
As we gather the split logs & limbs from a seasoned pile, load our hand carriers, and restock the wood bin, I do my best to name the trees before, saying thanks and so long as I feed another log to the flames.  And, just when I think I've nailed it, timber turns to ash.

Dave heats primarily with wood from his land that he cuts with his chainsaw(s). He's still cleaning up the fallen trees from the ice storm a few years ago, and selects trees that are part of a longer-term "bring back the field" plan. He estimates his gasoline consumption per season between three to five gallons, to operate his saws, tractor and splitter. There's the manual labor, too, four cords later.

Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice.
—Henry Ford 

We joked that the wood warms you w'acres more. I estimate about 10+ times: traveling to the tree, sectioning & cutting, loading & unloading, lifting to the splitter (&/or splitting by hand),  catching from splitting block and neatly stacking for seasoning. Then perhaps relocating the wood to a more accessible location, carrying bundles to stove area, and loading the stove. HEAT.

I pine for Pin Cherry!

Inspiration: Peter Galbert's Chair Notes blog. 
A Resource for Windsor Chair Makers and Woodworkers. 

The Wood Database: By Woodworkers, For Woodworkers.

4 comments:

Lalaith Means Laughter said...

I need some training with splitting wood for my next race...can you teach me?

Jordan said...

I'm jealous. I just ran out of wood and I don't have any trees to cut down...or a chainsaw.

Laurel said...

Holy Hemlock, I majored in forestry before becoming a nurse (and ultrarunner). We'll have to talk trees some time!

Trail Pixie Trespas said...

Laurel, Yes we'll need to talk! I love that Ultra/running brings together people from so many varied backgrounds!
Jordan, you know where to come and pitch a tent...the North 40. We have many nice spots for you from which to select (you just need to get city mouse to understand the country mouse ways...;0)). Michelle,I will try to teach you but you how hard it can be to teach teachers. LOL. xo