Splitting Wood

[carnivore]

Most of my cooking wood has either been purchaced already seasoned or cut from trees and large limbs that have been dead for a few months before I got them. As a result of the latest huricane I have several unsplit logs that were from trees that were alive 2 weeks ago. My question to all of you is: is it best to split the wood now and then let it set for 6-9 months and then use it or...or... let the logs set a few months and then split them??

[Oli]

Yes..Split some now and, leave some whole to split later... it will dry out and season faster once it is split.

[bigwheel]

Best bet on splitting wood is get your little bride to do it. Dry wood splits much mo betta than green wood. I cut her some slack and wait six months or year or so. No need to over tax em ya know?

biigwheel

[JamesB]

If it happens to be pecan, I would split it right now! That wood is a ****** to split once it dries out...

James.

[txpgapro]

Cut and split now. Much eaiser now, and will dry out faster.

[Woodman]

SPLIT NOW!!!! I just split a load of apple that had been sitting six months last Saturday!!! My body still hurts! Apple is a *****!!!!

[Zeeman]

Cut, spit, stack it ALL while it's still green. Much easier on you, your saw, your help, to do while green. Like I said before "keep saw out of the dirt and the bark towards you".
Have fun. We are working on several trees that blew down, white oak, red oak, pin oak, pecan.
I hope to have enough wood for the next 5-6 years.
z

[gsmith]

I'm with the ones who said split it now!!!

[Buster]

If it happens to be pecan, I would split it right now! That wood is a ****** to split once it dries out...

James.

Yep, I agree. Learned the hard way on some pecan in '99.

On all the woods around here(pecan, live oak, red oak and mesquite) I've had the easiest time splitting while wet. Seasons MUCH faster too. Have even has some whole logs rot from the center.

JamesB, btw, I already cooked with the mesquite I got around here the first part of August. The pieces were split down to hand size pieces...say...3"x 6or 8" and left to bake in the sun. I tested with turkey legs and they came out just fine. Figgered poultry would be the most sensitive to the ill effects of mesquite. Came out with a good color.

I could tell the new mesquite burned a little slower than the really dry wood I have. Ought to be perfect next Spring.

[JamesB]

Hey Buster...

Mighty brave of ya to cook on mesquite that is still that new. I like mesquite, but I have to let if season fer 'bout 9 - 12 months 'fore I go to burning it around meat...

Good to hear that ya got it wupped!

James.

[carnivore]

I guess i will split it next weekend. Don't think it would do my love life any good to even suggest having the wife do it.. She'd probably split my head while I sleep.

I will do that next weekend as well as finish the gate I am building in the back fence that will allow me to get the new gator into the back yard.. Ritch says it is looking like it may be ready by Q fest...If so I will definately take it with me and spend time tuning and oiling it up while I drink beer with most you you guys.....should be great..