I've got a good buddy who manages a 500 or so acre ranch about ten miles from my house. He has always told me to help myself to any of the down or standing dead wood out there. Virtually alll various oaks. High percentage of Water Oak - my favorite tree. Today I drove out there just to check it out. He takes his big tractor and pushes all downed trees into a dry creek bed. Below are pics of what I have to work with. All mine for the taking. Easy access, too. I pull my truck and trailer across a pasture and right up to the wood. Much of this wood has been down for two or three years. No signs of rot, and the limbs are ready to burn now, which will help since I'm running low for this winter's burning. The rest should keep me in good shape for a few years at my burn rate of maybe 1.5 cords per year.
He also has about 30 standing dead oaks on his own ranch nearby. All these oaks are big and have died off recently due to some disease. I can have all of those trees that I want... if I ever have time to go get them.
Today's find:
He also has about 30 standing dead oaks on his own ranch nearby. All these oaks are big and have died off recently due to some disease. I can have all of those trees that I want... if I ever have time to go get them.
Today's find: