Fallen oak

[valleyman]

Hi guys, looking some advice on what to do with this oak that came down in the storm. It's wasn't in the best shape (pic attached) but was extremely old. I reckon it is bewteen 4-5m circumference at chest height. I've had an offer to remove for firewood but could it be used for boards etc? Would prefer it to be used for something long lasting rather than up a chimney. If going for firewood would it be reasonable to split it 50/50 with no money changing hands? 

[Ar369]

Where are you in the country? I am not a professional, but do some milling as a hobby. If you were nearby, I would be happy to see what could be milled and split the boards with you. 

[valleyman]

Thanks all for your input. The tree is beside a lane (root actually took a bit out with it) so access isn't an issue. I'd be happy taking the limbs for my own use, but is there a general rule of thumb about the ratio/ volume of wood from the trunk compared to the branches? Appreciate the bulk of the work will be in handling the trunk (just over 4m circumference). Based in Northern Ireland. 

Edited January 27 by valleyman

[Dan Maynard]

13 hours ago, valleyman said:

general rule of thumb about the ratio/ volume of wood from the trunk compared to the branches

I wouldn't say so, depends on the situation. Woodland trees have a lot more stem than branches, open grown trees may have a lot more branches than stem. If you have the right saw that trunk won't be a problem, it's not going to be an Aldi special.

[Ar369]

23 hours ago, valleyman said:

Thanks all for your input. The tree is beside a lane (root actually took a bit out with it) so access isn't an issue. I'd be happy taking the limbs for my own use, but is there a general rule of thumb about the ratio/ volume of wood from the trunk compared to the branches? Appreciate the bulk of the work will be in handling the trunk (just over 4m circumference). Based in Northern Ireland. 

Ah. I am in Reading unfortunately. Good luck with finding someone to deal with it. Perhaps this is the excuse you need to start looking on eBay for a big saw?

[Steven P]

DIY Option: If this is the only tree you might cut up, then by the time you buy a saw and all the PPE, the cost will be nearly equal to paying someone to deal with it. Take a chance to sell the saw on afterwards and you might get do it cheaper... if you own a saw or want one anyway this is an option. Looks like the trunk is fairly settled on the ground so with care, appropriate safety kit and thought you should be able to clear away most of the branches with a smaller saw, cut them to size for firewood - looks like you have space to split them and let them dry?

 

Trunk is going to be about 2m useful length above the fence line? Might get someone local to offer you something for that.... and the easier it is to remove the better.

 

[Muddy42]

Here is a picture of my current playground (a few weeks ago now).  I'm slowly working my way through this massive oak.  I havn't measured it but the butt is probably 8ft in diameter and I can see a few stones in it.  So far I've been cutting logs at the weekend and splitting and stacking during the week after work as my daily exercise.  The logs will be for personal use in my house. I'll be able to speed up when the days get longer.  I'll probably mill some of the medium sized bits in the summer.  The butt looks quite rotten and probably too big for my 5ft bar and/or the loader.  Unfortunately I find selling hardwood makes marginal economic sense after I account for the fuel, machinery and hours involved. Id have to pay someone with a forwarder to help move the butt. Also I expect the country will be awash with hardwood after the recent storms.

[openspaceman]

3 hours ago, Steven P said:

 

Trunk is going to be about 2m useful length above the fence line? Might get someone local to offer you something for that.... and the easier it is to remove the better.

 

A 60c saw is what I would use on ringing up a tree like this and it is possible  to deal with even the trunk with an 18" bar by cutting it into cuboidal chunks in the same way a lucas sawmill cuts one vertical pass then one horizontal one to make a beam. It is hard on the saw (and operator) and more work than cutting rings then splitting but I have done it.

[Stubby]

1 minute ago, openspaceman said:

A 60c saw is what I would use on ringing up a tree like this and it is possible  to deal with even the trunk with an 18" bar by cutting it into cuboidal chunks in the same way a lucas sawmill cuts one vertical pass then one horizontal one to make a beam. It is hard on the saw (and operator) and more work than cutting rings then splitting but I have done it.

I could do that but I wouldst coz I have some big saws 🙂

[openspaceman]

1 minute ago, Stubby said:

I could do that but I wouldst coz I have some big saws 🙂

So do I but the OP may not. I am suggesting that the little saws, even the husky 550 may not survive too long doing a job like this.

[Stubby]

2 minutes ago, openspaceman said:

So do I but the OP may not. I am suggesting that the little saws, even the husky 550 may not survive too long doing a job like this.

Soz . I thought you said " A 60cc saw is what I would use " ....