Old Irish...Pat,
A few years back my wife and I decided that we would start heating our home with wood. Like most things, the project evolved into something of a conglomeration. People around the area were looking for someone who could use some firewood, because they were taking down trees that had either died, or had become storm damaged. I continue to upgrade my equipment so that I can tackle some of these jobs. At first I was accumulating firewood for my own use........but I now have enough firewood handling capacity that I can begin selling it.
I don't have a lot to choose from as far as tree species go. The majority of my firewood is recovered from tree rows (shelterbelts) that were planted in the late 40s and early 50s as a way of preventing soil erosion due to the constant winds here in the northern great plains. It's now been 60 years since these tree rows were planted. A lot has changed in 60 years.....namely farming methods.
These tree rows once held back winter snows, providing moisture to the crops. However, with the switch to no-till farming methods, crop moisture is preserved simply by leaving the soil unturned. The previous year's crop residue traps plenty of moisture, and provides shade to the soil, preventing most of the evaporation that once took place. So these trees.....which still hold loads of snow each winter......have suddenly become a problem. The moisture these trees hold back now prevents the farmers from gaining access to their fields due to the muddy conditions, which never seem to end. The trees have to go.
I prefer to harvest the Green ash and the Elms. I don't much care for the Boxelder, Carragana, or Russian Olive, I have no use at all for the various pines.........but it's a situation where I can't be picky. If I want one tree, I have to take them all.
So.......to help make use of the stuff I won't burn in the furnace, my son-in-law purchased a sawmill. He's now making lumber for a few customers, and I'm making more firewood than I can possibly burn. Our business venture is growing....slowly.....but we operate on a very small scale. As we pick up additional customers, I'm sure we'll also pick up some larger expenses......er.. larger equipment.
This is a great group of people, but I often feel out of place here. I've just barely grown out of the 'hobby' stage as far as this firewood business goes. But, I'm never afraid of studying, learning, or attempting new approaches.
Joel
