Splitting hairs

Two days of torturous splitting of the 1-metre logs I got out of the forest. Generally, I prefer to cut the wood into 3 x 33cm logs & then split but with the amount to be done & as it will need a year to dry properly, have gone for the easier solution at least in the short term. Has the advantage that stacking is, or rather should be, easier.

As I mentioned the other day, almost all the spruce which is 95% of the wood is incredibly twisted. I have no idea why this should be so marked in this case, nor if there is any connection to why they suffered so badly from the winter weather which was not particularly stormy.

Normally with my splitter, the logs spring apart when the knife is about 1/3 through but this time it was a horrible "crushing" type sound and no reaction other than lots of splintered wood and also meant I had to raise the platform and run the knife through the entire length. Basically, double the normal workload.

It also meant it was hell to try and make relatively level piles. As can be seen on the lower picture, the logs turned through 180° within the 1 metre, so the flat side on one end was the tall side at the other. The bottom log is one that was almost straight.

The small 10cm diameter logs were lots of effort for little wood & for the bigger 20cm+ ones was heavy work. Never mind, job done. Will ask Forestry Commission for a discount!

Many if not most trees naturally turn left or right (& indeed both directions) and as far as I know, a phenomenon of which as much is known as to why humans are left or right handed. In the timber business, it is critical as such wood is far from ideal for many uses eg timber flooring or furniture.