Hand Tools and Machinery for Country Living

[ides1056]

My first saw was and is the Stihl in question: earlier model is all. It does everything well. Use the green chains that lessen the possibility of kickback. Use a scabbard or case to protect the saw and chain. Get a peavey, absolutely. Way easier to roll a log.

You will find many spalted maples around, and they need to be pretty good sized to make sense sawing up. Often they are just punky.

[j44ke]

Thanks. I have a nice list of chainsaw models now, so I'll be able to go in and make a total pest of myself at the Stihl and Husqvarna dealers.

I bought an axe and finished off clearing the maple from the road. Much more effective. Practiced my technique, which is non-existent (think I heard some beavers laughing in the distance) but improved with each whack. The "false heartwood" I left and finished off with one of the saws. The axe didn't like the dark stuff, but the saw did a good job. Much faster than last effort.

Seems like the dark mark might be from sapstreak disease. That's a fungal infection that ruins sugar maple farms. I sent a photo to one of the botanists who did the plant survey of our land. Not sure what I'll do about it if so. We have a ton of sugar maples. Just be one more thing killing the trees.

Realize I am making work for myself but that's kind of the goal. Not like I don't need the upper body exercise. I mean, other than lifting a half full coffee cup from the table to my face on a regular basis. Feel the burn.