The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Firewood and Wood Heating => Topic started by: ReggieT on February 04, 2014, 12:42:23 AM

Title: Osage Orange/Hedge Bet??
Post by: ReggieT on February 04, 2014, 12:42:23 AM
Alright after responding to a post on hedge I called a good friend of mine (Lumber-Jack). He agreed & wants to make a friendly wager that these hedge bottoms I let lay for about a year & a half cannot be cut, without major damage to my chains, chainsaw or ego.
He swears up & down that they have now reached the stage of almost "virtual petrification"...yeah, right!  ::)
Here are the pics...have any of you guys encountered problems cutting or bucking downed Osage Orange after a year or so?

ps...my "ace in the hole" is I gotta Husky 395XP I'm picking up in a few days!!! 8)

Thanks
Reg

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/34286/IMAG0021.jpg)
Title: Re: Osage Orange/Hedge Bet??
Post by: Oliver1655 on February 04, 2014, 06:28:00 AM
They are hard on chains but not un-cutable.  Definitely use semi chisel. I have found Stihl chain to hold up better for this type of cutting.
Title: Re: Osage Orange/Hedge Bet??
Post by: Seaman on February 04, 2014, 06:48:24 AM
I would love to have a couple of those to slab. I haven't seen one here in NC over six inches.
Frank
Title: Re: Osage Orange/Hedge Bet??
Post by: Al_Smith on February 04, 2014, 07:16:31 AM
At one time they used osage for decking on machinery trailers like the kind used to haul tracked equipment .That stuff can with stand bulldozer tracks better than white oak .

That and fence posts and firewood .What else it's good for I haven't a clue ,billy clubs maybe .Geeze that would be like getting bonked with an iron pipe .
Title: Re: Osage Orange/Hedge Bet??
Post by: ReggieT on February 04, 2014, 07:50:20 PM
Thanks guys...if the Husky deal falls through can my trusty 034 with semi chain do the job?...it really rips with the chisel & 20" bar! 8)
Title: Re: Osage Orange/Hedge Bet??
Post by: Magicman on February 05, 2014, 08:42:48 AM
I wanta see ah picture of the slabs, or is it going for only firewood?
Title: Re: Osage Orange/Hedge Bet??
Post by: Al_Smith on February 05, 2014, 08:51:15 AM
Just leave the chisel chain on it .When it gets dull file it .

To me it's six of one half dozen of another talking chisel to semi .Semi might take more abuse but doesn't cut as fast .Chisel cuts faster but dulls faster on hard stuff .

Now on something like a low stump cut or wood that been wallered around in the dirt by a skidloader semi is a better option .
Title: Re: Osage Orange/Hedge Bet??
Post by: ReggieT on February 05, 2014, 12:43:29 PM
Quote from: Magicman on February 05, 2014, 08:42:48 AM
I wanta see ah picture of the slabs, or is it going for only firewood?

Firewood only...they are real twisted & knarley...think I may have seen a rather large hornets nest nestled between a couple of upright logs also...hmm!!! :'(
Title: Re: Osage Orange/Hedge Bet??
Post by: sam-tip on February 09, 2014, 08:27:56 AM
Hope the 395 is ported.  Takes lots of power to cut hedge.  I would use a 3120xp on big hedge.  My 346xp will not cut hedge.  It just bounces off.  I think you will loose some chain on those logs.  You better have some spare chains.

Hedge burns so hot.  Thought my boiler was going to boil over with just a 2 inch by 12 inch round cookie of hedge.
Title: Re: Osage Orange/Hedge Bet??
Post by: Jack72 on February 09, 2014, 08:38:56 AM
Quote from: sam-tip on February 09, 2014, 08:27:56 AM
Hope the 395 is ported.  Takes lots of power to cut hedge.  I would use a 3120xp on big hedge.  My 346xp will not cut hedge.  It just bounces off.  I think you will loose some chain on those logs.  You better have some spare chains.

Hedge burns so hot.  Thought my boiler was going to boil over with just a 2 inch by 12 inch round cookie of hedge.

I'm not sure if there is different types of hedge but my bark looks the same as the pic I've cut some with smoother bark too        It does burn hot and seasons quicker than most.

Not to not agree with Sam but my Stihl 046 magnum chews it up I don't notice any difference than cutting oak.

Jack
Title: Re: Osage Orange/Hedge Bet??
Post by: woodsteach on February 09, 2014, 10:21:16 AM
I've been burning OLD hedge posts 50+ years old, in my soapstone stove for 3 years, they cut just fine with my 310 stihl, the only problems that I have is the nails, staples, and dirt.  Take the bet, they will cut just fine.
Title: Re: Osage Orange/Hedge Bet??
Post by: ReggieT on February 10, 2014, 09:25:04 PM
Quote from: woodsteach on February 09, 2014, 10:21:16 AM
I've been burning OLD hedge posts 50+ years old, in my soapstone stove for 3 years, they cut just fine with my 310 stihl, the only problems that I have is the nails, staples, and dirt.  Take the bet, they will cut just fine.
8)
Title: Re: Osage Orange/Hedge Bet??
Post by: ReggieT on February 10, 2014, 09:26:12 PM
Quote from: Jack72 on February 09, 2014, 08:38:56 AM
Quote from: sam-tip on February 09, 2014, 08:27:56 AM
Hope the 395 is ported.  Takes lots of power to cut hedge.  I would use a 3120xp on big hedge.  My 346xp will not cut hedge.  It just bounces off.  I think you will loose some chain on those logs.  You better have some spare chains.

Hedge burns so hot.  Thought my boiler was going to boil over with just a 2 inch by 12 inch round cookie of hedge.

I'm not sure if there is different types of hedge but my bark looks the same as the pic I've cut some with smoother bark too        It does burn hot and seasons quicker than most.

Not to not agree with Sam but my Stihl 046 magnum chews it up I don't notice any difference than cutting oak.

Jack

8)
Title: Re: Osage Orange/Hedge Bet??
Post by: skeetsman on February 14, 2014, 08:32:59 PM
I agree hedge is the hottest burning wood we have around here, sparks pretty bad too. Speaking of sparks, ever cut hedge when it dusk out. The sparks will fly if dry.  I use a 365 full skip 20in bar. It seems to plow through all but the biggies.three foot is a monster.