Spliting poplar

[Tagerts_crossing]

  Need info on spliting poplar.  I have read on here about spliting oak with wedgs and powder.  How does this work with poplar.  I have some 36"-40" poplar that are to big for the mill,  most with no limbs or defects that I can see to cause grain problems.  Thanks John


   Also is it wise to try to split off center, like try to split a large slab off or just split in the middle

[Kevin]

Another option is to run the chainsaw down the length of the log , cut a jack seat in the end and jack it open with a hydraulic jack.

[Tagerts_crossing]

  Kevin, do you mean score the log with the chainsaw or slice off a slab?  I have thought about using a chalk line to mark the sides of the slab and cut off.  I have saws with 36" bars but don't have any ripping chains, not sure how well this will work cutting this far.   John

[Kevin]

Just bury the bar and rip down the center of the log.
Leave a little bar out to clear the cuttings.
Run the bar down the full face of the log also.
Full skip is better if you can get your mitts on it but what ever chain you use crank up the oil output and giv'er.
As you extend the jack drop some chunks of wood in the crack to keep it open so it will stay open while you reset the jack if needed.

[Jeff]

Draw us a picture of a jackseat eh Kevin?

[Kevin]

Looks like...

[Bro. Noble]

Kevin,

I've seen people cut a place for a jack in the backside of extremely large trees to get them to fall the right way-----easier than wedging the big ones.

I've never worked with poplar.  It doesn't have interlocking grain like sycamore and cottonwood does it?

One benefit to this frigid weather we've been having,  frozen wood splits easier.

Noble

Noble

[Kevin]

Noble;
I`ve had two types of poplar.
Good and bad.
Some get really stressed and can be trouble.
I don't know if this is a good description but I find it stringy.