I answered a post on facebook marketplace from a guy that had some cherry trees taken down and wanted someone to cut them up and take them away. I was first to respond and determined one tree was curvy and would be fine for firewood. The other two were just too nice for that so I saved the logs for milling. I don't have a specific use for cherry lumber at this time but I'll think of something.

Firewood tree:



Logs for lumber:

I keep the eyes peeled for firewood deals, often early Spring when less are looking. My pile is about 2 years out, so not sweating anything.

I’m not to picky, I’ll mix in some of the less quality wood, seasoned of course. One wood I turn my nose up at is Willow, I need a line somewhere.

I’ve done much by hand over the years, most splitting with a maul & wedges. I had been borrowing a friends splitter but treated myself to a commercial Iron & Oak splitter a few years ago. It looks like you could use one. With some wood, modest sized Red Oak, a maul is as fast as using a spitter. I look at it as a form of exercise.

A number of years ago I had a surprise visit from the gas company, here to check my meter. Once he saw my wood pile he understood the reason my bill was low.

Some of that crotch wood will have beautiful grain patterns. Might be worth looking at while cutting.

Locally the township cut a few walnuts that were along side the road. They were going to a landfill and I took them to the sawmill instead. While some is lost to twisting while drying, I still got some incredibly beautiful wood form them.