Burn Piles: A Tale of Overwhelming Work and Fun

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan Seeking
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the experiences and challenges of managing burn piles after tree removal. Participants share personal anecdotes related to the process of cutting down trees, burning the debris, and the implications of such activities, touching on themes of labor, safety, and environmental impact.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the overwhelming task of cutting down and burning trees, noting the physical toll it takes.
  • Another shares a cautionary tale about a previous burn pile that became uncontrollable, leading to a vow to avoid fires in the future.
  • A question is raised regarding the choice to burn the wood immediately rather than storing it for future use as firewood.
  • It is noted that burn piles typically consist of brush rather than valuable lumber.
  • One participant expresses a belief that the effort involved in obtaining wood is more valuable than the wood itself, highlighting a lack of interest from others in taking free wood.
  • Another participant inquires about the size and type of trees involved in the burn piles, seeking details on their potential value for lumber.
  • A participant mentions that most of the larger logs have been saved for landscaping purposes, indicating a strategic approach to managing the remaining materials.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of experiences and opinions regarding the management of burn piles, with no clear consensus on the best practices or the value of the wood involved. The discussion includes both cautionary and practical perspectives on burning debris.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reflect on the safety risks associated with burning large piles of debris, while others focus on the environmental implications of their actions. The discussion does not resolve the differing views on the value of wood and the decision-making process regarding its disposal.

Ivan Seeking
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
8,215
Reaction score
2,662
We had to drop about 30 small trees. We paid to have them dropped as there were power lines and the house to contend with. Then I started with a chainsaw on Thursday with an estimated four semis full of trees - according to the bid - and we continued sawing and burning all weekend. Talk about an overwhelming job! Today my arms don't want to bend...:cry: I feel like The Hulk.

I think about half is gone and we have two more burn piles, each about the size of a car, ready to go. One didn't take off so it looks like I'll have to use gasoline on that one...fun stuff! Tsu LOVES doing burn piles :biggrin:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I once had to do a similar project, although it wasn't with as many trees. We had about twenty, but I stacked them all together and lit it on fire. Unfortuantly it was just a tad bit too big to control, and before long the fire was threatening both my house and the surrounding forest. By the time we finally got it put out I had taken as sacred vow never to come near a fire again.

Ten minutes later we separated the piles and lit them again with gasoline. :wink:
 
Why is it you burn them right away instead of storing them to be used as fire place wood?
 
Burn piles are mostly the brush from trees..not the good wood.
 
Nope, we burned it all. We don't burn wood anymore and it turns out that wood in and of itself has no value. The only value is the work that it takes to get it. I have offered free wood to at least ten people, many of whom wanted to tell me all about what I should do with it to make money, but, interestingly, none of them were interested. :rolleyes:

But that's okay. With the other 180 trees or so, many of which are quite large, our carbon footprint is probably a negative impression. :biggrin:
 
Burning piles? :eek: Sounds like someone needs some industrial strength Preparation H! :cry:

-Dan
 
How big diameter trees were they? What type of trees? Anything of value for lumber?
 
All little fir trees with some maple mixed in. Not more than an 8 inch diameter at the base less two that were approaching a 12 inch diameter.

We have managed to save most of the big logs by incorporating them into the landscaping. Only one or maybe two burn piles up top, with one big one ready down in the pasture, and we're about done with this leg of the project.
 
topsquark said:
Burning piles? :eek: Sounds like someone needs some industrial strength Preparation H! :cry:

-Dan
:smile: :smile:
 

Similar threads

Other Can You Succeed in Astronomy Without Strong Spatial Ability?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Current and Future AI Threats to Humanity and the Human Response
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
Fork in the road, each path leads to possibly more disappointment.
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
8K
Mathematica This Week's Finds in Mathematical Physics (Week 241)
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
What role do humans play in nature?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K