Making mulch or trim wood - best approach?

17 years ago

I have a pile of about 50 ash tree logs that were just cut - unfortunate victims of the emerald ash borer. I have been trying to figure out what to do with the logs - I already have plenty of firewood and a stash of nice hardwood logs for future splitting to last me years. The ash tree logs are about 20 feet long and most are less than 20 inches in diameter - a few might get to 24" or so.

I have a need for a large amount of mulch for my landscaping projects and thought that the ash trees might make some good wood chip mulch. The question is - what is the best way to make it. I can rent a chipper that can handle a 10 inch diameter log - but none of these logs would fit. I thought about cutting logs - then splitting them - then chipping the logs. Or - I could use one of those portable chain saw mills (like the Alaskan MK III by Granberg) to cut chunks of lumber that would fit into the chipper. I guess a third option would be to hire someone with a portable band saw mill to cut the chunks and then I could chip it - but I have no idea on how much that would cost.

One other thought I had was to pay someone with a portable mill to cut the lumber but instead of using it as mulch - use it when I finish my basement. I know ash is nice for baseball bats and some use it as flooring - but I am not sure how good ash is for trim, wanescotting, and other trim products. I am a few years away from the basement project so I don't even know what type of trimmings I need. All i know at this point is that I want a design like a very old pub with lots of wood and stone.

Does anyone have a suggestions on how I might attack this problem? I don't mind spending a few weekends chipping wood but time time and effort to cut the wood so it will fit into the chipper is a big concern. I have read a number of posts about the Granberg devices - some are favorable but most say it is a huge time sync.

If I spend money on having the wood cut I would like a usable product in the end that I otherwise would have had to pay for and that I have a real need for. Good hardwood mulch costs about 600 dollars for 20 cubic yards delivered around here. I figure (just a ball park - and I am notoriously wrong on these types of estimates) that I have maybe 80 cubic yards of mulch in the pile of 50 logs and I have a need for it. So if I can get it chipped for under 2400 bucks I break even.

Using the ash as trim wood for the basement might be worth even more money to me but I am not sure if I can use it given this beetle issue or if the ash wood would even be a good use for that project.

Any advise would be reatly appreciated.

Thanks

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Comments (3)

PRO
Steven Laurin & Company
17 years ago
Mulch is a by-product of lumber processing - essentially branch trimmings and bark run through industrial chippers and shredders. Please don't take offense to this and perhaps it is not abnormal, but the idea of a land owner reducing (50) 20-24" x 20 ft ash trunks into mulch - simply boggles my mind. Hiring a crew to do this can't be cost effective and if attempted with rented equipment and helpers, just think of the time and effort required and loss of time which would otherwise be billed out.

Regarding the use of ash as architectural trim or casework - as a self-employed architect, I have never encountered any client who requested this species for finished work. White ash flooring perhaps, but unless worm holes are desirable, the board lengths may end up very short, after cutting out all the wormy sections. I suppose there is some green value to the reuse of native hardwood from one's' own property - only you can decide if that choice has value.

My opinion is to focus on locating a company or individual with a demand for raw timber - either for lumber use or cord-wood, and offer the whole lot for sale.
sniffdog
Original Author
17 years ago
The issue is the emerald ash borer. The ash wood is quarentined and must stay in my county which sverely limits the people who might have a need for it. I had a guy up at the house who makes his own lumber for furnitire and resale. He had zero interest in the ash - it is simply no good to him other than for firewood which he has has no need for. He told me to either let it rot, cut it up for firewood, or just dig a big hole and burn it.

I appreciate the comment on the ash as not good for trim wood. I had a feeling this was the case. I have seen it used on flooring and wasn't thrilled with the look of the grain.

The only options for me are that that the ash logs will either be turned into firewood - which I already have enough to last me for many years - or it is going to get chipped into mulch which I have a need for. The question I asked is what is the best way to do it.

Cutting the wood into logs and splitting it may take a while but I could hire some people to do this. Once the wood is split, it can then be thrown into a chipper. In the end I get a nice pile of wood chips which I will use in my landscaping and at the same time remove the log pile which will more than likely rot on my land. To me this is a good use of trees that will otherwise just rot away.

I understand that mulch is typically a byproduct of tree limbs etc. But dead wood is dead wood and a chipper knows no difference.
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masiman
17 years ago
The Alaskan mills can be fun IF you are into milling. You can transport them to some otherwise inaccessible logs. However, they are a huge time sink as you have heard. Additionally, you'll need a pretty big saw to do the work (at least 70cc, preferably more). After one or two logs, I think you would give up the idea.

I think you'd be better off making firewood. 1) You could sell it on Craigslist. 2) You could chip it if you wanted to 3) You would not need extra equipment than what it sounds like you already have 4) Alot quicker and cheaper than any milling you could do.