7 Years Dead Hickory Tree...

Q-Dat · 11-16-2012, 10:34 AM

In the woods on my Dad's property is a big Hickory tree that got snapped at the trunk during Hurricane Katrina. The main body of the tree has been held off the ground so it is not rotten, but I have never heard of anyone using wood this old.

OK so wood experts: Assuming that I can even cut this wood (I'm guessing it must be incredibly hard by now) would it be worth using?

neuyawk · 11-16-2012, 10:36 AM

I'm sure she'll burn just fine. For stuff that old, I just use it to preheat my pit and save the good stuff for when the meat's on.

chad · 11-16-2012, 02:39 PM

If it's been off the ground I'd use it. It'll pretty dry so will burn quickly.

Lake Dogs · 11-16-2012, 02:40 PM

Good wood is good wood; wife tested and verified. Use it.

Swamp Donkeyz BBQ · 11-16-2012, 02:45 PM

I use oak that has been cut and stacked for 5 years and it burns fine. I use it for my comp wood. It is in the hill country so it's not a very moist climate. As long as it hasn't been on the ground and doesn't have any spongy spots in it you should be good to go.

4dueces · 11-16-2012, 03:46 PM

You'll know when you cut into it. I cut and burn hickory all the time, if it is soft an light in weight it's not much good. Bonfire wood.

Q-Dat · 11-17-2012, 08:32 AM

Thanks folks. Now if it just hasn't petrified beyond cutting!

Gnaws on Pigs · 11-17-2012, 09:12 AM

As long as it's not punky, it'll be good. Hickory usually gets borers pretty quickly, but that won't hurt it at all for smoking wood. I dug up some pieces of apple a while back that were about 15 years cut but kept dry, and they worked great.

11-16-2012, 10:34 AM	#1
Q-Dat Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-03-08 Location: Pearl River LA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	7 Years Dead Hickory Tree... In the woods on my Dad's property is a big Hickory tree that got snapped at the trunk during Hurricane Katrina. The main body of the tree has been held off the ground so it is not rotten, but I have never heard of anyone using wood this old. OK so wood experts: Assuming that I can even cut this wood (I'm guessing it must be incredibly hard by now) would it be worth using?

11-16-2012, 10:36 AM	#2
neuyawk is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-15-12 Location: Flushing, Queens NYC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm sure she'll burn just fine. For stuff that old, I just use it to preheat my pit and save the good stuff for when the meat's on. __________________ Bubba Grill Super Cooker. Bringing Carolina Whole Hog BBQ to NYC www.arrogantswine.com

11-16-2012, 02:39 PM	#3
chad somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-13-03 Location: Clearwater, FL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If it's been off the ground I'd use it. It'll pretty dry so will burn quickly. __________________ Dave Southern Brethren BBQ Competition Team "It's all about getting paid!" - Myron Mixon "I love being hated in my hometown!" - David Hair KingFisher Gator Rotisserie cooker, WSM, Stainless 5 burner with IR gas grill, Turkey Fryer, Weber JD Commemorative grill, slightly used Bandera chamber for future use as a cold smoker, Masterbuilt 40" insulated ELECTRIC smoker

11-16-2012, 02:40 PM	#4
Lake Dogs Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-14-09 Location: Lake Sinclair, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Good wood is good wood; wife tested and verified. Use it. __________________ Hance - Lake Dogs Cooking Team - MiM/MBN/GBA CBJ and comp cook Lake Sinclair, GA (strategically about an hour from everywhere)

11-16-2012, 03:46 PM	#6
4dueces is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-19-10 Location: Cornpatch USA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You'll know when you cut into it. I cut and burn hickory all the time, if it is soft an light in weight it's not much good. Bonfire wood. __________________ "Fitz"- The Keeper of "Hog Zilla" 20 year old Weber Kettle with a hail dent in the lid, decapitated and used on athe Coors UDS. Weber OTS. "Rocky" the Coors Beer Can UDS Big Boar BBQ-Home of "Hog Zilla BigBoarBBQ.com

11-16-2012, 02:45 PM	#5
Swamp Donkeyz BBQ Take a breath! Join Date: 07-25-12 Location: Huntsville, Tx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I use oak that has been cut and stacked for 5 years and it burns fine. I use it for my comp wood. It is in the hill country so it's not a very moist climate. As long as it hasn't been on the ground and doesn't have any spongy spots in it you should be good to go.

11-17-2012, 08:32 AM	#7
Q-Dat Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-03-08 Location: Pearl River LA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks folks. Now if it just hasn't petrified beyond cutting!

11-17-2012, 09:12 AM	#8
Gnaws on Pigs is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 05-22-10 Location: Smoky Mountains, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	As long as it's not punky, it'll be good. Hickory usually gets borers pretty quickly, but that won't hurt it at all for smoking wood. I dug up some pieces of apple a while back that were about 15 years cut but kept dry, and they worked great. __________________ ...Half a yard full of crap to cook on like everybody else... Slow-to-average-speed GRAY Wal-Mart thermometer Just a hungry hillbilly lookin for a dead critter to cook Four Zeros in one throwdown, baby!