7 Years Dead Hickory Tree...

[Q-Dat]

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]

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]

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

[Lake Dogs]

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

[Swamp Donkeyz BBQ]

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]

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]

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

[Gnaws on Pigs]

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.