Dead Maple in back yard

[magnum3672]

So, my sister and brother in-law have had a dead maple (huge old tree) in their back yard and they just took it down.

Would it be good for smoking?

 

[uncle_lar]

maple is good smoking wood

just make sure ts dry

 

[magnum3672]

It's been sitting in their back yard dead for a couple of years now.  It should be very dry.  Didn't know if it dying on its own would affect it badly in any way

 

[cliffcarter]

If the wood is intact and solid it should be OK. You will probably need to season it after it is split, nonetheless.

 

[magnum3672]

Season it?  Let it sit I'm guessing?

Also, I have an electric smoker, any clues as to how to either make sawdust or chip it?  I might have access to a band saw I could cut it into small bits with, otherwise I have no idea what to do.

 

[magnum3672]

My sister says it was a "sunset maple".  I don't know anything about trees so hopefully one of you kind folks can help me out!

Thanks for the assistance already given

 

[ak1]

Basically, a "Sunset" maple is a maple with very brilliant fall colour. As far as I remember it's a variety of Acer Rubrum. Basically, Red Maple, one of the most common maples in the eastern half of North America.

Very good smoking wood.

Even if it's been dead for a few years, it should be OK to use as long as it isn't rotten.

 

[magnum3672]

my sister said it didn't die from rot, its root system just choked itself because it was about 4 feet away from a cement patio that was meant to be a foundation or some-such.  Anyways, thanks for all your help!

 

[ak1]

No worries then. You're good to go. Chop it up, let it dry, and have fun!!!

 

[magnum3672]

It died over 2 years ago so it shouldn't be too wet

 

[cliffcarter]

Basically, a "Sunset" maple is a maple with very brilliant fall colour. As far as I remember it's a variety of Acer Rubrum. Basically, Red Maple, one of the most common maples in the eastern half of North America.

Very good smoking wood.

Even if it's been dead for a few years, it should be OK to use as long as it isn't rotten.

"Sunset" maple is an ornamental tree, either Shantung maple(acer truncatum) or Norway maple(acer platnaoides), not a variety of acer rubrum. Shantung maples grow to about 25' tall, the Norway can grow up to 80'. As far as I know no one has ever reported using ornamental maples as smoke wood, you could be the first. Good Luck!  
 

 

[Bearcarver]

It died over 2 years ago so it shouldn't be too wet

Wood doesn't really do much drying until it is cut up.

Then it is normally about 1" in thickness per year.

Bear

 

[alelover]

So if you have an 8" dia. split 4 ways it would take about 2-3 years to season?

 

[magnum3672]

Crud, thats a long time.  Any suggestions for chipping it?

 

[butch cassidy]

I do not know about the Maple, But as far as cutting up. I have a friend who is an Arborist (sp) who save all the pecan trees that they take out. I go and get all the pecan that I need (Free) I pick the log size diameter that I want , They cut them about 2 1/2 long. I have a large band saw to cut them the thickness of the wood box. and then I cut some of that into 1/4 thickness for my chips. Works great. What a deal and I like pecan also

 

[alelover]

Free pecan? That's awesome. One of my favorite woods for smoking. I wish I had a friend like that. Magnum, I was asking about seasoning, not telling. I am waiting for Bear to answer to see if my math is right. I've heard of people baking wood in their grill to dry it quicker.

 

[butch cassidy]

He cuts the pecan and stacks it in his lot. I do not know how long it has been drying, because he adds to the stack . I get and put on my trailer that is in the sun, then I pick a log and cut it up as needed. Good blue smoke.

 

[cliffcarter]

So if you have an 8" dia. split 4 ways it would take about 2-3 years to season?

6-9 months, properly stacked. Probably closer to 6 in NC. Maple seasons fairly quickly in my experience.

 

[alelover]

Thanks Cliff. That seems more reasonable. I was in Old Town once a long time ago. They still making canoes there?

 

[Bearcarver]

So if you have an 8" dia. split 4 ways it would take about 2-3 years to season?

Scott,
If you split an 8" diameter log into 4 pieces, you could measure them each from point to flat to be 4", but there are shorter distances to measure in that quarter circle.

I would say you have it about right in your 2 to 3 years.

However that would be dried to 19% moisture content, which I don't believe is needed for smoking meat, but in PA, I would say from green to ready for good smoking would probably be 2 years for that quarter of an 8" log.

Bear