Water Oak With Side Rot: Okay for Smoking?

[Count Porcula]

The other day I cut down a big water oak that I thought was mostly rotten. Turned out most of the wood was very sound, but there was definitely rot on one side.

I cut part of it up today, and it seemed hard as a rock. The band saw did not like it much.

Should I be concerned that a trunk that has some rot on one side will stink all the way through?

 

[Count Porcula]

I cut off a little piece, dried it in the microwave, and lit it. Smells just fine. It actually started to smolder in the oven, so now that smells great.

I don't know how long these chunks will take to dry.

 

[Compulsive Smoker]

I would use that no questions asked! A little rot on the outside is fine, just trim that part off a little and you're all set.

If you're just letting it air dry your looking at 9 months to a year till it's good and dried out...at least that's what I figure...

 

[Count Porcula]

Thanks for the help. That's quite a while, but at least it's free, and I really like oak.

I have some big grapevines on my farm, and I am planning to make chunks from those, too. I have no idea what the meat will taste like, but I noticed that other people use grapevine, so I might as well stock up before it rots.

 

[Compulsive Smoker]

I've been wanting to try grape sometime, but don't have a good source...

 

[Count Porcula]

Grapevines are weeds here. They are everywhere. My understanding is that they are wild muscadines. Other than that, it's 90% oak, along with magnolias, palms, sweet gums, and very few hickories. Also mimosas. My understanding is that only the oaks, hickories, and grapevines are worth smoking.

 

[Compulsive Smoker]

Grapevines are weeds here. They are everywhere. My understanding is that they are wild muscadines. Other than that, it's 90% oak, along with magnolias, palms, sweet gums, and very few hickories. Also mimosas. My understanding is that only the oaks, hickories, and grapevines are worth smoking.

I have oak, maple, cherry, and hickory in my woods and got some apple from a friend that owns an orchard. There is another orchard close by that raises peaches, so I want to talk to them about getting some peach...

 

[Count Porcula]

I forgot; I have a couple of cherry trees that need to come down. I'm going to be checking to see if this type is good for smoking. It definitely doesn't make cherries.

 

[Hijack73]

I forgot; I have a couple of cherry trees that need to come down. I'm going to be checking to see if this type is good for smoking. It definitely doesn't make cherries.

Those ornamental non fruit bearing trees make up the majority of cherry I've ever used. Wild fruit bearing cherry is maybe better, but ornamental is fine. Wood looks almost exactly the same. I usually can't tell it apart.