Giant Osage log find or am I going to be disappointed?

[highpoint forge]

HELP ME TREE EXPERTS!!!

Cut and lying as seen in photo not 500 yards from my front door is what appears to be a serious bois d'arc log. Must be 12-14' long and easily 3' across.......start splitting it like a madman or skip it? I'm in Dallas near downtown. If anyone needs a better look I can email pics. I want to make a move before it starts checking. Tomorrow I can gather some smaller pieces for knife handles and whatnot. To the public I must seem like a nut and IF this is the golden wood we love I am a lucky SOB.

   

[DVSHUNTER]

Looks like it to me. Start splitting like a madman! Seal the ends to and if you peel the sapwood and bark seal the back too. Sweet find.

[scrub-buster]

If the rings are good and the bark doesn't twist, go for it.  Why let such an incredible tree go to waste.  Think of all the belly splits.  I tackled a 24" tree and it was some of the best wood I have ever seen.  It looks like your log has some natural splits in the center.  Mine had the same.  Start your splits there and it will be easier to bust open.  It looks like it is naturaly split into 4 sections.  You are going to need a lot of wedges.  A prybar will help to get it apart.  Seal the ends with several coats of what ever you use.  When you get belly splits, seal the backs of those also.  Man, thats a heck of an osage tree. I would be all over that thing if it was by my house.

[highpoint forge]

Dude this is just one section......it's waist high as it sits! It's on a really busy street though....how am I ever gonna crack this thing open? I have a maul and maybe 5 wedges.

[WINDTALKER]

Holy back ache Batman!!!!! You my friend are ambitious, with the splitting and moving and stacking and sapwood removal you may want to buy some Tylenol

[DVSHUNTER]

That will do it. It won't be easy but you can do it. Bring a large dim witted friend. Being from Dallas I'm sure there must
 be one around. Lol just kidding... Kinda    

Have fun. Whiskey helps the process too, but maybe not right by the road. Could lead to trouble.

[highpoint forge]

My last giant was tackled to the detriment of my body.....and it was insect ravaged and twisted but half of it was good and went to good use....I'm a bit scared of this one but how could you pass it up?!!!

Problem is I had to get rid of all my large dim witted friends!

[Roy from Pa]

WOW, that is insane.. Count me out:) LOL

[highpoint forge]

Craigslist log splitting service?

[scrub-buster]

Don't be scared.  Ask the crew that took it down if they can cut it into a couple of 70" long pieces and maybe haul it to your house.  It might not hurt to have a case of beer in your hand when you ask.  Or maybe offer to buy them lunch.  

If it is straight grained it will suprise you how easily it will split.  With the center being started like that you don't have to split all the way through it.  You only have to go to the end of the natural split.  On one of my 24" logs I drove the second wedge into it and the split ran all the way to the end of the log.  Now if the grain is crazy on it, good luck.  How are the rings?  Were there any branches on it?

Here is what I got from my big tree.  If the wood is good, its worth it

 

[highpoint forge]

That is what I'm talking about! Stay tuned for good pics tomorrow. Appreciate the encouragement and tips. Keep em coming...

[Pat B]

I'll trade you ibuprofin for staves. d;^)

[robtattoo]

Hell, I'll see that Ibuprofen & raise you a bottle of hydrocodone & 3 quarts of good* Whiskey!

*'Aged 15 minutes in a tin bath'    

[D]

It would be hard to pass up Robs offer..lol  I sure do wish I lived closer I would come help you in a heartbeat...But its easy for me to say that since I live in TN..lol

[scrub-buster]

I couldn't sleep tonight knowing that thing is on the side of the road.  I'd be calling a tow truck to drag that thing home for me.

[highpoint forge]

Trust me..... I don't have a truck anymore and my 2 month old boy can't swing a maul to save his life. Mom's at her office....gotta figure this out!

[Buemaker]

Holy mackerel, that is some log, good luck. Bue--.   :eek:

[Bowjunkie]

Yep, I would get that thing home asap by whatever means necessary. I normally pass on such monarchs, but since it's already down and easily accessable... I be on that thing like a spider monkey.

[Troy D. Breeding]

If it was cut by the land owner take your time and do it right. If it was cut by the city, county or power company then you better get with it. Alot times the companies will have chipper trucks close behind. You don't want to loose it to the chippers.

Troy

[stringstretcher]

Find someone local with a roll back and have them load it and take it to you house.  Then you can work on it as you like.