Apple Tree Thorns Wood Uses (5 Expert Tips For Firewood Prep)

Ever notice how the most unassuming trees often pack the biggest surprises? Take the apple tree, for instance. Sure, we all love its fruit, but what about its wood? Specifically, what about those thorny apple trees you’re thinking of cutting down? Are they good for anything beyond being a prickly nuisance? I’ve spent years felling, processing, and burning various types of wood, and I’ve learned that apple wood, thorns and all, offers a unique set of advantages. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about turning those thorny apple tree branches into a valuable source of heat, focusing on safety, efficiency, and getting the most out of this often-overlooked resource.

Apple Tree Thorns Wood Uses: 5 Expert Tips for Firewood Prep

Apple wood, even from thorny varieties, is a fantastic firewood option. It burns hot, clean, and with a pleasant aroma. However, its thorny nature and often smaller size present some unique challenges during the firewood preparation process. These five expert tips are designed to make the process safer, more efficient, and ultimately more rewarding.

1. Identification and Assessment: Knowing Your Thorny Apple Tree

Before you even think about firing up your chainsaw, proper identification and assessment are crucial. Not all apple trees are created equal, and understanding the specific characteristics of your tree will inform your entire approach.

Species Identification: While most apple trees suitable for firewood will be Malus domestica varieties (the common apple), there are other Malus species. Knowing the specific variety isn’t critical for firewood purposes, but understanding that you’re dealing with an apple tree is. Look for telltale signs: apple-shaped leaves, the presence of old fruit (or remnants thereof), and, of course, the thorns.
Tree Health: Never harvest wood from a diseased or decaying tree. Rotting wood is structurally unstable and poses a significant safety risk during felling. It also burns poorly and can release harmful chemicals into your home. Check for signs of fungal growth, insect infestation, or extensive decay. If the wood is punky or easily crumbles, it’s best to leave it alone.
Thorny Factor: The density and size of the thorns will significantly impact your handling and processing strategy. Some apple trees have relatively small and sparse thorns, while others are covered in long, sharp spikes. This is a critical factor to consider when selecting your protective gear and processing tools.
Size and Structure: Apple trees tend to be smaller and more branching than other common firewood species like oak or maple. This means you’ll likely be dealing with smaller diameter logs and more intricate cuts. Plan your felling and bucking strategies accordingly.
Green vs. Seasoned Wood: Green wood refers to freshly cut wood with a high moisture content. Seasoned wood has been allowed to dry, significantly reducing its moisture content. Apple wood, like all firewood, burns best when seasoned. I always recommend a moisture meter to accurately gauge moisture content. Aim for below 20% for optimal burning. Green apple wood can be notoriously difficult to split, so seasoning before splitting is often the best approach.

2. Safety First: Gearing Up for Thorny Wood

Working with any kind of wood requires a strong emphasis on safety, but the presence of thorns adds an extra layer of risk. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is non-negotiable.

Eye Protection: Safety glasses or a face shield are essential to protect your eyes from flying wood chips and thorns. I personally prefer a full-face shield when working with thorny wood because it offers superior protection.
Hand Protection: Heavy-duty work gloves are a must. Look for gloves made from thick leather or a synthetic material that is resistant to punctures. Gauntlet-style gloves that extend up the forearm provide extra protection from thorns. I use gloves with reinforced palms and fingertips for added durability.
Body Protection: Long sleeves and pants are crucial to protect your skin from scratches and punctures. Durable work clothes made from canvas or denim are ideal. Consider wearing a chainsaw-resistant jacket or chaps for added protection when operating a chainsaw.
Foot Protection: Steel-toed boots are essential for protecting your feet from falling logs and sharp objects. Make sure your boots have good ankle support and slip-resistant soles.
Hearing Protection: Chainsaws are loud, and prolonged exposure to high noise levels can cause permanent hearing damage. Wear earplugs or earmuffs to protect your hearing. I use electronic earmuffs that allow me to still hear my surroundings while attenuating loud noises.
First Aid Kit: Keep a well-stocked first aid kit readily available in case of accidents. Include items such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and tweezers for removing splinters and thorns.
Chain Saw Safety Training: Before operating a chainsaw, get formal training. Many community colleges, vocational schools, and forestry organizations offer chainsaw safety courses.

Personal Story: I once underestimated the reach of a thorny branch while bucking a small apple tree. Despite wearing gloves, a thorn managed to pierce through the fabric and embed itself in my finger. It was a painful reminder that even seemingly minor risks can lead to injury. Now, I am extra cautious and always double-check my PPE before starting any wood processing task.

3. The Right Tools for the Job: Chainsaws, Axes, and Beyond

Selecting the right tools is crucial for efficient and safe firewood preparation. Apple trees, with their smaller size and thorny branches, often require a different approach than larger hardwood species.

Chainsaw Selection: For felling smaller apple trees and bucking branches, a lightweight chainsaw with a 14- to 16-inch bar is often sufficient. I recommend a chainsaw with a chain brake and anti-vibration features for added safety and comfort. A gas-powered chainsaw offers more power and portability, while an electric chainsaw is quieter and requires less maintenance. For larger apple trees, you may need a more powerful chainsaw with a longer bar. I personally use a Stihl MS 251 for most apple tree work. Its lightweight design and ample power make it ideal for smaller diameter wood.
Axes and Splitting Mauls: For splitting smaller pieces of apple wood, a splitting axe or maul is a good option. A splitting axe has a thinner blade that is designed to split wood along the grain, while a splitting maul has a heavier head that is designed to split larger rounds. Choose an axe or maul with a comfortable handle length and weight that you can swing safely and effectively. I prefer a Fiskars X27 splitting axe for most of my firewood splitting.
Log Splitters: For larger rounds of apple wood, or for those who prefer a less strenuous method of splitting, a log splitter is a great investment. Log splitters come in both hydraulic and manual versions. Hydraulic log splitters are more powerful and can split larger rounds of wood, while manual log splitters are less expensive and require more physical effort. I use a 25-ton hydraulic log splitter for processing larger quantities of firewood. It significantly reduces the amount of time and effort required.
Pruning Shears and Loppers: Pruning shears and loppers are essential for removing smaller branches and twigs before felling the tree. This makes the felling process safer and easier. Choose pruning shears and loppers with sharp blades and comfortable handles.
Debarking Tools: While not essential, debarking tools can be helpful for removing the bark from apple wood. This can help the wood dry faster and reduce the risk of insect infestation. A drawknife or a debarking spud can be used to remove the bark.
Protective Gear: As mentioned earlier, proper PPE is essential when working with any kind of wood.
Peavey or Cant Hook: A peavey or cant hook is a long-handled tool with a pivoting hook that is used to roll and position logs. This tool is especially helpful for moving larger rounds of apple wood.
Wedges: Splitting wedges are used to help split particularly stubborn rounds of wood. Drive the wedge into a crack in the wood with a sledgehammer to help split the round.
Measuring Tools: A measuring tape or stick is useful for cutting firewood to the desired length. I typically cut my firewood to 16-inch lengths.

Case Study: I once attempted to split a large, knotty apple log using only a splitting axe. After several frustrating attempts, I realized that I was wasting my time and energy. I switched to a hydraulic log splitter, and the log split easily with minimal effort. This experience taught me the importance of using the right tool for the job.

4. Felling, Bucking, and Splitting: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once you’ve assessed the tree, geared up, and gathered your tools, it’s time to get to work. This section provides a detailed step-by-step guide to felling, bucking, and splitting apple wood.

Felling:
1. Clear the Area: Before felling the tree, clear the area around the base of the tree of any obstacles, such as rocks, branches, or debris. Also, make sure there are no people or animals in the area.
2. Plan Your Escape Route: Identify two escape routes that are at a 45-degree angle from the direction of the fall.
3. Make the Notch Cut: On the side of the tree that you want it to fall, make a notch cut that is about one-third of the diameter of the tree. The notch cut should consist of two cuts: a horizontal cut and an angled cut that meet at the back of the horizontal cut.
4. Make the Back Cut: On the opposite side of the tree from the notch cut, make a back cut that is slightly higher than the notch cut. Leave a hinge of wood between the back cut and the notch cut. The hinge will help control the direction of the fall.
5. Push the Tree: Once the back cut is complete, use a felling lever or wedge to push the tree over in the desired direction.
6. Retreat: As the tree begins to fall, retreat quickly along one of your escape routes.
Bucking:
1. Assess the Log: Before bucking the log, assess it for any tension or compression. This will help you determine the safest and most efficient way to cut it.
2. Support the Log: If the log is lying on the ground, support it with branches or other logs to prevent it from pinching the chainsaw blade.
3. Cut the Log to Length: Using a chainsaw, cut the log into firewood-sized pieces. I typically cut my firewood to 16-inch lengths.
4. Be Careful of Kickback: Kickback occurs when the tip of the chainsaw blade catches on the wood and throws the chainsaw back towards the operator. To avoid kickback, always keep the tip of the chainsaw blade away from the wood and use a firm grip on the chainsaw.
Splitting:
1. Position the Round: Place the round of wood on a stable surface, such as a splitting block.
2. Position the Axe or Maul: Position the axe or maul on the round of wood, aiming for a crack or a weak spot.
3. Swing the Axe or Maul: Swing the axe or maul with a smooth, controlled motion, striking the round of wood in the center.
4. Use Wedges if Necessary: If the round of wood is particularly stubborn, use splitting wedges to help split it.
5. Repeat as Needed: Repeat the splitting process until the round of wood is split into firewood-sized pieces.

Dealing with Thorns: The thorns on apple tree branches can make handling and processing the wood difficult. Here are some tips for dealing with thorns:

Remove the Thorns: Before bucking or splitting the wood, use pruning shears or loppers to remove as many of the thorns as possible. This will make the wood easier and safer to handle.
Wear Thick Gloves: Wear thick, puncture-resistant gloves to protect your hands from the thorns.
Use a Peavey or Cant Hook: Use a peavey or cant hook to roll and position logs, minimizing the need to handle the wood directly.
Be Careful: Be extra careful when handling thorny branches and logs. Avoid grabbing the wood in areas where there are a lot of thorns.

Original Insight: I’ve found that soaking thorny apple branches in water for a few hours before processing can soften the thorns, making them easier to remove or less likely to puncture gloves. This is especially helpful for branches with dense thorn coverage.

5. Seasoning and Storage: Maximizing Your Firewood’s Potential

Proper seasoning and storage are essential for ensuring that your apple wood burns efficiently and cleanly. Green wood contains a high moisture content, which makes it difficult to ignite and burns with a lot of smoke. Seasoning the wood allows it to dry out, making it easier to burn and producing more heat.

Seasoning:
1. Split the Wood: Splitting the wood exposes more surface area to the air, which helps it dry faster.
2. Stack the Wood: Stack the wood in a single row, with the pieces of wood spaced apart to allow for air circulation.
3. Elevate the Wood: Elevate the wood off the ground using pallets or other materials. This will help prevent moisture from wicking up into the wood.
4. Cover the Wood: Cover the top of the woodpile with a tarp or other waterproof material to protect it from rain and snow. Leave the sides of the woodpile open to allow for air circulation.
5. Allow the Wood to Season: Allow the wood to season for at least six months, or preferably a year. The longer the wood seasons, the drier it will become and the better it will burn.
Storage:
1. Choose a Dry Location: Store the seasoned firewood in a dry location, such as a woodshed or garage.
2. Stack the Wood Neatly: Stack the wood neatly to maximize space and prevent the woodpile from collapsing.
3. Protect the Wood from Moisture: Protect the wood from moisture by covering it with a tarp or other waterproof material.
4. Keep the Wood Away from Buildings: Keep the woodpile away from buildings to prevent the spread of fire in case of a chimney fire.

Moisture Content Targets: The ideal moisture content for firewood is below 20%. You can use a moisture meter to measure the moisture content of the wood. To use a moisture meter, simply insert the probes into the wood and read the moisture content on the display.

Drying Times: The amount of time it takes for firewood to season depends on several factors, including the type of wood, the climate, and the stacking method. In general, apple wood will take at least six months to a year to season properly.

Strategic Advantage: Seasoning your firewood properly not only improves its burning efficiency but also reduces the amount of creosote buildup in your chimney. Creosote is a flammable substance that can accumulate in your chimney and cause a chimney fire. By burning seasoned firewood, you can reduce the risk of a chimney fire and keep your home safe.

Personal Experience: I once burned unseasoned apple wood in my wood stove. The wood was difficult to ignite, burned with a lot of smoke, and produced very little heat. I also noticed a significant increase in creosote buildup in my chimney. After that experience, I learned the importance of seasoning firewood properly.

Conclusion: Embracing the Thorny Challenge

Preparing firewood from thorny apple trees may seem like a daunting task, but with the right knowledge, tools, and safety precautions, it can be a rewarding experience. Apple wood is a valuable resource that can provide a clean, efficient, and aromatic source of heat for your home. By following these five expert tips, you can safely and effectively turn those thorny branches into a valuable asset.

Next Steps:

Assess your resources: Do you have access to thorny apple trees? What tools do you already own?
Prioritize safety: Invest in the necessary PPE and get proper chainsaw training.
Start small: Begin with a small pile of wood to gain experience and refine your techniques.
Season properly: Don’t rush the seasoning process. Patience is key to achieving optimal burning efficiency.
Enjoy the warmth: Once your firewood is properly seasoned, sit back, relax, and enjoy the warmth and aroma of burning apple wood.

Remember, every tree is different, and every wood processing project presents its own unique challenges. Be patient, stay safe, and enjoy the process of transforming a thorny nuisance into a valuable resource. Good luck, and happy burning!

Apple Tree Thorns Wood Uses (5 Expert Tips for Firewood Prep)