Cut and stacked and there for the taking
Text and photo by Mary Walton
Ocean Grove volunteer firemen turned to on Saturday, sawing and stacking fallen trees at Firemen’s Park, the result of Hurricane Sandy.
Sorted into large and small logs and kindling, a free supply of firewood now awaits, available to all comers. “If they want it, they should help themselves,” said fire department spokesman David Shotwell Jr.
Neptune Township has decreed that all of the tree trunks and limbs lying beside curbs throughout the Township are free for the taking. It’s better for residents to use the wood than for the Township to pay for pickup and disposal.
Shotwell joined some 10 men, including several father-son pairs, who devoted about five hours to cleaning up the debris. “It was a mess,” Shotwell said. “It was taking up parking spaces. We wanted to make it safer and to make it look nice.” He noted that the southeast corner of the well-used park is a school bus stop, and the park also serves as the origination point for bus tours by local organizations.
As they do every year, firemen also ringed the park with Christmas lights.
Depends on the type of tree… sappy trees like pine take longer then a hard wood like oak. Conifer trees also can explode if they haven’t died and the sap is heated inside the log. Fast drying woods like oak and birch are best
I believe Frank S. is correct. One year is recommended.
As I don’t have a fireplace perhaps I am not qualified. I thought that freshly cut down tree wood has to dry out for a year or so before being able to be used as firewood. Others who know more might want to comment about this.
What makes you think that?
So, I guess that means that Neptune will not be picking up the trees, limbs and leaves lying all over town?