There is a difference between hop hornbeam (ironwood) and American hornbeam (musclewood).
Hop Hornbean is the real ironwood; it's blossoms look almost identical to those of hops.
Hornbean has smooth gray bark that is twisted like muscle and is often called musclewood. It is also sometimes called blue beech or swamp beech. Having said that, my Dad always called it ironwood.
I burn as much hop hornbean (ironwood) as I can get my hands on as it is excellent firewood, second only to hickory according to the N. Y. S. Conservation Dept.
Ironwood dies young, usually before getting to be more than 6 inches in diameter although I did cut one last year that was 15".
After it dies and stands for a year it is seasoned and ready to burn. Furthermore, it can stand dead for several years without
getting the least bit punky.
In my opinion, Musclewood is nearly as good a firewood as Ironwood but around here it never gets bigger than 4 or 5 inches.
Unlike, Ironwood, after it dies Musclewood will get punky in a very short time much like American Beech or White Birch does, so it must be cut green and allowed to season or be cut shortly after it dies.
In my part of N.Y. State, there is always a good supply of dead ironwood and some years I burn it almost exclusively.
In my experience, any hardwood is readily cut with a well sharpened chain and although it may cut a little slower than softwoods, it doesn't cause any undue wear.
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Today's Featured Article - George's Fordson Major - by Anthony West (UK). This is a bit of a technical info to add on to the article about George's Major in the "A Towny Goes Plowing" article. George bought his Major from a an implement sale about 18 years ago for £200.00. There is no known history regarding its origins or what service it had done, but the following work was undertaken by Harold alone to bring it up to show standard. From the engine number, it was found that the major was produced late 19
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