| Heating with wood, whether using a cast iron | | | | and care to properly use a file. It is a simple tool, |
| wood stove or not, can provide almost endless | | | | yet most people have no idea about cutting |
| educational experiences for the entire family. Any | | | | angles, relief, and the geometry of a cutting |
| way you approach it, wood heat means work. | | | | surface. |
| Probably the least effort required if from a wood | | | | Learning about the various trees and their |
| pellet stove or insert, but even this can provide | | | | particular characteristics is a great teaching |
| many educational opportunities. | | | | opportunity. By practical experience, you come to |
| Supposing you decide to buy a gas chain saw and | | | | identify various hardwoods and softwoods. The |
| want to include your teenage son in the process, | | | | bark and leaves of each one is unique and gives |
| you have many ways to teach responsibility. First, | | | | telltale clues as to the identity. |
| there is the shopping process; which chain saw is | | | | The saw will also reveal different types of wood. |
| the best for your needs? You may learn that | | | | Ash, maple, oak and beech all cut differently and |
| lumberjacks prefer Jonserds, and that an electric | | | | give off their own odors and color of wood chips. |
| chain saw is not powerful enough for cutting big | | | | There is simply no substitute for this type of |
| trees. Or that Stihl chain saws are very popular | | | | learning, and it is retained for a lifetime. |
| and Husqvarna is one of the best around. | | | | Learning about which type of firewood is best is |
| You also will need chain saw chains, sharpening | | | | also very interesting. Why is oak better than |
| tools, hearing protection, a splitting maul and other | | | | maple, is birch a good firewood, why not use |
| accessories. The process of mixing gas and oil is | | | | pine? These are all opening questions that can lead |
| another lesson about 2 cycle engines. | | | | to many other topics, such as BTU's, creosote, |
| The safe use and care of a gas chain saw is | | | | chimney fires, greenhouse gases, carbon |
| paramount. Few tool are as effective and | | | | footprints, nuclear power and fossil fuels. |
| dangerous as a chain saw, and the respect due | | | | Building a firewood shed can be a great way to |
| this machine cannot be overstated. With some | | | | teach about construction, weather patterns, and |
| gradual experience, most people can learn to | | | | landscape design. A shed need not be complicated, |
| safely and efficiently use a saw. | | | | but it needs to function well, and this could involve |
| Sharpening is another opportunity to teach about | | | | the entire family. |
| maintaining equipment. It takes a bit of practice | | | | |