Splitting shingles

Each spring, before gardening time, we cut trees for shingles, firewood to be seasoned for the winter, and logs to be sawn into lumber, and cedar for rails and fence posts.

With the beginning of spring, it is time for maintenance on the many wood roofed buildings on the farm.  We cut oak logs into 22 inch sections, then split them into smaller workable pieces called "bolts". Then removing the heart and sap wood, we are left with the best part of the log for shingles. Using a froe (a wedge-like tool) and a maul, quarter inch thick shingles are split from the bolt. With each blow of the maul the froe is driven into the bolt. The shingle is split off following the grain of the wood. The froe then becomes a lever to pry the shingle from the bolt. Cutting along the grain allows the water to drain off more quickly from the roof. These wood shingles may last a decade or two.

Nothing is wasted from the log. The photo at the bottom shows baskets of kindling collected to start winter fires in the fireplace.

Ted McCoy splitting oak shingles with a fore and maul.

Bundles of oak shingles.