Last winter was my first full winter of burning. This is my first spring of gathering my own wood. My question is. Do you stack wood with the bark up or down? I thought maybe bark up cause it sheilds the rain away and it also heats up hoter in the sun. But would the bark stop the water from evaporating up, or will it go throught the bark instead?

Micah - 14 May 2008 02:43 PM

Last winter was my first full winter of burning. This is my first spring of gathering my own wood. My question is. Do you stack wood with the bark up or down? I thought maybe bark up cause it sheilds the rain away and it also heats up hoter in the sun. But would the bark stop the water from evaporating up, or will it go throught the bark instead?

Many of us stack with the bark side down except the top row which we stack bark up to shed water. Some, me included, cover just the top layer, not the sides, to shed water and snow. Depends how much rain you get and also what your preference is. You will receive many different answers and all are correct because it works for them. Good luck with your wood burning experience.
Ed

I think this is my 34th year of stacking firewood.  Most of the time I have had a woodshed, so the only time I care which way the bark faces if for the first course, or layer of wood.  I put bark against the ground or a concrete floor to reduce moisture obsorption.  Take the time to stack the wood so it is stable and you can stack it a lot higher and safer than being careless.  I start with the longer even shaped splits then the more irregular pieces, then the small chunks left over from the whole cutting and splitting process.  Have fun, cutting and spitting your own wood is not only a $$ saver, but very satisfying and good excercise. 

I have to agree I only have a small bit off wood right now might theres alot of pride that goes into knowing that “I did that” and my family will be nice and warm. Im going to stack with top layer bark up. Im not really good with the splitting maul yet so i have alot of nice flat side pieces from where i missed the center and the edge!

The key for me in using the splitting maul was to always keep my eye on the spot that I wanted to hit and not follow the maul down to the spot. Also find the correct distance and keep it or you will replace handles often. Keep burning wood and then buy a splitter; much ,much easier and you save the cost of handles.
Ed

I have a new baby coming in the middle of august so a splitter will be out of the budget for a while. Plus my fat {insert naught word} needs the exersise.

Look at the bark as in umbrella. Then decide whether you want the umbrella inside out?  Or what?  It really isn`t rocket-science!!