Bigg_Redd
Minister of Fire
I just posted in BogyDave's thread that maybe it is time we bust the myth of my wood being all antique stuff. Well, yes there are times when we have lots of wood on hand and then there are also times when there is not so much wood on hand.
For example, we did have 7 years worth of wood on hand a short time ago and even earlier this year I think I posted that we had enough wood cut, split and stacked to take us into the year 2019. So, what about now? Assuming I have enough wood in the barn to burn this winter, still left in the stack is probably enough to go between 4 and 5 winters. So you see, there is not that much wood here at all but plenty for us.
Our cutting season usually begins December 1, then we split in the spring and stack right after splitting. I'd like to cut enough this winter for at least 3 years worth of burning. However, we'll no doubt sell some and no doubt give some away so it is difficult to know just how much wood we'll have on hand when this is all done.
There are a couple points I'd like to make here. First, there are many men on this forum who have much more wood on hand than we do and that makes me proud. Why? Because when I got on this forum there was not much talk about getting 3 years ahead on wood. People really did not understand the importance of putting up wood ahead of time. It really makes me happy now to see others quoting the 3 year wood supply and many have even more than that. Great
Here is another point that we have touched on several times. Let's use Fire Chief Steve as a good example, and Steve is a good man. But Steve had a bad accident a little over a year ago and for sure he was not even sure he could ever cut wood again. But being the good man he is, he had a good supply of wood on hand. But what if he had not put up wood ahead of time? What would he do? In his case it would have been covered well but perhaps not in everyone else's case.
Ask yourself this question: What if I got hurt and could not put up wood for a year or more? Yes, what would you do, especially those who have only a year's worth of wood.
Okay, another case. I did not intend to post this but I too have had another accident and do not know if I will be able to cut wood this winter. What will happen if I can't? Well, first, I will no doubt get many offers where others will gladly come in to cut for us and for that we are very grateful. However, as you can tell, it will be no big deal if we can't cut this winter because we have plenty of wood on hand.
I will rest and quit harping on folks to get wood put up and give it the proper amount of time to dry when everyone gets at least 3 years ahead on their wood supply.
Oh yes, btw, I passed one wood stack just a short time ago and was reminded that there is still a full years worth of wood in that stack even after this winter. That wood was cut in the 2008-2009 winter and then split and stacked in April of 2009. We will burn that in the winter of 2013-2014. No, there is no wood shortage here.
That's all well and good, and I believe there is no such thing as "too much" firewood, but. . .
1) There is no species of wood in WA that takes 3 years to dry
2) I have to cut about 12 cord per year - 4 for me, 8 for my parents - and that's about all the time I have to devote to firewood. To haul in 36 cord in a year, even if it were available, is simply out of the question.
3) I'm thrilled you were able to get that off your chest.
