Hemlock Seasoning Time

[Bacffin]

My wife split this hemlock and I stacked in April 2012. I told her it was okay to leave the splits a little large because it burns relatevly fast and the larger splits will give you a longer burn time. Well...when I got home from work this is was the result.

How long does this take this to season? Should I hold out the really larger splits I should hold out for 2 years? Will the smaller ones be ready for 13/14? I am assuming this stuff seasons in one year. (bad thinking?)
About a cord and a half total, face stacked.
New wood to me...I am used to white pine.

Thanks,
Bruce

 

[thewoodlands]

I would give it a full year, especially if it was green when you cut it. I burned some that was 7 months seasoned (hot summer) it was ok but will give it a full year in the future.

 

[bogydave]

A full year minimum for any green wood is a good idea.
Of course when it was fell, & water content when CSS have an effect.
You may get by with less time since hemlock dries pretty fast. If needed, I'd burn it.
It's had all summer to dry, It's better than what many folks are burning

Don't think you can improve the burn times much with lower BTU hemlock. A good shoulder season wood for your area.
Gonna need some more dense wood to get an all day burn time, (or a stove with longer burn times .)

What other wood do you have?
I see lots of stacked wood there.

 

[Bacffin]

I should mention I cut this down green in January 2012 and left in rounds 16" long until it was split. I will not touch this at a minimum until fall of 2013 if it is dry < 20% moisture content. I have never seasoned or burned hemlock before.

Bruce

 

[Bacffin]

I would give it a full year, especially if it was green when you cut it. I burned some that was 7 months seasoned (hot summer) it was ok but will give it a full year in the future.

Zap, are you in the northeast or in a similar climate?

 

[thewoodlands]

Zap, are you in the northeast or in a similar climate?

Yes, in the foothills of the Adirondacks. We get some 20-30 below weather in the winter. (not last year)

 

[Bacffin]

A full year minimum for any green wood is a good idea.
Of course when it was fell, & water content when CSS have an effect.
You may get by with less time since hemlock dries pretty fast. If needed, I'd burn it.
It's had all summer to dry, It's better than what many folks are burning

Don't think you can improve the burn times much with lower BTU hemlock. A good shoulder season wood for your area.
Gonna need some more dense wood to get an all day burn time, (or a stove with longer burn times .)

What other wood do you have?
I see lots of stacked wood there.

I will not need it. I have lots of standing dead pine for the shoulder seasons, but will filter the hemlock in to the schedule if it is ready next fall. (hemlock, better burn times than white pine)
My red oak and sugar maple turned 1 year old last month. The oak will sit another year at least, but the sugar may be ready next fall/winter. I will check it next January with the meter. 1 cord each.
I have another cord of hard maple, white oak and red oak mixed for 13/14.
O- also at least 6 cord from the grapple load being processed now. (almost done splitting)
About 4 cord of pine logs to process in the late winter.

Still thinking ahead too.

 

[Bacffin]

Yes, in the foothills of the Adirondacks. We get some 20-30 below weather in the winter. (not last year)

Damn...we are almost neighbors.....by looking at the map

 

[thewoodlands]

Not sure if your a hockey fan but the season looks like a no go, damn shame.
zap

 

[bogydave]

I will not need it. I have lots of standing dead pine for the shoulder seasons, but will filter the hemlock in to the schedule if it is ready next fall. (hemlock, better burn times than white pine)
My red oak and sugar maple turned 1 year old last month. The oak will sit another year at least, but the sugar may be ready next fall/winter. I will check it next January with the meter. 1 cord each.
I have another cord of hard maple, white oak and red oak mixed for 13/14.
O- also at least 6 cord from the grapple load being processed now. (almost done splitting)
About 4 cord of pine logs to process in the late winter.

Still thinking ahead too.

Sound like next burn season you get to start enjoying the "BTUs of your labor".
Takes allot of work as you know, & that makes it even more enjoyable

Took me 2-1/2 years to get 2 years ahead. Over 20 cord CSS.
This year I'm burning all 2+ yr old wood, (should be from her on out )
Am spoiled now that I know how well it burns

Will be well worth all your hard work when ;
you gotta hurry & load the stove, because dry wood wants to burn

 

[Bacffin]

Not sure if your a hockey fan but the season looks like a no go, damn shame.
zap

Yep, silly..all those people that depend on the games.
I follow it, but not like the days of Bobby Orr, Sanderson,Cheavers, Busyck, Westfall...etc.
oh..and spear chucker Cashman.

How things have changed.

 

[thewoodlands]

Yep, silly..all those people that depend on the games.
I follow it, but not like the days of Bobby Orr, Sanderson,Cheavers, Busyck, Westfall...etc.
oh..and spear chucker Cashman.

How things have changed.

Don't forget McKenzie.
http://bruinslegends.blogspot.com/2008/01/john-pie-mckenzie.html

 

[Bacffin]

Don't forget McKenzie.
http://bruinslegends.blogspot.com/2008/01/john-pie-mckenzie.html

Good read Zap...forgot about the "bumper stickers' and the rodeo...pretty cool.

Thanks!

 

[thewoodlands]

This guy never could score like Pie Face but he was tough, Stan Jonathan.

zap

 

[Bacffin]

Mid 70's if I remember right...always in the penatly box .Ha!

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Don't forget McKenzie.
http://bruinslegends.blogspot.com/2008/01/john-pie-mckenzie.html

And Howe could anyone forget Gordy?

 

[thewoodlands]

And Howe could anyone forget Gordy?

I never realized he was a cowboy until I read the article, always like him has a hockey player.

 

[Bacffin]

And Howe could anyone forget Gordy?

Detroit....not Boston !!

 

[jdp1152]

Whereabouts are you? Littleton?

Damn...we are almost neighbors.....by looking at the map

 

[Bacffin]

yes

 

[jdp1152]

Only venture out that way en route to fishing at the Quabbin. Live off of Rt 2 as well.

 

[Bacffin]

I head down 126 every day on my way to work. Nice area.