A Beginners Wood Pile w/pics

[toddnic]

Well, I have been working on getting as much wood split and stacked as possible this year so that it can season. My son and I just started splitting wood about three months ago. We had a lot of trees that were down in the yard that just needed to be cut, split and stacked. Currently we have about 4 1/2 to 5 cords stacked in our yard (pics) and then another 2 cords at a neighbors house. Right now we have yellow birch, red maple, red oak, cherry, and hemlock. Only about 2 cords are dry (primarily yellow birch and some maple) so I might end up having to purchase some wood to get me through this winter. I'm thankful that we have been able to put up approximately 7 cords in about three months . I think if we get another 3 or 4 cords cut, split and stacked in the next few months that should put us about three years ahead.

 

[PapaDave]

toddnic, nice job getting all that done. However, unless those stacks are much larger than they look, you don't have 4.5-5 cord there.
A cord is 4'hx4'dx8'w or 128 cu. ft.. Those look to be ......oh man, here we go....."face cords".
A bit of advice (I learned the hard way ) is to put the wood up on some landscape timbers or pallets. The bottom row will stay wet and start rotting if you don't......wasted firewood. You can also use some saplings. I use all of the above.

 

[Bster13]

Good advice above, also if you want it to dry faster stack the entire row criss cross style, not just the ends to promote airflow. Will take up more space though. GL!

 

[toddnic]

Each stack is between 5 to 6 feet high, 15 to 16 feet in length, and between 20 - 22 inches wide. Calculates to about 4 1/2 to 5 cords. We measured each of the stacks after we got through stacking the wood.

 

[PapaDave]

Oh yeah, if you have the room, keep going.
You can slow down next year if your usage estimate is correct.
Your new PH will prefer nice dry wood. Keep it happy, and it'll keep you happy.

 

[PapaDave]

However, unless those stacks are much larger than they look

Man, I'm glad I put that in there.

 

[mattjm1017]

Looks good where about in NC are you at? Im in the Northeastern part and only use about 2.5-3 cord a year.

 

[Gark]

Hey toddnic that's a really good collection for a short time effort. Lotta work shows in your stacks.Good job!

 

[toddnic]

I am in western North Carolina in the Appalachian Mountains at about 4000 ft. elevation not too far from the Appalachian Trail and the Bartram Trail. Beautiful area with lots of mountains and wildlife.

 

[ScotO]

Looking good Todd. As Dave already mentioned, you'll be a LOT better off by putting either skids or something under the stacks to get your cordwood off of the ground....that ground contact stuff will get punky and never dry, and also it will not let air get under the stacks....

 

[toddnic]

Scotty, come on over and I'll let you show me how to restack it all on pallets

 

[ScotO]

Scotty, come on over and I'll let you show me how to restack it all on pallets

If you are anywhere near the Outer Banks, you're on!!

 

[Steamer]

Each stack is between 5 to 6 feet high, 15 to 16 feet in length, and between 20 - 22 inches wide. Calculates to about 4 1/2 to 5 cords. We measured each of the stacks after we got through stacking the wood.

Yes you have 4.5 face cords of wood [ 43 cubic ft ] and 1.5 full cord of wood [ 128 cubic ft ]

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Todd, I would not re-stack that this year but from here on out I'd advise you to do it. You can just cut saplings in the woods to use so no dollars involved and it is easier to stack on those than on pallets. In addition, after you use the wood, you won't have to stack up the pallets until they are needed. Heck, those short limbs you have laying there in front would work nicely to stack wood on.

As for the bottom of those stacks, as you use the wood I'd leave that bottom row and throw them on top of the next stacks as then they will dry out before the following heating season.

 

[schlot]

Nice job

 

[swagler85]

Yes you have 4.5 face cords of wood [ 43 cubic ft ] and 1.5 full cord of wood [ 128 cubic ft ]

Steamer I think your wrong there. Looks like less but I'm thinking its 6 cord if his numbers are right. If logs are 20" and there is 6 stacks that is 20"x 6=120" =10' now take 10'x5.5'x15.5 =852.5/128=6.7 cord. Am I wrong cause it does look like less but 20" splits are a lot bigger than what I'm used to seeing.

 

[swagler85]

And a big Welcome to the madhouse!

 

[toddnic]

You all are going to think I'm crazy but here is a copy of the spreadsheet that I used to determine my current BTU's to heat my home versus what I am going to need to heat it with wood. It also includes the measurements on the various stacks in the pictures. Currently at 4.4 cords.

 

[teutonicking]

Good job, and welcome. You will love the Progress Hybrid.

 

[Steamer]

Steamer I think your wrong there. Looks like less but I'm thinking its 6 cord if his numbers are right. If logs are 20" and there is 6 stacks that is 20"x 6=120" =10' now take 10'x5.5'x15.5 =852.5/128=6.7 cord. Am I wrong cause it does look like less but 20" splits are a lot bigger than what I'm used to seeing.

I stand corrected.
That's what happens when I try to calculate in my head with dinner coming to the table - ah snap!
That picture is very deceiving as it does not look like that much wood.

 

[PapaDave]

will not let air get under the stacks

"That picture is very deceiving as it does not look like that much wood."
Well, at least I wasn't the only one that thought those were smaller than they are.
Good point Scott. Air circulation is key.
20"(1.666')x6'x16' is 1.25 cord.
If you have the equivalent of 5 of those, there are, um, oh yeah.....6.25 cord in that first pic.
Whew, my thinking cap is smoking.

 

[PapaDave]

You all are going to think I'm crazy but here is a copy of the spreadsheet that I used to determine my current BTU's to heat my home versus what I am going to need to heat it with wood. It also includes the measurements on the various stacks in the pictures. Currently at 4.4 cords.

For some weird reason, this reminds me of "Alice's Restaurant".
If I read that right, you're about 10 million btu's short.
Crazy is relative. It's normal here.

 

[Bster13]

Math is for nerds, use this:
http://www.maine.gov/ag/firewood.html

 

[toddnic]

Here is another picture of the wood from above our house.

 

[firecracker_77]

Here is another picture of the wood from above our house.

View attachment 109270

Ohhhh....that's Purdy