best wood for next year?

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bad69bird

bad69bird

Member
Oct 7, 2011
62
New London Pa
Took advantage of woodstocks sale and ordered myself a keystone. I am new to cats and dont want to mess it up. What do you guys think is my best option for wood for next year? I have tons of cherry that was irene damage cut within two weeks following the storm, been splitting ever since and finished this past weekend all stacked. Not sure of the variety but I have plenty of poplars i can cut down now, I know they are not tulip. I also have tons of ash I can take down, small amount of black walnut and tons of pine to be taken down. which should I get working on first? Thanks for the help
 
Ash. Easy to split. Sesaons fast. Burns good.
 
Sounds like you have a wood lot to cut on. If you have the choice I would start with trees already down and then standing dead. Ash and pine both season quickly and will be ready for next winter if you get it split and stacked by spring time. The Cherry you already got to should be ready too.
 
The best wood for next year is the wood you cut last year. :)
 
I think any of those woods should be OK if you can split and stack them now. I'd split small - 4 inch on a side or smaller.
 
oldspark said:
The best wood for next year is the wood you cut last year. :)
Click to expand...

Well said!!! (cut AND split last year)
 
oldspark said:
The best wood for next year is the wood you cut last year. :)
Click to expand...


+1
It's called:
"Gotten wood" :)
 
I'd suggest working them up based on how much they block access, or reduce options, for the others.

I.E. the ones that are in your way, get them first. Stuff for "shoulder season" should have some priority.
 
THE stuff gotten last year is the stuff I'm burning this year in my insert. As far as being a wooded lot or trees in the way that is not the case. My parents and uncle share a six acre lot and apparently have a thing against trees. I like the trees on the property but am not going to turn down free heat. I just pick the ugliest trees first.
 
Ash, cherry, pine and poplar . . . in that order. All these woods season pretty quickly . . . but to get the most out of the wood you want to season the best burning woods (BTU wise) the longest . . . which is why I suggested going for the ash and then the cherry . . .
 
Black locust would be a possibility if you have any in your area. I cut some standing dead locust (with most of the bark already falling off) last week. Did a check with the moisture meter and most of the splits were reading 18% and 19%.
 
firefighterjake said:
Ash, cherry, pine and poplar . . . in that order. All these woods season pretty quickly . . . but to get the most out of the wood you want to season the best burning woods (BTU wise) the longest . . . which is why I suggested going for the ash and then the cherry . . .
Click to expand...

I agree with Jake. The Cherry that you cut and split should be ready for next fall. Get as much Ash cut AND split as you can ASAP. The Ash is probably the best you have to work with, especially if you are short on time.

+1 on the Black Locust if you can get your hands on any. Pretty fast to season and burns long and hot.
 
Assuming you are cutting this on your own property. Cut the fallen, ugly, and in the way trees first. :)

If you are splitting it in the next couple months, any of the species you mentioned will burn okay by Thanksgiving. If you are cutting Oak, Mullberry, etc you should still cut it now so it will be ready for the year after.
 
Only thing I would add is don't look just for next years wood, look farther ahead. Split and stacked off the ground the wood will last a very long time. $ in the bank and its not taxed! You've got a nice stove, enjoy! :)
 
wishlist said:
Only thing I would add is don't look just for next years wood, look farther ahead. Split and stacked off the ground the wood will last a very long time. $ in the bank and its not taxed! You've got a nice stove, enjoy! :)
Click to expand...
I Made that mistake last year getting perpared for this year. Wont make that mistake twice I have about 4-5 cord split. at least that much cut up on the ground at a friends That i just cant get to till the ground freezes. In adition to my parents lot my FIL got me access to a 90 acre property that loses trees by the week and they want it cleaned up soon as they drop.
 
Kyle M said:
Took advantage of woodstocks sale and ordered myself a keystone. I am new to cats and dont want to mess it up. What do you guys think is my best option for wood for next year? I have tons of cherry that was irene damage cut within two weeks following the storm, been splitting ever since and finished this past weekend all stacked. Not sure of the variety but I have plenty of poplars i can cut down now, I know they are not tulip. I also have tons of ash I can take down, small amount of black walnut and tons of pine to be taken down. which should I get working on first? Thanks for the help
Click to expand...

Congratulations on the new stove Kyle.

That cherry which was cut this year will burn great next year. Poplar can be cut one winter and burned the next with no problems. Ash will burn well after a year because it starts out with low moisture. Just remember the key is to get the wood split as soon as possible and stack it out in the wind to dry.
 
I have had good success with ash after a year it burns very well and throws a lot of heat. Try to get a couple of years ahead 2 years if possible so that it will burn even better the longer dried the better. Wood will always have moister due to the humidity in the air but it should be well below 20% after 2 years.

Good luck
Pete
 
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