Crosswise stacking secrets

I don't get too fancy with it. A lot of times I won't even cross-stack, but every few levels I will put a couple of splits crossways to the main stack; Then I can go pretty much straight up with the end of the stack. My ends aren't all that pretty but they usually remain standing, and that's good enough for me.
If I do cross-stack, I only put two splits per level so I don't have to match them up as much, just save out some splits that are pretty close in thickness and it should work.

Here's what I started doing last year - splitting some flat slabs to use for cross-stacking. It's not hard to do, just have to watch carefully when splitting so they'll be square or close to it.

All your splits don't need to be like this... just the ones you'll be cross stacking.

Just the ends - and the debate continues as to what is better - Cribs or fence posts/other??

Fence posts are simple - cribs are always there just use your noodle building them. Both work well for the purpose and there is no reason(or benefit)to cribbing your whole stack.

I have both going on and will continue as such but do not plan to buy any fence posts - they were just here and if I get more "free" I will take them. Get in the habit of tossing squares and even splits toward the ends as you stack - build as you go up.

Use the slabs (or half rounds if the round is small enough) for the end cribbing . . . or if you're really good (or have a hydraulic splitter) make rectangles and squares for the ultimate in wood cribbing.

Don't stack too high.

Take the time to make sure the ends are stable. Ideally they should stand upright on their own without having to lean towards the wood in the center or the stack behind it . . . but if you're going to put a bit of a lean into a stack, it's better to have it lean a bit in towards the center wood.

Save the chunks and uglies for going on top of the stack.

If there is a secret, its only use flat square splits. Sometimes they aren't available, depending on the type of wood. Its best to split your own wood to get these type of splits.

shoot-straight said:

i see that many use the crosswise stacking method. no doubt it lets more air in. i drool over the nice and neat crosswise stacks of wood that seems to be perfect in length and diameter.

any tips or secrets for us normal folk who have difficulty doing so with oddly shaped splits? i rarely have stuff thats uniform.

Click to expand...

There is no secret. Just build it solid. Notice the first picture does not look too solid but it stood for 4 years with no problem. Picture 2 shows a close up. Notice that we do tend to split a lot of our splits in rectangles which does work really well for the ends. Picture 3 shows a neighbor who came after some wood. That stack was 3 years old and still solid. The last picture is a stack that was built in April of 2009. It still stands today and will be burned next winter.

One thing we do is stop stacking when it gets to be approximately 4 1/2' high. Any higher and it seems lots of folks find themselves re-stacking at some point.

I have cross stacked 40'x4'x4' this winter to see if it dries faster or better. For the past 4 years I have just crossed the ends to hold it all together. I did 20' of oak and 20' of pine I need to take the time to learn how to post a picture here from my I-Pad because pictures tell it all

I can tell you this you don't get as much in 8'x4'x4' cross stacked.

If you're not selling firewood it shouldn't matter how many pieces are in your stacks. Just do what ever it takes to keep them secure.
I crisscross the ends for stability but also it keeps the stacks square so no pieces just roll off or worse. You have a lot more control
what your pieces look like with a hydraulic splitter. you can get nice squared off pieces for crisscross. Before I had a splitter I just
swung away and came up with all different shapes

Here's a pic. of my cross stacked oak and pine (20' of each). And another 12 pallet getting started.

Thats impressive. Cross stacking looks really nice even though its alot of work.
How did you download pics from your IPad?

Thanks Applesister I gave up on the I-pad for now and figured out that I could use my I phone to post pictures. There is an app you can get that will let you do pic. from the I-pad but you must have 5.0 or better and I have no home comp. to up grade mine. Someday I will stop by an Apple store and get it upgraded.

I am cutting the poorer quality trees out of my woods, so I often have a twisted grain. Pieces with a twist that rock side-to-side when stacked are not well suited to cross-stacking.

A stove that takes longer splits is a big help (wider, more stable stack).

tried it once, looked great, but now i just hammer in a stake....

Great question. I don't know the answer, but I suspect consistent adequate length and shape are a big plus.

After seeing how much better the air circulated around crosswise stacked splits in the fire place, and how better they burned, it struck me they would dry much faster that way too. If the opportunity presents itself, and if I have enough splits of sufficient dimensions, I'll definitely consider rearranging some of my pile

Backwoods Savage said:

There is no secret. Just build it solid. Notice the first picture does not look too solid but it stood for 4 years with no problem. Picture 2 shows a close up. Notice that we do tend to split a lot of our splits in rectangles which does work really well for the ends. Picture 3 shows a neighbor who came after some wood. That stack was 3 years old and still solid. The last picture is a stack that was built in April of 2009. It still stands today and will be burned next winter.

One thing we do is stop stacking when it gets to be approximately 4 1/2' high. Any higher and it seems lots of folks find themselves re-stacking at some point.

View attachment 123901 View attachment 123902 View attachment 123903 View attachment 123904 View attachment 123905 View attachment 123906 View attachment 123907

Click to expand...

Don't let him kid you! You got any idea how much used bubble gum there is holding those nice looking stacks together! Sorry Dennis I could keep you secret any longer!

poor Dennis is taking a whooping tonight!

Okay, one you haven't seen yet.

Backwoods Savage said:

Okay, one you haven't seen yet.
View attachment 124738

Click to expand...

Okay, you want stacks? Here's mine!

Backwoods Savage said:

Okay, one you haven't seen yet.
View attachment 124738

Click to expand...

How much do you burn per season, say on a 5 season average?

Is there a reason why you guys go three wide on your stacks? Wouldn't two wide or even singles be better for air flow and quicker seasoning. Is it solely a space saver?

Berner said:

Is there a reason why you guys go three wide on your stacks? Wouldn't two wide or even singles be better for air flow and quicker seasoning. Is it solely a space saver?

Click to expand...

Don't get him started! .

Berner said:

Is there a reason why you guys go three wide on your stacks? Wouldn't two wide or even singles be better for air flow and quicker seasoning. Is it solely a space saver?

Click to expand...

Backwoods is like a wood processing Shaulin Master. To learn the secret of the pallet stack, you must first enter the temple and master the ten steps....

The secret is in the split not so much the stack. Split rectangle or square rather than triangle. If the split is correct, the stack is as easy as stacking blocks....... uh, well dats jes what you doin I guess. Not to worry, after 30 or so years of learning how to split square and uniform, you to will have artistic stacks like Backwoods. I am humbled by, and bow to his experience.