Face Cord?

a 'face cord' is the same as a rick.

http://www.woodheat.org/firewood/cord.htm

gary said:

Pardon my ignorance but I have see the term "face cord" used here a number of times and that is not a unit of measurement I am familiar with. Out here in the Kansas Flint Hills, a cord is 4 ft. x 4ft. x 8 ft. A rick is half a cord. Some folks will try to pass off a pickup load as a cord at times, but at best it might make 3/4.

By the way, how have you all been?

Gary

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A "face cord" is not a standard or legal measurement. The problem is that it isn't consistent as it depends on the length of the splits. While a cord is defined as a pile 4' deep, 4' high and 8' long, (or any other combo that adds up to 128 cubic feet) no matter what the size of the splits that make it up, a "Face Cord" is a pile 4' high x 8' long x whatever the length of the split is - thus if you have 12" splits it's 1/4 cord, 16" splits 1/3 cord, and 24" splits 1/2 cord... Technically, in most states the ONLY legal way to sell wood is in units of a cord (or fraction of a cord) However the face cord is still in common use in many areas despite it's vagueness. Personally I'd tend to be suspicious of any wood guy selling by the face cord unless he specifies the split length in the description - even then I'd rather see the cord fraction.

Gooserider

gary said:

Thanks Goose. I kind of suspected it was a term the sellers used. Somewhat arbritary.
Like youeself and many others, I cut my own wood but keep an eye out for the going rate.

Based on the last advertisements, cut and split oak (delivered and stacked) was @$165.00/cord around here. Mixed hardwood was @ 130.00/cord (delivered and stacked). By the way, according to the K-State Extension Service- Hardwood is defined as any tree that drops it's leaves in the fall (i.e. everything but evergreeens, cedar, pine, etc.).

Gary

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The extension service is correct, that is the technical definition - it is kind of amusing to realize that to a botanist, balsa is a "Hardwood" :lol: Given the wide range of heating potential in woods, I would definitely ask what went into the "mixed hardwoods" - if it's mostly maple and other quality stuff, that is a pretty decent price, though not as good as self processed log length.

My first season I purchased a couple cords and paid more - without even getting it stacked - essentially a dump-truck load, dumped. After I stacked it, both cords were a bit short as well.

Gooserider

"Face Cord" is the most common measure that wood is sold by in this area. It is actually 1/3 of a full cord, not 1/2 as suggested earlier.

I still believe that the best way to buy and sell wood is by the full cord, which is 128 cu. ft..

A face cord, as griz says, is typically a third of a cord. Usually, it's a stack of 16-inch wood stacked 4 feet high and eight feet long. Three of those makes a cord.

However, a 4x8xwhatever the length of the chunks are, is also technically a face cord. So if you had 2-foot wood, a face cord would in fact be 4x2x8.

My Ford Ranger holds a face cord of 2-foot wood. I know that because three loads makes a full cord.

Eric Johnson said:

A face cord, as griz says, is typically a third of a cord. Usually, it's a stack of 16-inch wood stacked 4 feet high and eight feet long. Three of those makes a cord.

However, a 4x8xwhatever the length of the chunks are, is also technically a face cord. So if you had 2-foot wood, a face cord would in fact be 4x2x8.

My Ford Ranger holds a face cord of 2-foot wood. I know that because three loads makes a full cord.

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Computation error somewheres there? If you have 2' splits, then an FC = 1/2 cord, and you should only need two loads in the Ranger to = 1 cord? If you need three, then it would sound like you are only getting about 2/3 of an FC per load...

Gooserider

I agree. Around these parts, 99.9% of the people think a cord of wood is 4'x8'x16."

If you try to sell a full cord of wood, when you tell them the price they immediately think you are nuts. For example, last year I had a fellow who wanted some birch cut to length and split. He wanted 2 or 3 cords. I told him that 3 "cords" of what he wanted was actually a full cord and he said he understood. He would take some because he could use 3 cords (his words). I was happy to get rid of the birch and most who have fireplaces are happy to be able to get it and getting it green made no difference to him as he would still let it season and he would also pick up the wood.

I cut, split and stacked a cord of white birch and was very generous with the measurment as the stack measured about 4.5' x 8.5' x 4.5.' When finished, I called him to say it was ready. He asked me the price and because of the situation (anothe story) I informed him he could have it all for $90.00. Well, I found out what a highway robber I was trying to be.... I ended up giving it away to a needy family, so it was not all lost.

MrGriz said:

"Face Cord" is the most common measure that wood is sold by in this area. It is actually 1/3 of a full cord, not 1/2 as suggested earlier.

I still believe that the best way to buy and sell wood is by the full cord, which is 128 cu. ft..

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Yep, brain fart on my part. I have corrected my response and added what is, hopefully, a helpful link.

gary said:

Thank you, my friend. I know things like a chain is 66 ft., a rod is 16.5 ft., and the distance between a lot of fence posts is based on the revolution of a 36 in. wagon wheel, but face cord was really throwing me.

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Gary, Just ask your local dealer what is his measurements of a face cord is?? You are going to find that everyone has different opinions on what a face cord is and or measures to.
Firewoodguy