Opinions on relocating stacks

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Rebelduckman

Rebelduckman

Minister of Fire
Dec 14, 2013
1,105
Pulaski, Mississippi
I've got around 3 cords stacked so far of mostly cherry and maple. I currently have them stacked under a big white oak close to the house. It's about the only level spot, that's mainly why I stacked it there. I have plenty other places I can stack it, it's just farther away from the house. I was thinking about moving it on the other side of the pond pictured about 200 yards away. It's out in the sun and would obviously be better. Would you take the time to move it all or just hope it gets dry enough where it's at by winter.
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I don't know man that seems like a lot of work. Would you move it all by hand with that wheel barrow?

Also...nice pond!
 
You could split the difference; Move the two middle stacks to the other side and make a single row over there, and there would be more space between the two remaining rows. If pond stuff ends up being appreciably drier, burn that first. If both spots get good wind, though, there may not be a whole lot of difference. My feeling is that you should be OK; Your splits don't look too big and you have a longer, hotter drying season. Is the Maple all that Red you got recently, or some hard Maple in there?
 
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If you are in doubt, trust you instincts. Woody's way of thinking would give you your best chance. I'm a beginner with a NC-30 this year, but I'll tell you it don't like wet wood. It turned up it's nose when served wood my old stove was more than happy to get.
 
HybridFyre said:
I don't know man that seems like a lot of work. Would you move it all by hand with that wheel barrow?

Also...nice pond!
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Thanks! Yea I'd rather not do it but it may be best to. Naw it wouldn't be done completely by hand. I'd use the front end loader or truck
 
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Woody Stover said:
You could split the difference; Move the two middle stacks to the other side and make a single row over there, and there would be more space between the two remaining rows. If pond stuff ends up being appreciably drier, burn that first. If both spots get good wind, though, there may not be a whole lot of difference. My feeling is that you should be OK; Your splits don't look too big and you have a longer, hotter drying season. Is the Maple all that Red you got recently, or some hard Maple in there?
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Great idea woody! I'm gonna try that. It's all red maple. I haven't found any hard on the property yet
 
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jeffesonm said:
I would leave it where it stands and spend that time cutting/splitting/stacking more wood.... the closer you get to 3 years ahead, the less you have to worry about drying time.
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That's just my soft stuff. I've got 3 more of oak and hickory c/s/s. I've still got another year or so to cut but I'm getting there
 
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Farther from the house would be better, both for drying and for keeping unwanted pests away from your house. Honestly though, I would not move it at this point. I would stack new wood farther from the house, and keep a bit close for times when you don't want to haul wood so far during the winter.
 
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Whatever place you choose for your stacks, be sure there's firm high ground between your house and that location. Much wood moving takes place in weather when low and wet areas may be soggy, such as the first and last few loads of each burn season. DAMHIKT.
 
Leave it be and stack more wood in your other spot. Nice stacks!
 
Rebelduckman said:
t's all red maple.
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That Red dried about the fastest of any of the woods I've had so far. I've not dried any yet but I'd expect Tulip to be even faster. With good air movement, the Red will be getting pretty dry by fall. You'll be able to tell when they are getting light in weight...same with the Cherry for that matter.
 
Woody Stover said:
That Red dried about the fastest of any of the woods I've had so far. I've not dried any yet but I'd expect Tulip to be even faster. With good air movement, the Red will be getting pretty dry by fall. You'll be able to tell when they are getting light in weight...same with the Cherry for that matter.
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Poplar huh? Ive got several small ones in a flat that needs thinning. I may give some of it a try too. Can't have too much wood!
 
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I would for sure. I had all my wood stacked in the driveway when i first moved into this house, but ended up setting aside a day to move it all to a much more open space around the back of the house. (all with wheel barrow due to lack of car access!!). It was the best thing i cold of done.
 
Hills Hoard said:
ended up setting aside a day to move it all to a much more open space around the back of the house. (all with wheel barrow due to lack of car access!!)
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More like a few hours, if he can get the truck close. He might be OK leaving it as is but I would err on the side of caution. No substitute for dry wood. Now if, as others suggested, he can get more quick-dry stacked on the other side as a Plan B...
 
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Rebel, If you do move it with your wheel barrow, count how many loads per core. I've roughly figured 28, but it'd be nice to have a more accurate count.
 
Charlie2 said:
Rebel, If you do move it with your wheel barrow, count how many loads per core. I've roughly figured 28, but it'd be nice to have a more accurate count.
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I most likely wont unless the 2500 Chevy or mahindra 60 suddenly stops working. I will get you a count if by chance I do though
 
maple and cherry dry fairly quickly. I would put a cover with some air space on top of the stacks and leave them there. A pallet on top at a slight tilt to drain the water off with some tin on top works real well.
 
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Save the primo drying area for oak storage. Maple and cherry will dry in their current area.
 
Charlie2 said:
If you are in doubt, trust you instincts. Woody's way of thinking would give you your best chance. I'm a beginner with a NC-30 this year, but I'll tell you it don't like wet wood. It turned up it's nose when served wood my old stove was more than happy to get.
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Bet your flue wasn't happy to get that wet wood however.
 
Don't move it. It's not worth the time or energy. Any new wood stack on the other side of the pond. Being that it it's cherry and maple it will season fairly quickly right where it is.
 
Thanks guys for the opinions. I've decided not to move any wood I have stacked currently. I am gonna stack fresh wood here now and in the future. I had a little cherry split that I put out there today. Gonna cut another cord or so of the soft stuff just to be on the safe side. Last winter was tough even for southerners.
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Woody, I do plan to put some air between some of the ones I do have stacked to help the drying. That'll make me feel a lot better and wont be too much work to do it
 
Rebelduckman said:
Woody, I do plan to put some air between some of the ones I do have stacked to help the drying. That'll make me feel a lot better and wont be too much work to do it
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Can't hurt. I looked at the equilibrium moisture for your area, and it's low enough. The Red will dry pretty quickly there and the Cherry won't be too far behind. I think you'll have some pretty dry wood by this fall. :cool:
 
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