Question about really old wood

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markam

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Dec 14, 2005
60
My father-in-law's next door neighbor has a very large pile of old rounds. They are at least 10 years old and could easily be 20+ yo. I have asked my FIL several times over the years to check with his neighbor about me taking a look at the wood. He finally did, so I dug through it a few days ago. Some of the wood had gone punky, but the rounds on the top were hard and dry. I grabbed a truck load. it was fun to process. Rounds that I would normally have trouble rolling could be carried in one hand, and I could split them with a stern look.

My question, of course, is what can I expect when i burn this stuff next winter?
 
What species of wood is it?

How well seasoned is your regular wood? If you use wood that is cut, split, and stacked in a location with good ventilation for a few years now, I'd expect you to notice little difference if it's a similar species. If your wood isn't generally that well seasoned, then perhaps it may burn hotter.

In all, wood generally doesn't dry that well in rounds (which is why a lot of what you found was punky). Did you put a moisture meter to the splits your processed?
 
I believe it is oak and sycamore. it is really old and really dry. I have never handled wood so light.
 
I believe it is oak and sycamore. it is really old and really dry. I have never handled wood so light.
I suspect if it is that light, it must be very punky.
 
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sycamore wouldn't be worth my time, way too much ash, and would be VERY light when dried that long.
 
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