That three year plan

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kversch

kversch

Member
Dec 26, 2014
153
New York
Trying to do what I can to get three plus years ahead of css wood. The biggest problem I have is a lack of places to stack that are in really good sun. I have plenty of places that get good wind, But my yard holds a lot of shade.

Is stacking in the shade ok when you start getting three plus years out?
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Mostly oak with some black locust and hickory mixed in stacked in the spot that gets the most sun during the day.

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Next years 16/17 wood stacked in the background on the edge of a pine tree hedgerow. 17/18 wood piled up waiting pallets. All down the hill in the backyard.

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Poplar hopefully drying out for next
 
Wind's better than nothing. Sun and wind is best but you have to work with what you have. I would top cover the finished stacks though.
 
Wind does more drying than the sun. Stacking in the shade is fine, but either top cover or blow the stacks off with a leaf blower to try to keep the buildup down.
 
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You could think about girdling some of those shading trees.
 
By stacks are s in my (open slatted) barn, so it doesn't get any sun at all, but the barn faces the prevailing wind, so plenty of drying wind.
 
Montanalocal said:
You could think about girdling some of those shading trees.
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I have values besides firewood seasoning and I suspect many other people do too. Once you girdle a tree its fate has been decided. Might as well tell him to drop the tree that is casting a shadow.
 
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I have a lot of my wood stacked in the woods doesn't get the greatest sun, but gets on heck of a westerly wind. The stuff that is the closest to be burned next will get the best sun spots. Just keep an eye on the stuff couple years out you will be fine.
 
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Stacking in the shade is fine when you're three years ahead.

I find leaves and pine needles on the top of the stack tends to rot that wood so I've used a cover and/or a leaf blower .
 
I plan to get them covered come spring.
Montanalocal said:
You could think about girdling some of those shading trees.
Click to expand...
maybe if I had to manny trees. But the trees were one of the main reason we bought this hous last year. Wife and I fell in love with it feels like we're off in the mountains. I have been selectively removing some trees and uplifting all the limbs to try to get some more sun in where the wood is stacked
 
You have a choice. Get three years ahead with the shade or open up a sunny spot and only need to cut wood for the year following. You should be able to fully season hard woods in a single season if single stacked, off the ground, and cut/split to reasonable size. I typically cut to 18ish inch length and 3-6 inch split. I'm usually done cutting by the end of January and have properly seasoned wood by the upcoming heating season. This method has never failed me. And yes, don't worry, your poplar will be dry enough to burn next year.
 
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