Split size seasoning difference

To me it makes no difference as I am on a 4 year rotation. But if you need it quicker than the 3 inch would be ready in maybe 2 full years in a sunny spot with wind.

I had great success drying red oak in one year using shrink wrap to act like a solar kiln and putting it in an area of full sun. Your mileage may vary.

It would seem that a 6" thick split would take twice as long as a 3" thick split, all other factors being the same. And the effect may be greater than that according to some lumber drying charts I've seen. I've heard it said that oak takes one year per inch, but I don't know how accurate that is, and there are so many other factors to consider.

But I've noticed a big difference when splitting small. The wood is thinner and the exposed surface area is greater. It has to dry faster.

This is a factor that is rarely mentioned when discussing drying times. In some cases, such as quick drying softwoods, etc, even thickly split wood can dry adequately within several months, so it may not matter much if you are preparing it in early spring for the following winter. But for denser wood, it can make the difference between burning next year or waiting a few years. Or if you have a light softwood and only have a few months, it may make the difference.

If you have time constraints, there are other ways to accelerate the process, but you would want to start with easy drying species at least for the first year, then try to steer into a three year plan with the denser wood. I know it worked for me that way.

This link is to a site for lumber, but the essentials are the same. http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G5550

The thicker pieces will take a bit longer. I wouldn't say twice as long though. If you have a climate similar to ours, c/s/s in single rows exposed to sun and wind should get you where you need to be in a single year. Virtually all our firewood is 3-8" splits at 18" length and it is good and dry on a January to September, single year, rotation.

Larger splits certainly take longer to cure and oak does not give up moisture quickly. Bark holds moisture in as well. Splits without bark will cure sooner than splits with it.

Since you are limited for storage space, split your wood small and stack in a row, or double rows with a couple feet of space between 'em. Avoid stacking against a structure wall or solid slat fence ~ air needs to move through.

The other consideration is whether it's limb wood or stump wood. This winter I had identical oak splits and one would cook off and the other not. One was limb and the other stump. Stump wood definitely takes longer to season than limbwood. If you're pressed for time and space, I'd opt to make the last splits you'll use bigger (split/stack first), and make the first splits you use smaller (split/stack last), if that makes any sense.

In my opinion, wood will still make progress in Dec, Jan, Feb.

For a dense wood like oak I'd split as small as you can stand because even an inch or two will make a difference if you're on a one-year rotation.