Question aboat oak

If you split it now it should be OK in the fall . I split mine in the fall and burn it the same year. I would try to split it soon . John

Split some thin and they may be ready by november if you have good wind & sun exposer. Medium and larger splits mixed in with the smaller splits will burn okay in January.

Stack it loosely.

I agree with Wellbuilthome, Get it split and stacked fro air drying and it will be ready by next winter.

How long would it take if it was stacked pretty tightly in an area (off the ground) that was 7'x5'x16'?

Spikem said:

How long would it take if it was stacked pretty tightly in an area (off the ground) that was 7'x5'x16'?

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If it's stacked tightly, it won't dry well. Oak holds onto moisture like a one armed midget hanging out of a plane without a parachute.

What kind of oak?

If it’s stacked tightly, it won’t dry well. Oak holds onto moisture like a one armed midget hanging out of a plane without a parachute.

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Understood. However, the wood in question is not being counted on until the 2010-2011 burning season.

Should it dry out enough by then?

What kind of oak?

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Red Oak mostly. Lots of maple (nasty stuff to split by hand!) as well.

I'm wondering where in the world this saying comes from? Good thing we're not in the politically correct around here, or someone would ask you to edit that to "height challenged."

"If it's stacked tightly, it won't dry well. Oak holds onto moisture like a one armed midget hanging out of a plane without a parachute."

Spikem said:

If it’s stacked tightly, it won’t dry well. Oak holds onto moisture like a one armed midget hanging out of a plane without a parachute.

Click to expand...

Understood. However, the wood in question is not being counted on until the 2010-2011 burning season.

Should it dry out enough by then?

What kind of oak?

Click to expand...

Red Oak mostly. Lots of maple (nasty stuff to split by hand!) as well.

Click to expand...

Red oak definitely needs two summers and three doesn't hurt. But if you stack it loosely it should be okay for 2010-2011. Like I usually say, don't cover the pile the first summer so the moisture can evaporate better, then cover only the top. You should be fine.

Is there a benefit to a squirrel running through it? does their fur absorb more mosisture than a dog ? How about a cat?

I couldn't resist

is pin oak and red oak the same thing?

I tend to stack tighter than I should, and have lots of red oak. I do not get much sun but do get the wind and it definitely takes two years for the oak, others dry much quicker.

f3cbboy said:

is pin oak and red oak the same thing?

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Very close as far as firewood goes, but different species of oak.

A pin oak dragged behind a tractor makes an effective rake. A red oak makes ruts . I hope this helps

f3cbboy said:

is pin oak and red oak the same thing?

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same family of red oaks

Seasoning times for pin oak is pretty much the same as red oak. As Bill stated, it is in the same family as red oak. You can verify that in the summer when leaves are on. Red oaks have a pointed leaf tips where the white oak family has rounded leaf tips.

mike1234 said:

I'm wondering where in the world this saying comes from? Good thing we're not in the politically correct around here, or someone would ask you to edit that to "height challenged."

"If it's stacked tightly, it won't dry well. Oak holds onto moisture like a one armed midget hanging out of a plane without a parachute."

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I'm sure I've heard Dr. Phil say this one....

Kneerat said:

Im cutting up an oak that has been down for two years now. At the base it is about 24" across. How long will it take after splitting to be good and seasoned?

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hhhhmmmmm.....i ruined a model 37 rite-way with some 27 year old oak that was stacked up beside a steam furnace for that amount of time in my father's basement,by forgeting to close the door completely tight. when i noticed the cherry red stove, i did look in to see the foam still comming out of the ends of the wood in the stove :bug: so i guess out of all the reply's here.....it's anybody's guess as to how long :-/

karri0n said:

Spikem said:

How long would it take if it was stacked pretty tightly in an area (off the ground) that was 7'x5'x16'?

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Oak holds onto moisture like a one armed midget hanging out of a plane without a parachute.

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"I'm a one-armed midget and I've never hung out of a plane" Just Kidding, but where did you get that come back from?