Stacking Wood Against a Tree

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Uper

Member
Feb 5, 2010
239
Eastern UP, MI
Has anyone noticed any problems with stacking your splits against a live tree? I'm thinking things like soil compaction and maybe a place for insects to infest. I want to stack between several trees, but don't want to see them decline as they will be near my garage. Thanks for your thoughts.
 
I know that several people do it with no ill effects, but I would worry mostly about limiting airflow around the trunk- that could cause rot.

Every time I see people making that dumb mulch volcano around tree trunks I think the same thing. Why it got popular I'll never know, but I have watched those trees die over the course of 3-5 years.

Wood stack is not nearly as bad I suppose.
 
you gonna season your wood in the shade?

I don't think you'll have major problems, but I don't know that from any sort of personal experience. Just seems like there could be better options. Do you have an alternative location if this is deemed to be a bad idea?
 
I've read of some people having troubles with the stack bothering the bark of the supporting tree. Don't recall what kind of tree and have never seen it myself.
I've stacked against pine, norway maple, cherry and oak.

Younger trees can do a bit of wiggling in the wind.
You can find your stack in a heap.
This I have seen myself.
 
This topic comes up periodically, and I think the general consensus is to not do it if you can avoid it. Soil compaction, limited air flow, and you can also physically damage the trunk bark depending on how the wood is stacked, e.g., wedged in tight on the ends. I'm in the process of weening myself off this practice. I'm also not splitting near preferred trees any more, as the flying splits can really do a number on the trunk bark :red:
 
Adios Pantalones said:
I know that several people do it with no ill effects, but I would worry mostly about limiting airflow around the trunk- that could cause rot.

Every time I see people making that dumb mulch volcano around tree trunks I think the same thing. Why it got popular I'll never know, but I have watched those trees die over the course of 3-5 years.

Wood stack is not nearly as bad I suppose.

Mulch Volcano would be a tasty band name.
 
Adios Pantalones said:
Every time I see people making that dumb mulch volcano around tree trunks I think the same thing. Why it got popular I'll never know, but I have watched those trees die over the course of 3-5 years.

All the "Pro" landscapers do that on all the trees in the commercial businesses around here. Rarely a cone in the middle that's keeping the mulch from contacting the trunk. Supposed to rot the bark and a no-no in every single landscaping and arborist book I've ever read and yet there they are, year after year. I don't quite understand the need for that much mulch either, but I guess it gets the bill paid. - if that's what moneybags wants, that's what moneybags gets ....
 
One problem is the live tree will move when the wind blows and your wood stack may topple...

Ray
 
raybonz said:
One problem is the live tree will move when the wind blows and your wood stack may topple...

Ray

+2
EXACTLY Ray!
 
I quit the practice of stacking against trees....messes up the bark. I just don't want to hurt my live trees if I can avoid it.
 
I don't see anything wrong with it and I have done it between a few trees. I think it looks quite nice. I know one guy that I pass on the way to the golf course that stacks cherry between pine trees that he cut the bottom branches off. Never seems to even get any snow on the wood and I never saw a stack toppled. The trees I have it between are 36 inch trunks, the wind is not going to move them and I cannot imagine it hurting the bark.
 
For sure, do you want the wood rubbing on the tree every time the wind blows? How about it knocking over your stacks if the wind gets too strong. But damaging the tree has to be the number on consideration be it from the rubbing or lack of air flow or whatever. Also, the wood will be in the shade and I like to have it in sun if possible but for sure out where it will get the wind. If you stack it in the trees, most times you don't get as good of an air flow that is needed to dry the wood.

Besides, it is really simple to stack the wood without the help of a permanent end. Some still use T posts but I simply use the wood that needs stacking. Our piles don't tip over either.
 
Here in small backyard I've been stacking 2 rows between north 80+yr old heavy chainlink fence & 3 larger Walnuts south for years with no problem.Wood never falls over,once in a while a raccoon,opossum or a neighbor's cat might knock off a few pieces from top row.It gets good airflow,lots of wind around here,especially Spring & Fall. At parents acreage most all is stored in shed,when its full,any extra is leaned against several trees nearby.
 
I have a stack between two junk buckthron trees about 4 feet apart that I want to die a fast death anyway. Just don't stack over about 4 foot or as others have said, when the trees sway in the wind your piles will topple. Would I stack against a good tree? Probably not, but these two I have are going to meet the chainsaw this summer anyway, so... it makes for a great stacking location.
 
Cate
Leave 4' tall stumps and you don't lose your stack stoppers. Could take a number of years to rot. Cut the top on an angle for drainage.
Will
 
I stack some of my wood between some trees . . . and some I just stack with the criss cross ends. Haven't noticed any real issues . . . then again these trees are medium or large trees . . . and three of the five are pine which tend to have a thicker bark when they get older. The stacks under the trees don't get as much sun, but they get plenty of wind and by the time I get around to burning the wood in two years the wood is good to go. Haven't noticed any real issues with bugs, soil compacting (then again this is off to the side of my lawn), needing to restack (larger trees) or any other issues.
 
I did it once... then had to restack almost 2 cords when it got windy and the trees moved enough to knock the stacks over.
 
Learn to box-stack the ends and it's never an issue up to about 5'. Split rounds into squares and they stack even better.

I never use poles, trees, etc- just box stacking the ends- it's sexier too.
 
Tried that once and it failed horribly. I find it easier to lb a T post or 2x4 in the ground.

Adios Pantalones said:
Learn to box-stack the ends and it's never an issue up to about 5'. Split rounds into squares and they stack even better.

I never use poles, trees, etc- just box stacking the ends- it's sexier too.
 
Willman said:
Cate
Leave 4' tall stumps and you don't lose your stack stoppers. Could take a number of years to rot. Cut the top on an angle for drainage.
Will

That is exactly my plan. Good call, Will!
 
I stack between trees and have no problems.

I would recommend placing something on the ground to keep your wood off the ground. Depending on your sun angle you should be fine getting sun and wind to the stack. I have laid down a bed of 3/4 inch stone between my stacking trees which helps with drainage under the stacks.

There is no shame in doing this. Had one too many box stack ends torn down growing up because they were not quite right and swore that I would never build them again. If I do not stack between trees, I will stack between metal posts, build wood ends- whatever it takes to avoid those darn corners.
 
I went ahead and started some stacks and thought I would throw some pictures in to show what I'm doing. Part of my plan is to get enough stacked between trees to create a fence/barrier to the yapping lap dog next door that thinks it's mission in life is to disturb our peace. I don't know if it will be enough, but it doubles as a way to get all my wood stacked. The neighbrohood has taken down some maple and beech trees of which I am trying to scrounge up enough to get three full years of wood. That way I'll have enough to season even in the shade if need be. Being on a small lot, space is limited.
 

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raybonz said:
One problem is the live tree will move when the wind blows and your wood stack may topple...

Ray







yep +3 have restacked a couple of times
the shame is I dont burn wood but
have woods to keep clean so I stack it where it falls
 
Uper said:
I went ahead and started some stacks and thought I would throw some pictures in to show what I'm doing. Part of my plan is to get enough stacked between trees to create a fence/barrier to the yapping lap dog next door that thinks it's mission in life is to disturb our peace. I don't know if it will be enough, but it doubles as a way to get all my wood stacked. The neighbrohood has taken down some maple and beech trees of which I am trying to scrounge up enough to get three full years of wood. That way I'll have enough to season even in the shade if need be. Being on a small lot, space is limited.

Only issue I see right from the get go is I can't see if you have something underneath the wood to get it off the ground . . . that is a crucial thing . . . you want the wood off the ground so it doesn't rot and can season. Some folks use saplings, pallets, blocks, dimensional lumber,etc. . . . anything to allow some airflow and not have the wood contacting the ground.
 
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