Need To Get Ready For Next Year... And The Next... And So On... And So On...

Yes, it is a sad state of affairs when new folks start burning wood and then find out it is not like gas or oil where you can just call and get fuel when you need it. But, that is how this game is so we have to live with it. I've always preached 2-3 years wood supply on hand at all times. That will take care of 99% of wood burning problems. The hard part is getting there but once you have that much wood supply, the rest is easy.

I highly suggest you learn which types of wood burn best and which types of wood that are in your area will burn the best. Then try scrounging for some wood like many on this forum do. If that is not possible, then rather than adding more dollars to your savings, add a bunch to your wood stash. That extra wood will pay back much better than a CD or savings account! Good luck to you.

I agree you should get ahead, but I wouldn't worry too much about the type of wood. get whatever you can find, dry it out, and burn it. Then you'll know for certain what types of wood burn best for you.

Backwoods Savage said:

rather than adding more dollars to your savings, add a bunch to your wood stash. That extra wood will pay back much better than a CD or savings account! Good luck to you.

Click to expand...

Agree 100%, best return you will ever get is an investment in wood for a few years time. Not only will the wood season and become more valuable, as more people buy woodburners, the price of firewood will probably tend to increase a bit.

And it's great to see a newbie who has learned the most important lesson in woodburning so quickly, look forward to hearing how you get on

New Fire Guy, you keep learning like that and we will be calling you Old fire Guy in no time.

If you find anyone, please share. I'm right down the road in Canton and could use a good supplier.

new fire guy, maybe now is not the time to be buying more wood for this year. Maybe take that cash and go get a chainsaw, axe etc. and start working on next year. Then you will have the tools to be self sufficient. Also you may find some standing dead or other things that you can process and burn this year. Hard pill to sallow for sure, but relaying on others in the wood game is not the way to go IMO. Please understand that my advice is worth what you paid for it.

oldspark said:

New Fire Guy, you keep learning like that and we will be calling you Old fire Guy in no time.

Click to expand...

Ya, and you might even remember when you were called youngspark! :lol:

The worst thing about getting old is remembering when you were young.

New Fire Guy,
good luck getting some more wood. If the funds are available and you have space to stack it, get next years wood while you're at it.
The sooner you're able to get a couple more years wood put up, the better.

Hi fellow CT resident,

I'm quickly running out of wood also. I'm doing the scavenging route and taking all the dead stuff I can find in my woods. The problem is most of the dead is either punk, or it still has a lot of water in it, plus with all the snow the workout of carrying the wood out of the woods is getting on my nerves. My New Yorker runs on wood or coal, and I'm thinking about getting a ton or two of coal to get me through the rest of this winter. I think a ton of coal is the same as 150 gallons of oil BTU-wise. The ton of coal is $260, which is quite a bit less than the oil I'd be saving. Good look with your wood hunt.

being new to wood i really dont know how much i should be ahead, i figure it never goes to waste. i have read lots of posts with fellows burning X amount of cords per winter..... i m not sure that everyone refers to the same amount as a cord. i just keep cutting and stacking rows upon rows until it appears to be enough. i have cut and stacked next winters wood a year ago so what im cutting now will age 2 years before i get to burn it. who would have though that burning wood was so complicated?

bucketboy, it matters not where you are. A cord of wood is equal to 128 cu. in. Good to hear you are going to get 2 years ahead on your wood. It surely would be nice if everyone did that.

oldspark said:

The worst thing about getting old is remembering when you were young.

Click to expand...

A good thing about getting old is when you can still remember when you were young!

Lukas060606 said:

taking all the dead stuff I can find in my woods. The problem is most of the dead is either punk, or it still has a lot of water in it

Click to expand...

I've had some good luck in my woods. I found several dead Dogwood that are under 20% on the meter. The dead, fallen Ash is up around 25%. I'm going to try drying it inside with a fan. Wish me luck.

For next winter, I've got some Ash that should be good if I CSS now. I'm also hopeful that a couple of dead Red Oak that were snapped off by wind a couple of years ago will be good to go in one season; I'm encouraged by the fact that we cut some down Red Oak at my BIL's house in Oct. and he's burning it now (we did split it fairly small.) It's testing around 20% on the meter.

Backwoods Savage said:

which types of wood that are in your area will burn the best.

Click to expand...

This dead Sassafras I found out there is a non-starter in my cat stove. I have to work my butt off to get a light-off with that trash. It appears to be dry enough...15% on the moisture meter. What's up wit dat?? Lesser BTU woods don't work well in a cat stove?

Backwoods Savage said:

cord of wood is equal to 128 cu. in.

Click to expand...

So all I have to do is CSS a little under 3 cu. ft. of wood to have my 3 cords for next winter? SWEET! I'll have three years worth of wood backed up in no time. ;-)

New Guy
Unfortunately you are too far away for any of the suppliers in my area to deliver. I think there is an wood supplier in Hartford the "open hearth" or something like that. My advise is as soon as the snow begins to clear is: Scrounge, scrounge, scrounge. Check Craigs List hourly if possible. I picked up over 12 cords from various sources last year.
There will be a lot of storm damaged trees that folks will want to get rid of. Just stay away from the ones that have trees leaning over their house, want you to have insurance, pay them something for the free wood and wax their car while you're at it.

Backwoods Savage said:

cord of wood is equal to 128 cu. in.

Click to expand...

So all I have to do is CSS a little under 3 cu. ft. of wood to have my 3 cords for next winter? SWEET! I'll have three years worth of wood backed up in no time. ;-)

Click to expand...

Danged if I didn't do it again! :lol: Someday I'll maybe learn to always proof read!

New Fire Guy, you are sure going to miss burning that 2 year old seasoned wood.
Sounds like you just learned the same lesson well all learned. "Get 2 years ahead on your wood supply". (at least)
If some of the wood you are getting is oak, burn it last, it takes 2 years+ to season well.

Sounds like the wood suppliers there are on top of the "seasoned wood". Won't sell unless 1 years seasoned. Good to hear.
Guessing the cost/cord is higher $$$ though.
Most call "seasoned wood", wood that has been split for at least a day or 2. The main reason to get 2 years ahead even if buying wood is that it was typically cut last week.

Now that you know, you may be able to save some $$ & buy "off season" or green wood & store it for a year or 2 to get ahead in the game.

Good luck