I've been trolling this site for the last hour or so looking at wood data, primarily because in church this morning a guy commented to me, "Cottonwood and Pine are both terrible to burn, what you want is Ash or Hickory!" Well, it turns out cottonwood and pine are about all I have access to.
So, I found this link on one of these threads: http://mb-soft.com/juca/print/firewood.html
And I read it. It has some really interesting info that sounds like the guy knows what he's talking about, but I wanted to make sure that he was right on a few points.
1. Two weeks ago I cut up a standing dead lodgepole pine as well as felling a lodgepole pine and cutting them to firewood-size lengths. Based on the article (above) these will not be seasoned for 9 months. Is this accurate? I was hoping since they'd been dead for a while I could burn them this year. Since I am a newbie, I'm afraid (not having anything to compare them to) that I will never know I'm having "bad" wood unless you all clue me in.
2. Also he noted in the article that a tarp over the wood "is not worth the expense unless you live in a very wet area." I have found other articles on this forum and other places that indicate a tarp is necessary..
3. He says the "standard" length to cut firewood is 16". I think I have been going about 24". I understand it doesn't matter a whole lot (my fireplace will take them up to 30" or so I think), but I was curious what length you all use. (Interestingly I must admit that I did a horrid job being consistent on this matter--I think I have some that are 15" and some that are 30"! I am hoping for improvement!).
In short, I think there is a lot of mis- or bad information out there, and thank anyone who can offer advice.
Sam
So, I found this link on one of these threads: http://mb-soft.com/juca/print/firewood.html
And I read it. It has some really interesting info that sounds like the guy knows what he's talking about, but I wanted to make sure that he was right on a few points.
1. Two weeks ago I cut up a standing dead lodgepole pine as well as felling a lodgepole pine and cutting them to firewood-size lengths. Based on the article (above) these will not be seasoned for 9 months. Is this accurate? I was hoping since they'd been dead for a while I could burn them this year. Since I am a newbie, I'm afraid (not having anything to compare them to) that I will never know I'm having "bad" wood unless you all clue me in.
2. Also he noted in the article that a tarp over the wood "is not worth the expense unless you live in a very wet area." I have found other articles on this forum and other places that indicate a tarp is necessary..
3. He says the "standard" length to cut firewood is 16". I think I have been going about 24". I understand it doesn't matter a whole lot (my fireplace will take them up to 30" or so I think), but I was curious what length you all use. (Interestingly I must admit that I did a horrid job being consistent on this matter--I think I have some that are 15" and some that are 30"! I am hoping for improvement!).
In short, I think there is a lot of mis- or bad information out there, and thank anyone who can offer advice.
Sam