mfglickman
Minister of Fire
Dennis, I'm sorry to hear of your accident and hope you get well soon. I truly value all of your patience and advice in my first year and look forward to learning more from you in the future.
Breaking the myth
- Thread starter Backwoods Savage
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I just posted in BogyDave's thread that maybe it is time we bust the myth of my wood being all antique stuff. Well, yes there are times when we have lots of wood on hand and then there are also times when there is not so much wood on hand.
For example, we did have 7 years worth of wood on hand a short time ago and even earlier this year I think I posted that we had enough wood cut, split and stacked to take us into the year 2019. So, what about now? Assuming I have enough wood in the barn to burn this winter, still left in the stack is probably enough to go between 4 and 5 winters. So you see, there is not that much wood here at all but plenty for us.
Our cutting season usually begins December 1, then we split in the spring and stack right after splitting. I'd like to cut enough this winter for at least 3 years worth of burning. However, we'll no doubt sell some and no doubt give some away so it is difficult to know just how much wood we'll have on hand when this is all done.
There are a couple points I'd like to make here. First, there are many men on this forum who have much more wood on hand than we do and that makes me proud. Why? Because when I got on this forum there was not much talk about getting 3 years ahead on wood. People really did not understand the importance of putting up wood ahead of time. It really makes me happy now to see others quoting the 3 year wood supply and many have even more than that. Great
Here is another point that we have touched on several times. Let's use Fire Chief Steve as a good example, and Steve is a good man. But Steve had a bad accident a little over a year ago and for sure he was not even sure he could ever cut wood again. But being the good man he is, he had a good supply of wood on hand. But what if he had not put up wood ahead of time? What would he do? In his case it would have been covered well but perhaps not in everyone else's case.
Ask yourself this question: What if I got hurt and could not put up wood for a year or more? Yes, what would you do, especially those who have only a year's worth of wood.
Okay, another case. I did not intend to post this but I too have had another accident and do not know if I will be able to cut wood this winter. What will happen if I can't? Well, first, I will no doubt get many offers where others will gladly come in to cut for us and for that we are very grateful. However, as you can tell, it will be no big deal if we can't cut this winter because we have plenty of wood on hand.
I will rest and quit harping on folks to get wood put up and give it the proper amount of time to dry when everyone gets at least 3 years ahead on their wood supply.
Oh yes, btw, I passed one wood stack just a short time ago and was reminded that there is still a full years worth of wood in that stack even after this winter. That wood was cut in the 2008-2009 winter and then split and stacked in April of 2009. We will burn that in the winter of 2013-2014. No, there is no wood shortage here.
Great post BS..........................just wish I lived closer to you
! I figure I'm about 1 years burning ahead now.
PapaDave
Minister of Fire
I hope the recent accident wasn't too serious Dennis.
There are new folks coming on here all the time talking about how they plan to put in a new stove, and invariably one of us will stress the importance of getting dry wood.
You're a huge part of that.
I've been getting real antsy about the wood supply, since getting the last log load done. We couldn't afford to get another this year, so I've been out on our property getting wood.
Again, you're a huge part of that.
Now, ......I'm not sure if I should thank you or curse you.
J/K
Thank you.
There are new folks coming on here all the time talking about how they plan to put in a new stove, and invariably one of us will stress the importance of getting dry wood.
You're a huge part of that.
I've been getting real antsy about the wood supply, since getting the last log load done. We couldn't afford to get another this year, so I've been out on our property getting wood.
Again, you're a huge part of that.
Now, ......I'm not sure if I should thank you or curse you.
J/KThank you.
red oak
Minister of Fire
Dennis I remember as recently as 3 years ago being very excited that I finished cutting the winter's supply in September - the thought of getting 3 years ahead never occurred to me at all. Now I'm almost there, so your posts have been a big part of that. I really enjoy reading your posts and we all benefit from your experience. Take plenty of time to recover and God bless!
Blue2ndaries
Minister of Fire
Agree w/all that's been said already. You are very much the reason I am 4-5 years ahead (and why I split vertically) 
. Get well soon Dennis!
. Get well soon Dennis!
Blazin
Member
Get well soon BWS. Although I don't post very often, I am an avid lurker and really enjoy reading your posts. I have a number of them saved for reference.
Billybonfire
Feeling the Heat
Get well soon Dennis, your help and advice is much appreciated.
Billy.
Billy.
Cluttermagnet
Minister of Fire
Dennis-
Appreciate the time you have invested in the forums. Early on, you inspired me to work on getting at least three years ahead- and I'm pretty nearly there now. I definitely do have enough wood now so I will not have to burn anything not properly seasoned. I've learned so much from the guys in here who know wood burning, but you do sort of stand out as the guy who makes sure the newcomer learns this important principle- 3 year old splits always burn good and clean.
Be well, my friend, hope you are on the mend...
My little Red Oak wood cubes salute your much more impressive accumulation. I hope to get there some day!
BTW these are now 2 years old, and I do have 3 year old stacks scattered about.
Appreciate the time you have invested in the forums. Early on, you inspired me to work on getting at least three years ahead- and I'm pretty nearly there now. I definitely do have enough wood now so I will not have to burn anything not properly seasoned. I've learned so much from the guys in here who know wood burning, but you do sort of stand out as the guy who makes sure the newcomer learns this important principle- 3 year old splits always burn good and clean.
Be well, my friend, hope you are on the mend...
My little Red Oak wood cubes salute your much more impressive accumulation. I hope to get there some day!
BTW these are now 2 years old, and I do have 3 year old stacks scattered about.
TimJ
Minister of Fire
Dennis, you devote your time to try to respond to most posts and help newbies over and over again that have the same questions. You never tire of helping others with your advise.
onetracker
Minister of Fire
backwoods -
it's all been said here. all i can resound is - thank you for your advice, which comes from a place of deep experience and... wishing you a tenacious recovery.
it's all been said here. all i can resound is - thank you for your advice, which comes from a place of deep experience and... wishing you a tenacious recovery.
Jack Straw
Minister of Fire
Dennis-
Appreciate the time you have invested in the forums. Early on, you inspired me to work on getting at least three years ahead- and I'm pretty nearly there now. I definitely do have enough wood now so I will not have to burn anything not properly seasoned. I've learned so much from the guys in here who know wood burning, but you do sort of stand out as the guy who makes sure the newcomer learns this important principle- 3 year old splits always burn good and clean.
Be well, my friend, hope you are on the mend...
My little Red Oak wood cubes salute your much more impressive accumulation. I hope to get there some day!
BTW these are now 2 years old, and I do have 3 year old stacks scattered about.
Those are some great looking stacks!
firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
Get well soon Dennis . . . but tell us the truth is this "injury" waffle butt when you forgot the cushion for the milk crate?
Dennis you gave me the confidence to look people straight in the eye and tell them I want my wood at least seasoned for 2 years before I burn it. I hope you a speedy recovery and many more years of enjoying the wood cutting and burning said wood.
wishlist
Minister of Fire
Dennis, I wish you a speedy recovery and hope your able to enjoy deer season. You've helped so many more people on this forum than you probably realize. For at least 2 years I was a snooper here, never posted but took advantage of all hearth.com had to offer including your many post on seasoning wood and times required for different species. With that said, I'm 8 years ahead!
bogydave
Minister of Fire
I'm 8 years ahead!
wishlist;
You are by far, in the top .00000001% of wood hoarders
Blaming Dennis for your obsession is not gonna fly. You took it to a whole new level. LOL
When you started, what was your goal?
How did you get to be 8 years ahead?
My wife barely defends my wood now, If I got 8 year ahead, she'd have me committed LOL
Bye the way; Good job
wishlist
Minister of Fire
wishlist;
You are by far, in the top .00000001% of wood hoarders
Blaming Dennis for your obsession is not gonna fly. You took it to a whole new level. LOL
When you started, what was your goal?
How did you get to be 8 years ahead?
My wife barely defends my wood now, If I got 8 year ahead, she'd have me committed LOL
Bye the way; Good job
Thanks Dave. I remember burning wood as a young kid and we would go " north" on state land and scrounge oak etc. Lots of green stuff that didn't burn worth a hoot but Mom and Dad didn't know any better. I always enjoyed cutting, splitting and stacking wood and when we built the addition on the back of the house is when I started researching wood stoves and found this site.
Seen lots of post from some old milk crate splitting guy who was determined to help others with wood seasoning etc... I thought maybe he knows what he's talking about and if he's wrong I would " hunt him down. " Lol....Dennis lives about 20 minutes from me. :D
So before we even had a stove or an addition I had about 4 cords of ash all c/s/s. With the EAB dead ash is everywhere and word got out and friends and neighbors would call me to come get it. So I did! The funny part is my next door neighbor has horses ( they rub and kill trees) and lots of dead ash etc... and I would sometimes come home from work and see more wood thrown over the fence and into my pile. Nice neighbors!
My goal is basically is to always have 3-4 years on hand but I must confess as long as I'm able to I will be having fun and hauling wood. I've had people stop and want to buy wood but I just can't do it.
Dennis, great post ! Here's hoping that You have a speedy recovery . Thanks for sharing Your hard earned knowledge . We all appreciate it .
All the best , John
All the best , John
bogydave
Minister of Fire
My goal is basically is to always have 3-4 years on hand but I must confess as long as I'm able to I will be having fun and hauling wood. I've had people stop and want to buy wood but I just can't do it.
Yea, the fun part is a strange thing.
I know I like doing it, hard work & all I still call it fun. Part of the strange addiction to work being fun. Hard to explain to others
But those of us who call hard work fun, will always have lots of wood.
Being called "strange" fits me, & I handle that just fine
No "government bail out" or "hand out" ; needed or wanted here.
If I don't make it, it's my fault.
Most definitely. In just a few months you won't even think about the hip. In fact, you'll probably wonder why you did not have the surgery sooner.
Great post BS..........................just wish I lived closer to you
Ha! If you lived closer I'd probably help you get 3 years ahead.
Get well soon Dennis . . . but tell us the truth is this "injury" waffle butt when you forgot the cushion for the milk crate?
No fault of the milk crate Jake. That would have been easier for sure.
A quick update. I gave in and saw the doctor today and now wonder. I thought he used a hammer or mallet but when he was tapping my back he said it was only his finger and he was tapping lightly. Man, my back still hurts from that. So, tomorrow morning I'm having an x-ray and we'll go from there.
Shadow&Flame
Minister of Fire
I will be pulling for a simple and speedy recovery...people who havent had back problems dont know what its like. When breathing is painful and you cant even wipe yourself...you know you have a problem. Take it easy...
'bert
Minister of Fire
Dennis - it's pretty obvious that you are well respected by everyone on this site and also responsible for much on the OWD (Obsessive Wood Disorder) on the planet. Get well & enjoy the cake!!
woodchip
Minister of Fire
Dennis, firstly, I wish you well for a speedy recovery, anything that puts you out of action is really bad when you are used to being active.
When I first bought my stove, I had been burning wood on an open fire for some years, and realised very quickly that there is not much wood stove burning experience over here in England.
Looking around to find out how to get the best out of my stove led me to various sites in the USA and Canada, where manufacturers had given various instructions which were well worth reading.
However, there was no way of asking questions, and I kept digging about and found this forum about a month after the pruchase of my stove.
My very first question was answered by you Dennis, and since then you have become a woodburning hero in our house.
Virtually everything I know about wood burning has been learned from this site, and much of that from you.
The first year was a struggle, partly as we didn't have enough well seasoned wood, but partly because I realised the need to get ahead as quickly as possible.
From about 2 months ahead to over 3 years ahead has been achieved in barely 2 years.
No words will ever be enough thanks for the help you have given us woodburners, but I'll say it anyway.......
A huge thanks, and Get Well Soon.
Cos it's a very long way to come out and split wood for you, and I know I'd have to join the back of a very long queue of willing helpers.........
When I first bought my stove, I had been burning wood on an open fire for some years, and realised very quickly that there is not much wood stove burning experience over here in England.
Looking around to find out how to get the best out of my stove led me to various sites in the USA and Canada, where manufacturers had given various instructions which were well worth reading.
However, there was no way of asking questions, and I kept digging about and found this forum about a month after the pruchase of my stove.
My very first question was answered by you Dennis, and since then you have become a woodburning hero in our house.
Virtually everything I know about wood burning has been learned from this site, and much of that from you.
The first year was a struggle, partly as we didn't have enough well seasoned wood, but partly because I realised the need to get ahead as quickly as possible.
From about 2 months ahead to over 3 years ahead has been achieved in barely 2 years.
No words will ever be enough thanks for the help you have given us woodburners, but I'll say it anyway.......
A huge thanks, and Get Well Soon.
Cos it's a very long way to come out and split wood for you, and I know I'd have to join the back of a very long queue of willing helpers.........
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