Ravenvalor said:
Hi Fossil:
My guess is this - stored in huge pile in sun with low humidity and a minimum amount of wind, 16" long by 3" in diameter, species is white oak, red oak, hickory and beech.
Jim
You said above it was cut down 6 months ago? From what I understand from the smart guys here, if the trees were cut in February, you're a bit ahead of the game alerady, even where you are, I would think, since there's supposed to be less sap in the live trees in winter to begin with.
If it's been lying around in a huge pile in the open, the stuff that was on top is going to be in much better shape than the stuff on the bottom. If I were you, I'd plan on sorting it all piece by piece, separating out the oak that will need the longest seasoning for next year, and putting the medium-seasoned pieces real loosely in the windiest, sunniest spot you've got.
I went through last winter with partially seasoned wood, including a couple of cords that went through the same thing it sounds like yours has, sitting in a big ol' pile in a flield, but not delivered to me until December, so no chance for any further drying outdoors. I did OK, but it wasn't a lot of fun. You'll do better than I did, though, it sounds like.
Small splits and loose fire-buliding are essential, which also means frequent tending of the fire, but if you can get the stove temp up good and high to start with by using a few pieces of the driest stuff, the small splits and some artificial help with a compressed log or two, the semi-seasoned pieces will burn OK if they're not too big. 3" sounds pretty good, and if that's what he really brings you, you'll be in much better shape both for drying and for burning.
But do get yourself at least a cheap moisture meter so you know for sure what you're dealing with.
