Old wood

I have some old wood and branches sitting on the ground. Should I dry them out and burn them when the time comes or dump them in the trash?

Are you talking about burning in your stove or fireplace?

Old wood and well seasoned wood, as long as it is dry are the same. Now wood that is soft and crumbly, isn't what I call old wood, it is "punk" or "rotted" wood. I'd not try to burn that type of wood anywhere.

Burning in a fireplace insert. Sorry.

Some of the wood is not healthy. Thanks Jerry.

I judge old wood as thus, if I can break it or crumble it and it is light as a feather, I put it in the compost pile. Other than that, it gets burned!

If I can get it into the stove before crumbling it, it gets burned!

Only concern is if it's ever been painted, stained, coated w/ preservatives, or other such chemical treatments... Wood of that sort should NOT be burned, indoors or out, as there is potential risk of toxic fumes... If it's wood that hasn't been treated, no reason not to burn it as long as you can get it into the stove. Some folks object to "punky" wood - IMHO it's not a problem to burn punky stuff as long as it's dry (which can be a challenge as punk tends to pick up water like a sponge) However you won't get anywhere near as much heat out of it.

Gooserider

There is not a twig I wont put in my wood stove as long as it is dry.

I love old wood. I have some old white oak that I am burning now. The logs are crumbly on the outer layer but the middle is solid. Reading 10% moisture.

That crumbly on the outer layer is very common with oak and nothing to worry about.

Do you have a next door neighbor? Have you considered throwing the stuff over the fence into his yard?