seasoning advise on multiple types of hardwoods

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tumm21

Member
Jul 16, 2011
212
North Jersey
Hey guys. I have been learning a lot from all of you through the years and appreciate all the advise in the past. Here is my next one.. In what order should I burn this wood I have. All my wood is stacked 3 rows deep on pallets. Here is the wood and how much I have and how long its been split and stacked.
Maple-- 4 cords and been seasoning since August 2012.
White/Red Oak--3 cords and been seasoning since August 2012.
This weekend I split and stacked 3 cords of maple and ash mixed.
Also I split and stacked this weekend 1 cord of white oak. I have 2 cords of honey locust still in rounds because I dont have any more room to stack, so I am holding off on that til maybe in the fall. If I had to I could maybe make room for the locust. In what order should I burn for next year and how long should I wait for each species.
 
1) Maple-- 4 cords and been seasoning since August 2012.

2) This weekend I split and stacked 3 cords of maple and ash mixed.

3) White/Red Oak--3 cords and been seasoning since August 2012. (in all reality this needs 2 years yet)

4)Also I split and stacked this weekend 1 cord of white oak. I have 2 cords of honey locust still in rounds because I dont have any more room to (this needs 3 years and the clock for the HL hasent started because it isnt CSS)
 
I'd say get that fresh ash restacked in a single row if possible. Then I would burn the maple and ash for next winter. Leave the 3 cord of red and white till at least winter of 14-15 (15-16 would be better). Get that locust split and save it for 14-15 and the white oak you just split would be good for late 15-16.
 
Oak in multiple deep rows will not dry in NJ.
 
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You feel the oak will not be dry after 2 or 3 summers?
Not in my experience. I've had fresh cut oak, stacked in multiple rows, in the shade for 3 yrs that was still in the high 20's mc.
I stay away from oak unless it fall in my backyard.
 
Hey guys. I have been learning a lot from all of you through the years and appreciate all the advise in the past. Here is my next one.. In what order should I burn this wood I have. All my wood is stacked 3 rows deep on pallets. Here is the wood and how much I have and how long its been split and stacked.
Maple-- 4 cords and been seasoning since August 2012.
White/Red Oak--3 cords and been seasoning since August 2012.
This weekend I split and stacked 3 cords of maple and ash mixed.
Also I split and stacked this weekend 1 cord of white oak. I have 2 cords of honey locust still in rounds because I dont have any more room to stack, so I am holding off on that til maybe in the fall. If I had to I could maybe make room for the locust. In what order should I burn for next year and how long should I wait for each species.

For next year:
1. The 4 cord of maple.
2. The ash.
3. The maple you cut this weekend.
4. Get more wood because that oak needs 3 years before it will be good.

Mixed feelings on the oak on how it is stacked. I normally stack wood in rows of 3. If I have just a little oak, I'll stack it right in with the rest but I much prefer to separate the oak and stack it by itself. I also like to stack the oak in single or double rows. For sure I want that oak in the windiest spot on the property. I like some sun on it too but will settle for wind alone with no problem. I feel too many folks put too much emphasis on sun for drying. Air circulation is what is needed and that says wind. I also will stack the oak very loosely. Never try to stack that stuff tight, so usually 4-4 1/2' in height is plenty else the danged stuff will be falling over. Nothing says you can't stack it in even shorter stacks. And for sure I would top cover it immediately after stacking in your area.
 
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