Scored some maple today...

[claybe]

I picked up two loads of silver maple today from a tree cutting service off of CL. I think it will come out to 2 cords! So how should I dry it and for how long??? Will it be ready for next season??? It was wet!

 

[jdp1152]

It'll be dry by next season if you get it split and stacked. One summer is all it needs. People will bash it, but it's a decent wood IMO. Gives a nice layered burn with better hardwoods. Ash content is pretty high and you'll notice a difference, but anyone who has bought mixed hardwoods has a healthy dose of it. I just dropped a note in with my town because there are 5-6 of them down on town land. I'm hopeful they'll let me harvest them.

 

[Locust Post]

Yes sir...get it split and stacked single row SOON and it will give you some good heat. Not the longest burning wood but gives very good heat. Had a firebox full of it last night. Course it was 2 years cut and split.

 

[claybe]

Going to split this weekend. Should it go in "squares" or should I stack it?

 

[jdp1152]

split it up in the manner that is best for you and your stove. Not exactly sure what is meant by 'squares'. Just know you need it exposed to sun and wind post haste.

 

[claybe]

Stacked in a square type manner like I have seen in some of the pictures here. Instead of stacked on top of each other....does that make sense??? Apparently it dries faster that way???

 

[Locust Post]

I think you mean a holzhausen. I would just stack it in a straight row on top of each other and a single row in a location that will get some good wind and sun.

 

[rdust]

I think you mean a holzhausen. I would just stack it in a straight row on top of each other and a single row in a location that will get some good wind and sun.

I was thinking he means cribbed typed stacking for the entire stack. When I think holzhausen I don't think "square". Either way the single rows stacked normal is on point.

I really like silver/soft maple, I find it burns well for me.

 

[Ralphie Boy]

Stack it in single rows, one piece on top of another, don't build any squares with it this year. Wait to the next year for building "squares" to save space in your storage area, if you have any left, .
Put your stacks where they will get as much sun as possible and the wind blows through the stacks. You should have good burnable wood for next year and even better the year after. As said earlier, its good for the shoulder seasons and for mixing with well seasoned wood like oak or locust.

 

[BobUrban]

Cribs(NS/EW) are typically just to keep the ends from blowing out on stacks that do not have anything to hold the stacks in like fence posts. I do not believe there is a bit of difference in drying time between cribs or stacks that could be worth the effort and you will get most "space" bang for the buck stacking as usual with cribs or another holding system on the ends.

Good score!

 

[Woody Stover]

If you 'crib' or cross-stack it in single rows, lots of wind will blow through it. If you've got the room you could do that.
I've got some Silver to split and stack. The live Red Maple I had last year dried faster for me than anything including dead Ash and Cherry, so I back-burnered it to get some Ash stacked....but now jdp1152 is making me nervous. I'm only one man, fer cripe sake.

you need it exposed to sun and wind post haste.

 

[jdp1152]

I wouldn't be nervous....just get it stacked before spring or else!

 

[Gasifier]

Nice snag on that wood claybe. What has the winter been like out there where you are? What kind of temps and how much snow have you had?

 

[claybe]

Very mild out here in the Denver area. Drought is bad...worse than last year. We need snow If we don't get snow the fire danger will be way worse this year.

 

[jdp1152]

we've got 2 ft coming on Friday. You're welcome to a foot of it if you take my snow blower and clear the driveway.

 

[claybe]

Saw that and I will take it all and shovel your drive and stoke the fire My girls really want to make a snow man!

 

[jdp1152]

DEAL!