Ash and maple seasoning

[Jason763]

I'm new to site and have really enjoyed all the information. I'm having my first wood stove installed this fall, an Osburn 1600, I've never really used a stove other than at the cabin.
Question is I started putting up wood last spring. I have 5 cords in drying racks, oak, ash and silver maple. Oak is at 28%, maple 19% and ash 17%. Should the ash and maple be put in the wood shed this spring or is worth drying it more over the summer?

 

[TheBigIron]

I would say you can put the ash and maple away you won't want to over fire your stove, IMO.. Leave your oak where it is until about 18% as well. You could leave some of the ash and maple out over the summer and put away in the early fall and see what that gives you for a reading, but if your already at 19-17% I would store it...

 

[heavy hammer]

Agree give the oak more time, the others won't hurt to put away, but could leave out to season as well. Depends on your wood stacking space. Either way the maple and ash should be good.

 

[Ctwoodtick]

And kudos to you for already having wood put up. You are automatically ahead of 95 percent of first year burners. Welcome aboard

 

[Jason763]

Thank you. I was going to have the stove in last fall, but what's it worth without any dry wood? I trim trees for a living so wood isn't a problem, time is. I've just never put up wood before. Want to do it right the first time.

 

[firefighterjake]

Ash and maple can go in . . . or leave out . . . it will not make much of a difference at this point one way or the other.

 

[Flame On]

Your post caught my eye because I burned those two woods exclusively this winter. A few years ago I had a neighbor take down a giant ash which inspired another neighbor to take down a giant silver maple. My house sits in between. Easiest wood I ever scored.
Anyway, do yourself a favor and keep the two species separated in your shed. The burn qualities are totally different. The maple is great for getting things started or restarted, but the ash is what you want for overnights or long burns. Whenever I did a mixed load it was real obvious which was which, the maple disappears faster.

 

[Jason763]

Thank you all. I have the wood separate in the racks now. Didn't think to keep them separate in the shed, but that will help. I'll have about 4 cords of cherry and walnut to split next month. A lot of work, but I enjoy the quiet time. With ear plugs...