If I C/S/S this Spring (probably March/April) will it be too early to burn next winter? I am thinking of cutting oak and maple. How about if I C/S/S red oak December '08? Will that be OK?
Cut & Split this spring...too late?
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Are you cutting live stuff? My wood supply for the 08/09 winter was red oak that had been on the ground for quite some time from some select-cut logging. Dad worked up the tops in Feb. and March of '08. We put the rounds in a dry, well ventilated barn for the summer and the fall. I split the rounds in later October '08 and early November '08, and we burned this all winter with very little buildup in our chimney (just the fine, brown, paper thin stuff that turns into a cup full of coffee grounds when you sweep it). It tested out from 18%-25% moisture content, but we did make smaller splits for my Endeavor.
Now, if we'd have cut that tree while it was alive, I suspect there's no way it would have burned this winter.
Now, if we'd have cut that tree while it was alive, I suspect there's no way it would have burned this winter.
It REALLY depends on the conditions.
We c/s/s all through the summer into october. We went through our wood faster than anticipated, and right now are burning stuff that was cut in august/september that was stacked right in the wond/sun, and currently is 22% mc and doesnt sizzle at all and burns nice.
conditions really play a big role.
We c/s/s all through the summer into october. We went through our wood faster than anticipated, and right now are burning stuff that was cut in august/september that was stacked right in the wond/sun, and currently is 22% mc and doesnt sizzle at all and burns nice.
conditions really play a big role.
I'm counting on our Georgia summer to dry out everything I've cut including some super wet oak. If it doesn't then I'll probably just give it up.
Time needed to season red oak
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/35067/
How long for white/red oak to season?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/34790/
seasoned oak
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/34708/
Oak Seasoning
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/32976/
seasoning dead oak
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/17805/
Is a year long enough to season oak?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/13847/
3 Year Seasoned Oak, But is it Ready to Burn??
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/8821/
3 year old downed oak logs still not seasoned?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/1005/
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/35067/
How long for white/red oak to season?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/34790/
seasoned oak
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/34708/
Oak Seasoning
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/32976/
seasoning dead oak
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/17805/
Is a year long enough to season oak?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/13847/
3 Year Seasoned Oak, But is it Ready to Burn??
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/8821/
3 year old downed oak logs still not seasoned?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/1005/
Joe I know folks that C&S;in the spring and burn in the fall using maple,ash and elm. Oak I'm not sure about...never burned it.
savageactor7 said:
Many years we have cut, but in the winter. Then spring split and stack and use that wood the following heating season. However, I would never attempt to do this with oak!
If at all possible, get the stuff felled now, before the sap gets up. You can buck it up later, but get it off the stump now and there will be less moisture to evaporate.
In addition to the above, when you stack it, for sure if you plan on burning any next year, do your best to stack it loosely, stack it in the sun and especially where the wind will hit the side of the stack. Do not cover it which will allow for better evaporation of the moisture. Late next fall or early winter, cover the top of the stack only. Do not cover the sides or ends.
btw, welcome to the forum Joe.
Joe-
As you've read, there are a lot of variables involved. I can only say that if you want to make sure that oak is ready to burn next year, split it small and cover the stack.
Almost a year ago I posted this thread https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/15625/ about some red oak I scrounged.. I split it and stacked it within about a month with the intention of burning it in 2009/2010. Well, I went through a LOT more wood this winter than I expected and I'm now burning this red oak that was cut less than a year ago. The smaller pieces are completely dry. The medium sized splits, say 3-4" thick, are dry enough to burn- about 20% on my moisture meter. The larger splits, say 4-6" are still pretty wet in the middle. This wood is burning great and should, I hope, help me make it 'till spring.
Good luck!
Josh
As you've read, there are a lot of variables involved. I can only say that if you want to make sure that oak is ready to burn next year, split it small and cover the stack.
Almost a year ago I posted this thread https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/15625/ about some red oak I scrounged.. I split it and stacked it within about a month with the intention of burning it in 2009/2010. Well, I went through a LOT more wood this winter than I expected and I'm now burning this red oak that was cut less than a year ago. The smaller pieces are completely dry. The medium sized splits, say 3-4" thick, are dry enough to burn- about 20% on my moisture meter. The larger splits, say 4-6" are still pretty wet in the middle. This wood is burning great and should, I hope, help me make it 'till spring.
Good luck!
Josh
I cut a bunch over the summer and fall and only split the red oak. I would not burn any red oak that i split this spring - just not worth it.
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