Would you consider these dead red oak limbs to be seasoned? As in if I collected a bunch of it it could be burned this coming winter in a Blaze King Stove?
Dead red oak limbs? Pre-seasoned?
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stoveliker
Minister of Fire
In my climate and with my tree species, standing dead is rarely dry enough to burn and its even less likely when on the ground.
I had a 20" diameter red oak a few years ago find its way to my house: the top of the tree split and burned just fine that year. Toward the bottom it had more moisture in it and needed a year to season.
Be very careful dropping a dead tree. Branches are not called widowmakers because it sounds cool.
stoveliker
Minister of Fire
My point was that you have to get data; assuming it's good (or still too wet) has a decent probability of getting it wrong and either waiting longer than needed or burning wood that's too wet.
The question "is this dry enough" doesn't have a generic answer in this case.
The question "is this dry enough" doesn't have a generic answer in this case.
Will they be seasoned?, probably not to their fullest. Can you burn it?, yes it will burn and keep you warm but not as good as seasoned wood. If it was all I had I would burn it, and I would check my stove and chimney often. Start stockpiling and get a few years ahead and you won't have to worry in the future.
If you split it down to kindling size and leave it in the dun and wind it’ll probably get dry enough.
Toothpicks dry faster than rounds!
Toothpicks dry faster than rounds!
I agree with using a moisture meter. It takes the guesswork out of it. They aren't
all that expensive and they will last for ages.
all that expensive and they will last for ages.
I deal with a lot of Dead Standing Ash. Oaks density is a bit different but you will probably run into similar stuff.
Once Dead it starts to decay, So you might have some level of punkiness to deal with. Even though it is dead, capillary action will draw moisture up from the ground. The stuff at the bottom will have significantly more moisture than the stuff at the top. Make sure if you test you test different parts so you can get an average.
Once Dead it starts to decay, So you might have some level of punkiness to deal with. Even though it is dead, capillary action will draw moisture up from the ground. The stuff at the bottom will have significantly more moisture than the stuff at the top. Make sure if you test you test different parts so you can get an average.
Well you have a good head start even if it's not below 20%. (which it probably is not until split and stacked for a while.)
