Don't Delay Your Summer Firewood Effort

[Eric Johnson]

It's easy to put it off, but I think it's a good idea this year to get your firewood cut early and get it drying before the next heating season. Forecasts are calling for a "very active" hurricane season, which is probably going to mean higher prices for all fossil fuels. Those predictions alone are probably enough to bump prices up. Maybe they already have.

Bottom line: I don't want to hear whining on the boards about how you ran out of wood in the middle of winter during a period of record-high nat. gas and fuel oil prices. I know the feeling, but it's easily avoided with a little planning and work--starting right about now!

 

[babalu87]

Good advice. Elk got me in that mindset last season, I am a feww trees away from being two years ahead on wood. I am cutting plenty of pine too, wish I had done it last year.

 

[Highbeam]

5.5 cords in a huge heap in the sideyard plus 3 more cords put up in the shed. I won't run low again this year! I need the ground to dry so I can get the heap into stacks for most efficient drying.

It's no hardwood, cottonwood, alder, and red cedar, plus a little fir, but the price was right and it will heat the home.

 

[MrGriz]

Great advice! I've got a little over 3 cords to split and stack. Also a few trees to take down and process, all standing dead.

My goal this year is to put up all the wood I'll need for this winter and next. Then I'll try to stay two years out; we'll see how it works out.

 

[jpl1nh]

I agree, great advice! I'm working on three years out now, cause you never know whats gonna happen. When good wood comes your way, take advantage!

 

[Corie]

Over this rather short easter break, besides getting some work done concerning my garden, I will be spending most of the time taking care of about 2 cords of mixed unprocessed wood and scrounging darn close to another cord from recent local sources.


Of course, I'll also be repairing a quadrafire, and consulting on three different wood stove installations for three different people.


Actually, its starting to sound less and less like a vacation.

 

[jpl1nh]

Should have let little corrie plan your vaca for you!

 

[Corie]

haha, that's probably even more dangerous.

 

[MustBurn]

I got caught short this year (7+ cords) and am burning whatever I can find right now. I have identified 3 sources of free wood and have started downing trees for next year. My sources have provided enough seasoned wood for the early season and what I'm taken down now will hopefully be ready mid season.

The moral of this story is........ YOU NEVER HAVE ENOUGH WOOD

MB

 

[precaud]

I'm right with ya, Eric. Made my 3rd trip tyhis year to the woods on Sunday, gathering for 2009. With only 1/2 an acre to work with, where to put the log stacks is beginning to be an issue. If they get too far away from my bucking and splitting area, it's a real pain come processing time. My friends already think I'm nuts with all these piles of logs. I plan on adding significantly to that impression, with pleasure!

 

[struggle]

I was the wood pile last night. It is an area on a farm of my friends parents and stopped in to talk to them and they said so are you going to be out here all summer bugging us and raising a ruckass cutting wood. I said probably not as I think I have over 5 years worth of split wood now that is all stacked.

Although I have one corn crib packed so tight with wood I am sure it is not drying so I might be spending the summer restacking everything while listening to a little music on the radio.

If I go out tonight I might take some pictures but hate to hear grown men cry (even on the interent)when they see how much is out there that have so little available to them :lol:


Speaking of nat gas prices I was talking to a neighbor two days ago and they told me there last bill was over $400. Mine was $76

 

[Rich M]

I'm just finishing up splitting 10 cord of sugar maple and beech, 3 cord of that already stacked. Planning on having it wrapped up in time for the trout opener.

 

[Hbbyloggr]

We just sent out 400 plus letters to some of our customers yesterday reminding them to get their wood orders in and start stocking up for the next season. Hope it helps everyone to start thinking ahead.

 

[bcnu]

I have about 3 cords ready for next year with three or 4 trees to process - hopefully another 2-3 cords. I keep looking on Craigs list and see possibilities for free wood. I have lots of room so wouldn't mind getting out 4-7 years. Now all I need to do is buy and install a wood stove :lol: I did see one posting for a chord of wood. Wonder what it sounds like? I do know that free wood is music to my ears.

 

[jpl1nh]

I got caught short this year (7+ cords) and am burning whatever I can find right now. I have identified 3 sources of free wood and have started downing trees for next year. My sources have provided enough seasoned wood for the early season and what I'm taken down now will hopefully be ready mid season.

The moral of this story is........ YOU NEVER HAVE ENOUGH WOOD

MB

Is it true? Can you really have enough wood? I think there is a point where my wife would force me to choose between her and more wood. I think that would be pushing the point of too much wood or am I just whipped?

 

[BrotherBart]

This is the first time in thirty years that I didn't run out of wood and have to go scrounging wet nasty crap in March. I even have just enough for the twenty degree crap coming in the next few days.

Now, for next year? Half a cord done.

 

[velvetfoot]

Well, the local lumber/log guy says "yes, I'm number two on his list but they're up to their axles in mud right now". So, if things go as planned, I'll have my work cut out for me at some point.

 

[DiscoInferno]

Is it true? Can you really have enough wood? I think there is a point where my wife would force me to choose between her and more wood. I think that would be pushing the point of too much wood or am I just whipped?

My wife mostly humors me, but I try not to push my luck. (Like, say, completely covering the driveway with a pile of logs.) I've been adding about one new stack a year (I'm up to 5 disconnected stacks) and keep them mostly out of sight (sides of the house, under the deck, etc.) to try to "fly under the radar", so to speak. Still, on 1/6 acre there is such a thing as "too much wood" if you still want to have a backyard. I'd love to keep 8 cords (2 years supply) but I'll probably keep it around 6-6.5.

 

[Gooserider]

Well it looks like I'll have a cord or so of leftover splits from last years supply, plus the ~2 cords of rounds that I cut up last fall but didn't split as I didn't have room left in the shed. This spring I've been dropping a bunch of skinny trees to try to clean out some of the trash on the lot, but I've put a temporary hold on the chainsaw action till the new chainsaw boots I've just ordered arrive - I'd feel really dumb if I went out now and had an accident, so I figure I'm better off waiting till they arrive...

However I've got about 1/4 cord of rounds that are to small to split stacked in the shed already, and about the same amount in fresh cut rounds that I need to split - trouble is some of it's elm I figure I need to get another load of log length, and I'll be golden. The neighbor claims he has a tree guy that will drop off a triaxle load for $35 - mostly maple and yard trees, but can't complain at that price! If not, I'm pretty sure I can get a load for around $350 or so... At least that's what it was running last year.

Gooserider

 

[Henz]

well, I thought I ahd enough this past season, I had 6 full cord..I didnt..7 solid months of burning..I am planning on a solid cord/month so currently I own 10 cord, 3 of which is already split.