Fell a little behind due to and abnormally cold winter here in Pennsylvania, weeks of single digit temps, I used way more than ever before. I got a couple cords of ash cut split and almost stacked all this past week. Cut it 3-5 inches just to be safe . I’m pretty confident it will be ready to go for this next season. Just wanted to hear some opinions. Thank you
How long do you guys give ash ?
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Fell a little behind due to and abnormally cold winter here in Pennsylvania, weeks of single digit temps, I used way more than ever before. I got a couple cords of ash cut split and almost stacked all this past week. Cut it 3-5 inches just to be safe . I’m pretty confident it will be ready to go for this next season. Just wanted to hear some opinions. Thank you
I'e split ash in April and it was all 18-19% in November. Of course where it's stacked makes a difference but I didn't criss cross stack, just stacked it in my wood rack. I think I have an ideal wood seasoning spot from what I hear from others. Faces south, catches any wind since its the highest spot in my yard.
nrford
Minister of Fire
ValleyCottageSplitter
Feeling the Heat
I was able to season in 5mo, but in a single layer covered with sun. 2-3 months in the woods, 2 rows deep was going slow and would probably need 12mo.
Freshly killed or standing dead? Sometimes they can start under 25%.
Have a pic of how it was stacked?
Freshly killed or standing dead? Sometimes they can start under 25%.
Have a pic of how it was stacked?
It was fresh fallen, I single stacked in a windy area that gets sun til about 1 pm.. I’ll put up a pic tomorrow. It’s a high spot & wood always seasons fast up there .
Best spot to season wood is an open area, higher spot facing south. I've seen some wood burners that want the wood out of the way and stack it in the middle of trees, going to take longer if you do that.
You can get it to 20% or less moisture in about 5 months. Cut it in May and burn it in October. Stack it loose and in an area with lots of wind and sun. Split it so it's about 3-4" thick splits. It'll be fine.
Just lucked into this, my brother had a big ash tree taken down , I now have more ash than I know what to do with .. mayb the only wood I burn next season as I only have a cord or two of oak left over , but now I split about 3 cords last week & ill
Work on this load now .. anyone ever burn only ash for a whole season ?
D8Chumley
Minister of Fire
I hear ya on the cold winter Chris, I didn’t feel like doing much c/s/s but now that it’s warming up I’ve gotten some done. I have a ton of ash here, keeps falling on the power line in high winds so I’m getting ready to do some clearing to move my power line. I use a lot of ash, it’s a great medium wood for me. And there’s a lot of it available
Slocum
Member
Yes, it works fine. The coaling phase isn't as long as oak though. It's nice to mix it with beach, cherry, or oak. It will leave coals to work in though.
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ohlongarm
Minister of Fire
I always give ash a year minimum,the older it gets the harder it gets,the better it burns.
Ive been known to go as long as 3 hours after splitting to toss it into the boiler, but thats the exception, not the rule. I like it to smolder reel good for aday or too else it catches the tires in the back into a roaring fire.
