I admit it (finally), I have a problem...

[Matt Ruggeri]

All the time lurker, rare poster here. Came here to finally admit it, Yes, I have a serious problem, I'm an addict, bordering on hoarder! Every moment of my free time the last week has been spent moving, re-sorting my stacks, and C/S/S'ing stuff that was picked up last winter. Wanting to get everything ready, I really don't like working outside in the middle of winter, so figure i'll get everything done before Christmas!

Here's a few pics of my helpers today (my 2 boys, 4 and 6). The 2 year old taking a whack at the stuff the Log Splitter won't get.




Moving my 2 year dried (hate saying 'Seasoned') Maple/Ash/Elm closer to the house. 12' long rows, spaced. 4 rows deep. There's another 4 behind me. Having to randomly split and check Moisture, but almost all is below 20%. Yeah, i'm starting to hoard!

We built a rack for the ready stuff next to the house (all oak flooring leftovers). 4 summers of dry time on that Oak, and it's still borderline (16 - 22% on tested splits)

 

[PDXpyro]

Moving my 2 year dried (hate saying 'Seasoned') Maple/Ash/Elm closer to the house.

--Yep, it took me a little while to figure out that "seasoned" is a heavily loaded and dangerous term in this forum! I'd previously assumed that seasoned meant SEASONED, as I'd define it: below 20% MC right down to the centers of the largest splits, and 100% ready to burn. Live and learn.

Looking good there, and this is at least a useful and mostly healthy addiction.

 

[Oregon aloha]

Growing up the wood was seasoned after 3 months (one season) and we never would burn wood that wasn't seasoned. My Dad would say "wood doesn't burn well if it's still green".
Dad it's still green. I just never knew it.

 

[PDXpyro]

We wouldn't describe a person as "seasoned" in a particular profession, or whatever, after just a few months' experience. Same with wood.

 

[PDXpyro]

As a fellow Oregonian, I'll go against the grain and note that Douglas fir, for instance, in ideal conditions can indeed be brought dangerously close to a burnable state in three or four months -- as long as those months don't have an "r" in them, with the possible exception of September, and perhaps October in favorable years.

 

[Oregon aloha]

I have 5 month old Doug fir that is down to 20%, but we never waited that long those years ago.

But if your from Oregon you know we can have "r" in every month. RAIN...

We have a reputation to maintain. "Oregonians don't tan they rust"

The Oregon rain fest is July 1 - June 30th. Come celebrate with us.

.

 

[blades]

When purchasing split cords, seasoned usually means, liberally sprinkled with bar oil and scented with 2 stroke fumes.

 

[Matt Ruggeri]

As a fellow Oregonian, I'll go against the grain and note that Douglas fir, for instance, in ideal conditions can indeed be brought dangerously close to a burnable state in three or four months

Very True. We had a few Fir's and some Cedars come down last February, Cut/Split/tossed aside figuring they'd go in the firepit pile since it was empty, by September they were down to 18%. It broke my heart to burn nice dry splits in a hole in the ground! The leftovers are now going in the "indoor" pile!
Not seasoned, just old! Oregon Rain Fest? Sounds fun.

 

[red oak]

Hello Matt and welcome!

It looks like you have some good help!

I'm not sure if this is the right place to come for help with your problem!