MC CONFUSION

[Garbanzo62]

I had a dead pine come down last year. I CSS hoping I could burn it this fall.I put a fresh split on three of the pieces. All measured between 14 and 18%. I've been mixing this in with some ash for the past few weeks. Today, I pulled a piece that seemed damp. I put a fresh split on it and it measured over 40%. A check on a second piece came in at 27%. Most of the stack has been burned already, but since I had to move more up to the house, I checked every remaining piece. 80+ % of the pieces checked between 14 and 18% . But other 20% came in between 27 and 40%. Why would there be such a difference when the same tree, CSS at the same time and stacked in the same place. These were top covered a year ago. All I can think of is the pieces on the bottom of the pile did not get as much wind/sun as the other pieces.

 

[begreen]

Did the wood sit on the ground for a while, either in log form or after splitting but before stacking?

 

[Garbanzo62]

Yeah, After I cut, the logs were in a pile before I split and Stacked. No more than a few weeks.

 

[begreen]

That would be my guess for the dampness. The splits will soak up moisture when on the ground, especially in wet weather.

 

[Garbanzo62]

I am just surprised that after a year of being CSS, that moisture did not dry out. Well it is water under the bridge at this point, have as small stack of pine that will sit a while longer.

 

[xman23]

Is it getting punkey? I've never used a moisture meter. But I can tell when it's good..

 

[gthomas785]

The splits closer to the ground can absorb moisture from the ground when stacked. Even if you put it up on pallets. I always lay a plastic sheet under my stacks and make sure it's pitched to prevent puddles. No ground moisture that way.

 

[Garbanzo62]

These were stacked on some Tree limbs I used as pole and between 2 trees, So that might be a cause. Especially water running down the trunk

 

[gthomas785]

That would do it. Do you know if these particular pieces were the ones up against the tree?

 

[Garbanzo62]

At least one of them yes, but the others I tested were not. However they were closer to the bottom of the stack where ground moisture may have come into play.