Neighbors Old, Uncovered, Untouched Wood Pile

[jscs.moore]

Hey Guys,
I'm in my first season of burning with my new Hampton HI300 insert installed in September. I've encountered the typical newbie problem...not planning ahead with seasoned wood before the install. I did manage to purchase two cords of hardwood from a local wood dealer that is stacked and covered in my yard...but checking with my moisture reader I won't really be able to burn it until next season I've been burning Kiln dried wood but it's really expensive and, according to the moisture reader, not so dry (some just <20%, but many >20% readings). It sucks because I can't really burn as much as I'd like to due to not have seasoned cord wood at the ready (my bad).

So here's my question...got a neighbor (don't really know him) about a half mile up the road who looks like he's in his 90's. He just listed his house and I haven't seen him touch his uncovered wood pile (about 2 cords) in many years. The wood looks old, sort of grayish...and is probably bone dry. I thought about offering this gent some cash for the wood if he's interested? Would it be advisable to try and burn this stuff. I can't get real close but I assume the wood has been sitting there for about 4 or 5 years untouched?

 

[Babaganoosh]

Sure why not. Go introduce yourself even though he's leaving. It's the neighborly thing to do.

 

[Pennsyltucky Chris]

Go for it. If I suddenly couldn't burn wood, and someone offered to take my stacks off my hands, I'd at least entertain offers. If he's moving, I don't see why he wouldn't take some free $$$.

 

[bholler]

Would it be advisable to try and burn this stuff. I can't get real close but I assume the wood has been sitting there for about 4 or 5 years untouched?

It is absolutly worth checking out but if it has been uncovered for 4 or 5 years there could be a fair amount of rot. So just check it out good first. I could be just fine also

 

[jb6l6gc]

Stuff on bottom will most likely be punky the rest should be ok though

 

[iluvjazznjava]

Go for it - I got a scrounge of some approx ten year old wood this year (mostly larch and birch). It was good and dry and burned great. A little bit of punky stuff in the mix, but it was dry too so I didn't bother trying to remove it.

 

[jscs.moore]

Thanks guys...I definitely think I will make him an offer! Beats not burning due to lack of seasoned wood

 

[peakbagger]

I got a call from a friend this fall asking me to take 3/4 cords of wood as they are selling the house from another state and the realtor told him that the firewood was a detraction to the house. He wanted it gone, and I took care of it. I expect he may give it to you just to declutter the place. Just make sure that if he does that you take the entire pile including the punky stuff on the bottom. Cherry picking it and leaving the junk for him to deal with is definitely low class (unless he has a good place to dump it that you can use)

I would take good look at the wood before making an offer. If there are a lot of softwoods around make sure its not couple of cords of softwood. I will still burn but not much BTUs compared to hardwood. I frequently find abandoned wood piles that were made just to clean up after a storm and usually the wood is softwood.

 

[Kristen]

I reckon he doesn't know what it is worth, so offering him what you are paying for wet-wood might be a nice surprise to him

I'd take your moisture meter round, split some bits and check them, and as other have said here check that the middle of the pile isn't rotten - or make an offer to only pay for what you can use. The rest you might as well have a bonfire to burn on his property, rather than carting it to yours to then doing the same thing

 

[Stinkpickle]

If he's just selling his house, he might let you have it. Definitely worth asking.

 

[kennyp2339]

You never know unless you ask, and the worst possible answer is no.

 

[TheBigIron]

I would definitely ask, like @peakbagger said don't make an offer until you inspect the pile. Wouldn't want to pay for rotten wood.

 

[Wood Duck]

It is common for realtors to recommend homeowners get rid of wood piles when selling a house, or for the buyers to ask the wood be removed before they take possession. Apparently some people view firewood as a potential source of bugs or mold.

 

[Seanm]

Apparently some people view firewood as a potential source of bugs or mold.

I was showing a house to a couple one day. There was a nice neat stack of wood and a cutting station. Inside there was a free standing Napoleon downstairs and upstairs was a beautiful insert with river rock going all the way up to the vaulted ceilings. I was telling them how great the stoves were and how much they would save on heating bills, they told me they were dirty and would be the first thing that would go if they purchased the house. Wood stacks and wood stoves are like swimming pools,,,, they are worth a mint to some and are junk status to others. Ive also had people that are like me where we are talking wood stoves, where to put the install, where will the stacks go.... my kind of people!

 

[mass_burner]

You never know unless you ask, and the worst possible answer is no.

...and a "get off my lawn!"

 

[rippinryno]

I would definitely ask. I once picked up a picknick table and playset off of craigslist. The owner said they were moving so they cut me a deal on it. As i arrived I noticed a very large old pile of wood, split and stacked. I messaged right as i was leaving and asked what they were doing with the wood. The woman replied "take as much as you want". So for 2 days I made trips 5 miles round trip with my 6x8 utility trailer. I got a good stack going with that wood, it was uncovered and roughly 5 years old, but it had no trouble burning. I would consider that wood fully seasoned even though it was uncovered it was plenty dry.

 

[blades]

Well with all the talk about top covering I went and did that on some of my stacks- Course Mother nature and her 50 mph winds have had other ideas So I am running about 50/50 . Just bringing some in under cover for a week ( garage) is enough to get things reasonable and a couple days inside in the stove room takes care of the rest of the dampness. The wood is mostly 4 years in the stacks- mixed hardwoods, the little bit of fruit wood included in this are blooming but it all burns just fine.

 

[Oldman47]

...and a "get off my lawn!"

Sounds like a Gran Torino answer to me.

 

[BrotherBart]

 

[Kenster]

Don't let not being covered deter you. Nothing wrong with that. I don't worry about covering wood that I won't be burning within a few days, but then, I don't have to worry much about keeping snow off the stacks. Uncovered wood probably dries quicker than wood stored in a barn or worse, tarped. Even the punky pieces will burn great, if they're dry. Punk is just like a built in firestarter.

 

[Pennsyltucky Chris]

2 seasoned cords, even if the bottom row or two is punked, would be a bargain for $200-$250. Ask if he want's it disposed to help sell the house. Then up the bidding from $0. Decide what it's worth, and cut the negotiations there.