So I'm feeling a bit like a donkey... been preaching about "burn dry wood" in some other threads. Just checked this years wood and it's hit and miss ready. Some of the ash, maple & beech on the outside stacks and top of the inside stacks is under 20% as is what was split last fall, but the lower I go and closer to the inside stacks the higher the m.c. (mostly 23 - 28%). The softwoods are better. Pine is 16%, but a silver maple split in April is still 24%. There's even some ash from a big trunk also split in April or May that still won't register!
I double stack on pallets with a 2' space between each double stack, no top cover. South exposure and lots of wind. Stacks run north/south with 1 end against a garage. West is to the left in the photo...
Opinion 1. Should I get it inside to the wood bin and get a fan or 2 going on it or leave it outside to season more in the wind & sun? It hasn't rained in 5 days, but I was surprised by how much surface moisture was still there... Definitely an argument for top covering, but tarps always rip and plywood blows off.
Opinion 2. Should I consider changing my stacks to running east/west for more airflow between the stacks? Prevailing wind is from the west, lots of south/south west wind in summer; but fairly regular east wind off lake Michigan too.
I'm sure many will say to top cover, which I am considering; but the bigger question is trying to get it a bit more ready for the quickly approaching burning season. I figure to leave the high m.c. ash outside until next year for sure... I'll probably try to "stack loose" with gaps between the stacks when I move it inside to promote air flow.
I double stack on pallets with a 2' space between each double stack, no top cover. South exposure and lots of wind. Stacks run north/south with 1 end against a garage. West is to the left in the photo...
Opinion 1. Should I get it inside to the wood bin and get a fan or 2 going on it or leave it outside to season more in the wind & sun? It hasn't rained in 5 days, but I was surprised by how much surface moisture was still there... Definitely an argument for top covering, but tarps always rip and plywood blows off.
Opinion 2. Should I consider changing my stacks to running east/west for more airflow between the stacks? Prevailing wind is from the west, lots of south/south west wind in summer; but fairly regular east wind off lake Michigan too.
I'm sure many will say to top cover, which I am considering; but the bigger question is trying to get it a bit more ready for the quickly approaching burning season. I figure to leave the high m.c. ash outside until next year for sure... I'll probably try to "stack loose" with gaps between the stacks when I move it inside to promote air flow.
